Missing the hell out my first gen, what are my options to clone a 95?

I owned a 95 v6 standard cab and kick myself everyday for selling it. The more I see them on the road, the more I want another one. The problem is, I only like the 95-97 front end so that's the one I want, but so does everyone else. They are impossible to find.

If I am able to find a 98-2000, how can upgrade the front end to the 95? I have read all of the threads regarding the conversion, but it seems like i'd have to do some cutting or grinding and the front would still look mickey moused. If i change the core support would it be "plug and play" for the grille, bumper and headlights?

Or if I can find an 01-04 how hard is the conversion?
I realize im looking for a unicorn so just trying to cheat the system a bit.

 

They come up every couple weeks on Bring a trailer. They are nice examples so not cheap. But I wasn't aware they were more highly coveted or rare.

https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/tacoma-n1x0-1994-2005/?yearFrom=1995&yearTo=1997

 

Definitely much more than I can spend, but damn some of those are clean and look so good. Almost 30k for some of them.

 

I can do the swap for you and make it look good. I've cut a million tacomas, been in autobody industry for 20yrs.

Prob easier to find a cheap semi rough 95-97 and bring it back to life.

 

See, that's the kicker, is I would strongly prefer to not cut/weld/change anything which I don't even think is possible.
Except the core support, I know that needs to be welded in but that's fine and easy to do.

 

The headlight mounts are way different, don't think is possible. But properly prepped, painted and corrosion protected welds will be fine.