I am looking at swapping out my 03 Ranger XLT stock grill (the aluminum or alumnimun looking) for another type.

Here is what I have: (not my truck, but a close resembalnce)


Here is what I want:


Now is it possible to do this?

Thanks

 

it appears the lines will match up but the trim wont line up so that will have to be changed and im pretty sure the new front ends are taller

 

XLT,XL and Edge front end swaps have been done by a lot of folks. You need the grill, grill support, bumper and bumper cover. The XLT hood will work, but some swap that as well.

For the grill, you need to replace the surround as well.

 

you can put the 4x4 grille on there but there will be a gap above the grille, you will need the 4x4/Edge hood to make a perfect match and the 4x4 bumper will bolt on and fit perfect you DONT need to change the grille support (header panel)

 

theres a difference between headerpanel and core support...


the header panel is what the grilleattaches to, and goes under the lights as well, the core support is what it all clips and bolts on to

so yes, you need the grille support

 

NO U dont need to change the core support because the header panels are the same for a 4x2 and 4x4 (according to Parts Train) i guess the only way to make sure is to call the ford garage and compare #'s. i know when i put my 03 front on my 99 ranger everything bolted right up. as far as i know all the core supports from 98+ 2 and 4 wheel drive are the same

 

Alright

So basically swap out most of the front end panels, and possible the hood too. Any problems with the front corner panels (i.e wheel wells)?

Thanks for all the info.

 

^^^i like his avatar

yall do realize that the edge hood is exactly the same as the 02 FX4 XLT hood right? if you want proof take a gander at my cardomain site.

 

loneFX4, My avatar (for now) is a decal that will be in my window once the damn spring comes! Great little Austrailian company that also auctions on ebay. You can checl them out at http://www.stickerart.com.au/

As for the hood discussion, I will check with my dealer (where it just so happens that my mother works there and my brother is now an apprentice mechanic - he got the hands on gene, I got the brains! ), about the hood situation.

Do you think there will be a problem with the front quarter panels?

 

just take off the whole 2wd grille shell and replace it with the Edge/4x4 one its a complete bolt on. yah the hoods are the same there a 2wd hoods are the same and 4x4/Edges hood which will bolt right up too on cardomain there is a kid with a lifted 4x2 and a Edge grilll with a 4x2 hood, it dont look that bad, but i'd change it i got my grille for 40 bucks off ebay + shipping and my hood for 175 at the auto recycler

 

Alright,

So let me get this straight. If I want to swap out the grills only, they will fit, but there might be gap at the hood location? I can get my hands on the grill no problem, the wreckers here have one that is in good condition. The other parts might be more difficult, and I might need to paint them. Please correct me if I a wrong.

Thanks.

 

or you could just get a billet or speed grill and paint the lower valance to match the body

 

OK this may sound very "newbie" like, but what is billet and speed grill?

 

Billet and speed grills replace the original grill. Billets are slats made from aluminium "billets", hence the name. Speed grills have diamond shaped holes, and are named from grills used on race cars. There a numerous exmaples out there. Some are even more elaborate.

To answer the question, yes you can swap any or all parts around. There may be some gap if you just do the Edge grill and surround without doing the hood, but I've seen people do that and it didn't look bad. The XLT bumper needs to be replaced with the Edge one if you want the lower valence. This is because the valence flows into the fender flares and the bumper is cut shorter to accomodate it. You can cut the valence to fit the XLT bumper if you wish. I've seen that, and it's not bad. I've also seen people install the Edge grill and surround; then paint their XL bumpers and valence to match. This also looked pretty good.
My point is that all the parts interchange, it just depends on what look you want.

 

Thanks for the response SilverTank. That explains it to me. I really like the honeycomb of the edge grill and i have never been a big fan of the billet (expanded metal?) type.

I think I will try the grill only swap out and see what that looks like and go from there.

Anyone have an idea of what year ranger I should take it from? Or doe sit matter?

Thanks

 

2002 +
it doesnt really matter though

 

I would get an Edge hood. I love my hood, i didn't know if i would like the cowl edge hood, but i love it now, and i wouldn't want any other hood, unless i get that new Carbon Fiber Edge hood.

 

The Edge hoods look sweet, but weigh a ton. Mine must weigh less than 30 pounds. I wish the Edge style was available in aluminium.

Kevin, the expanded metal grills are the "speed" ones. The louver "slats" designs are generally referred to as "billet", though some are just cast or forged metal.

 

Billet:


Speed (diamond):

 

For referance, here's a nice XL with an aftermarket grill getting a Edge bumper and valance. Notice how good it looks with that package and the XL/XLT hood.

http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.c...evolution_pics

Whoops! Dave already posted those here last night. Ignore the FTW link, go here

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ead.php?t=4784

Good stuff Dave! Looking nice!