i have a 96 ranger xl and i have all the parts for the 01-03 conversion in my basement except for the raised hood. after doing the research here at the forum i think i found out that you cant just directly bolt on those parts to the 96's. Please tell me this isnt true, but if it is what do i do to make it work.

parts that i have

two 01 fenders
4 flares
valance
bumper
headlights
corners
header panel

 

you need a 98+ core support you have to drill out the welds on your core support and weld in the new one. welcome to one of the hardest front end changes you will do. also the front bumper on a 98-07 will not bolt to our chassis cause the front frame rails are different. you have to custom fab a mount for it... i was gonna do this on my splash and didnt because of the time consuming of it..

 

well thanks for ruining my day. I was so excited about getting it all together when i got the hood. I have no skills in welding, any idea what it would cost to have these mods so i can bolt everything on.

 

you asked i told sorry it pissed you off...

if you know nothing about taking off a core support take apart eveything and take it to a body shop with the fenders off and things have them swap the cores. i would call around first before you took it to someone. and to have them make a bumper mount you will have to wait till you have the fenders grille and all that on. and idk what it will cost. its $80 per hour labor fee and really you can get the meterals. so it depends on how long it takes them about 4-5 hours probly...

you could have saved alot of $ and time if you would have asked before. or gone on RPS.com and searched alot of guys did it over there, thats how i learned about it...

 

well thanks i appreciate the help.really. I got the idea from a guy on cardomaine(he did a 93 to 04)and i know its a pretty popular thing around theses forums, so i figured you guys would know alot about it.

 

that swap is quite difficult but worth it in the end.

 

well my truck has over 212k on it. I bought it with 140k and in the 70k ive put on it i have not had to replace one thing. Im in college still and pretty broke so buying a 98 or up is probably out of the question so i guess im gonna have to go with the swap on the 96.

 

just expect to not have the truck to drive around for a few days while your fabing everything

 

So, if i do take this to a body shop and have them do the core support and brackets how do i tell them how the brackets are supposed to be. you know, so it lines up when i take it home

 

like i sayed dont even think about the bumper till you have the header grill hood and fenders all on then worry about the bumper.