Madjik Man's laugh-at/with-him "build"

Good luck.

 

The grill swap is pretty clean man, looks pretty tight. Interested in seeing some pics of the color matched grill while it's clean, I've been considering doing the same I just haven't seen any other trucks that have it.

 

Thanks. Always loved your truck.


The color match looks really good. The roads have been messy ever since I put it all together. I've been dying to clean the truck

 

Looks legit. Ive never seen a 95-97 with color matched red.

 

Grill swap looks great man. What gaps are you talking about? Looks good!

 

Jordan, you know that the gap between the bumper and grill is 'adjustable', right?

 

Jonathan,

No I did not.

Would you care to elaborate?

PS. Only if it doesn't involve a BFH, grinder or cutting my cab to shreds

Sincerely,
Jordan

 

That works too, I suppose.

But you should be able to loosen the bolts where the bracket attaches to the frame, push it back into place, and re-tighten. If it's not enough, you could loosen the bolts on the other side and bring it down to make it at least even with the driver's side.

I can't find any pics. I suck at the internet. IIRC, Ben had the same issue a couple years back, he might still have a pic.

 

The only thing is the top edge of the bumper/valence is perfectly in line with the bottom edge of the grille and fenders. If I "tilt" the bumper/valence up to fill that gap, then the sides that wrap around to the fenders won't have even lines.

The issue is the 98-00 bumper/valence drops down in the center. That contour is to accommodate the 98-00 grille which sits lower than both the 95-97s and 01-04s. So a gap is created between the bottom of the 95-97 grille and 98-00 bumper/valence.

When I literally held up the 01-04 bumper/valence I now have to the front of my truck, I believe it will line up much cleaner with the 95-97 grille.

We'll see

 

You can still see that there is a little gap with the stock set up but not nearly as pronounced.

Strangely the 98-00 grille doesn't sit lower than the 95-97 as I thought. They're both lined up with the bumper fillers.

I figure come spring time when I'm finishing the 01-04 bumper I have, I will remove the grille and spray paint the a/c condenser, that bracket, et al black. That should hide it better

 

Maybe it's the angle of the photo, but it looks to me like the driver's side corner of the bumper/valance is sagging. Looks like no gap on the passenger side and at least a 1/2" gap on the driver side.

 

I think it may be the angle... I'll have to look closer.

At this point both of the sides of the bumper are being held on by zip ties. Those piece of crap white plastic brackets that get bolted on the side have broken off.

 

x2

 

I didn't really wash it. Just wiped it down with a wet sponge to give you a better idea. Didn't wipe the fenders down either so they are appearing lighter/grungier than the grille, etc

 

I just adjusted it as best as possible. The driver's side is literally only being held on by those two 14mm bolts. The side (which appears sagging) by the fender has nothing holding it on. It's only an 1/8" larger gap than the passenger side.

 

So Jon comes over and I thought, "today will be the first day we just hang out and not mod/molest a truck."

Next thing I know he must have slipped Ol' Red a roofie... because he has Ol' Red pretty much naked and is groping him...

I have no idea what he's making my truck do to him here



Took the grille and bumper/valence off to accomplish a couple of things.

1. See if the 01-04 bumper/valence would work. Negative ghost rider. It just did not match up with the 95-97 grille whatsoever.

2. To paint all the crap on the core support so it blends in behind the grille better.

3. Most importantly... put Jon's 01-04 horns on my 98. NO MORE "MEEP MEEP!!!"

Surprisingly Jon wants the wussy 98 horn so a part of Ol' Red will be mobbing up rocks and racing in the desert.

Painting behind the grille... gave Ol' Red some eyelids



Here's where I mounted the 01-04 horns. One in the stock 98 location and the other underneath the headlight. There was a threaded hole already in the core support and I just so happen to have the perfect bolt for it. It's the perfect spot because it does not interfere with the 95-97 grille.



Also took the bug guard off





I also tricked Jon into putting himself in a very vulnerable position... almost had my way with him.

 

Damn..the front end looks so good!

 

Thanks man. Obviously couldn't have done it without you.

Jon's warped mind is already concocting something that might just take it to a new level.

 

btw - Ol' Red's nickname is Zippy.

Because there are more zip ties holding him together than bolts and clips.