How to: 95.5-97 Grille swap onto 01-04

So I’m looking to do this mod to my 98’. I already have the ARB up front, so it looks like all I need is the headlight buckets and aiming gear, brackets etc, and drill the holes and square them up and track down a grill?

 

FYI, using the old plastic headlight buckets (thanks Madjik) worked relatively well. You end up having a lot of trimming to get to fit. I used a set of aftermarket adjustment screws (eBay- came from Thailand) and inserts. I suspect I will replace them with an OEM set - kinda cheap, but for short term should do. Longer adjustment screws would be nice,
I bought a set of used headlight brackets and rings and two springs on the bottom- outer spring pulling down, inner pulling up. You remove the round knob bolts that the plastic headlight snaps onto, and some m6 x1.2? bolts threaded in from the backside , a screw mount made out of about 2-1/2” piece of plumber’s tap folded in half, a serrated locknut to secure it. (If you have better quality PT a single piece might do, just doubled it in case) Still have to get the little inserts for the corner lights....
I think the best camo is an ARB....

 

anybody else do this swap to a 2001-2004? I want to do my 03 with and 95-97 front. I love this earlier style and i had to have 4 doors...Id love to see more pics of this earlier grill on the newer trucks. Any issues with putting a 95-97 bumper on a 2001-2004? Is it all the same mounting points? Will it work with my fenders and flares? I don't have plans for a aftermarket bumper like an arb so Id have to get the 95-97 bumper to work.

all this talk about the headlight housings is greek to me as im unfamiliar as to what i would need to get headlight wise for my 2003... can you shed some more light?

 

would love to do this to my 02 change it to something older

 

Going to be doing this swap to my double cab soon. Pretty sure I have all the parts needed. Going to use a 95-97 2wd bumper instead as I prefer the look of the turn signals in the bumper.
Parts I have:
Hood and latch
4wd Grille
Headlights w bracket
2wd Bumper w signal lights

Probably missing some misc. stuff that I overlooked that's gonna piss me off in the process lol.
Gonna try to do it without the core support.

 

Were you able to put the headlight brackets in without cutting the metal like Madjik did on his? having a really difficult time putting my headlights in

 

I am looking forward to seeing your final project, hope you figure it out. I am kicking off a DC build late this year, and would like to do this swap.

 

Not the best photo. Had to work out a bunch of quirks, still working on it. I must've drilled the horizontal screw a little too low as the headlight brackets are only in place by the horizontal screw and a spring in the top outside corner on both. The grille is holding them in place and all with zipties.
Also decided to go with a 2wd bumper and looking for a chrome valance. If you plan on keeping a stock bumper you need the bumper brackets from a 95-97 as well.
As far as corner lights will probably buy a set for 95-97 with the screws and just purchase the plastic screw mounts.

 

I really appreciate the insight and the pic. I’ll have a welded up bumper so that won’t be an issue, I think it’s coming out good though!

 

Any updates with pictures? I’m still debating whether I should do this or not. Would love to see more 01-04s with this older front end.

 

I am fixing my truck to sell as I found a good 153k mile motor for it for $500 at pick and pull.
also my hood, fenders, and front end are FUBAR.

so my question is, can I just swap over a complete front clip off a 95-97 to my truck.

By front clip I mean hood, fenders, inner fenders, core support, bumper, grille, and lights.

I want to do this swap to make the truck look better.

Since my last time here I have fixed most of the issues on my truck and now am down to motor swap and rear axle pinion bearing.
I am welding in my frame patches later this weekend.

will the fenders work or will I have to find some different fenders for it?

 

Another question is, can the 95-97 mirrors bolt onto my doors?