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Hey guys, new owner of a 2004 XLT FX4 and I am loving it!
My front bumper is messed up from a previous accident, so it needs a new one, and it got me pondering which junkyard bumper I want to replace it with, since I have some options with all the facelifts that rangers had over the years. Also wanna see if I can get a new set of fenders without holes drilled in them for fender flares.
What is the compatibility for those parts?
I'm talking bumper, grill, headlights, hood, and front fenders.
Hey guys, new owner of a 2004 XLT FX4 and I am loving it!
My front bumper is messed up from a previous accident, so it needs a new one, and it got me pondering which junkyard bumper I want to replace it with, since I have some options with all the facelifts that rangers had over the years. Also wanna see if I can get a new set of fenders without holes drilled in them for fender flares.
What is the compatibility for those parts?
I'm talking bumper, grill, headlights, hood, and front fenders.
Thank you!
Generally speaking, front end body components only fit that specific generation. A 2004 is the first year of the final US ranger facelift, and generation, from 2004-11. The prior gen, 98-03 will not fit without a complete swap of all components of the doghouse (fenders, hood, front grille assembly including trim, lights potentially as well)
Hey guys, new owner of a 2004 XLT FX4 and I am loving it!
My front bumper is messed up from a previous accident, so it needs a new one, and it got me pondering which junkyard bumper I want to replace it with, since I have some options with all the facelifts that rangers had over the years. Also wanna see if I can get a new set of fenders without holes drilled in them for fender flares.
What is the compatibility for those parts?
I'm talking bumper, grill, headlights, hood, and front fenders.
Thank you!
1998-2011 will all swap around. There are additional items that may need to be purchased, depending on which way you go. For example, 1998-2003 hood latches and driver's side hood hinges are different than those on 2004-2011 Rangers.
I just put a 2008 front bumper on my 2002, bolted on like it belongs.
Keep in mind that not all modifications will look "right". I ran an 05 grille with an 01-03 bumper for a little while and hated how it looked.
Newbie to the site only one I've found discussing this.
I have a 1997 ranger and I've been considering shaping the front end can it be done and what years can I use. Again sorry not trying to jump in just new the site trying to figure it out. If someone could let me know or direct me on the site of where this stuff is. It would be much appreciated.
I like that '05 grill. should fit nice on my '06 right?
Yep, bolts right in. Here it is with the 08+ bumper I used to run. Might give you a better idea of how it looks on your truck since ours are similar.
Originally Posted by Clyde7511
I have a 1997 ranger and I've been considering shaping the front end can it be done and what years can I use. Again sorry not trying to jump in just new the site trying to figure it out. If someone could let me know or direct me on the site of where this stuff is. It would be much appreciated.
You will have to swap out your radiator support and massage your fenders to get any of the newer parts to work and fit right. It has been done numerous times, but it's more work than the 98+ trucks. Your frame also has different bumper mounting points, so the 98+ bumpers will not bolt on.
Last edited by Fordzilla80; Nov 24, 2022 at 10:51 AM.
I worked in a body shop for awhile so I'm used to making things line up. Lol I seen pictures of my same year if I remember correctly it had a different grill and it had newer bumper. And where the bumper meets the headlights was cool there was no big gap or anything. But where the bumper met the grill there was a decent gap but it looked good and with the plans for the truck that look and the gap will work for me on a couple different fronts. I gotta swap the rad support anyways l do i just swap to a newer year. And the fender deal as long as the holes are relatively close I cam work my magic.
It's a matter of perception. Since hood latches and one hood hinge is a bolt-on affair, I consider 1998-2011 to be piece for piece interchangeable since the core support and fenders are all the same.
The previous comment made regarding fenders is incorrect, they are the same all the way through from 1998 to 2011. I am running 2004+ hood and grille with my factory 2003 fenders with no issue.
So if I want the front grill and bumper from a 2001 for my 2004, I just need those 2 parts only?
For that swap, you would need the hood too because the 1998-2003 grilles are shorter than the 04+ so you would have a noticeable gap between the hood and grille.
You'll also need the front grille, bumper assembly, header panel, driver's side hood hinge, and hood latch. That's it.
It's a matter of perception. Since hood latches and one hood hinge is a bolt-on affair, I consider 1998-2011 to be piece for piece interchangeable since the core support and fenders are all the same.
The previous comment made regarding fenders is incorrect, they are the same all the way through from 1998 to 2011. I am running 2004+ hood and grille with my factory 2003 fenders with no issue.
I assumed as such because the part numbers didnt "interchange" when I looked them up, my apologies.
I assumed as such because the part numbers didnt "interchange" when I looked them up, my apologies.
I've noticed that before, and never understood why. Probably just bad information from the parts houses.
There may also be slight differences that require them to utilize two different part numbers, but I'm not aware of any that affect the header panels, lights, or grille.
I've noticed that before, and never understood why. Probably just bad information from the parts houses.
There may also be slight differences that require them to utilize two different part numbers, but I'm not aware of any that affect the header panels, lights, or grille.
Makes sense. While I knew that "any" of the ranger parts from 98-11 would bolt up, with body style changes I knew certain parts would not "cross fit" across generations.
Good on me for trusting the internet on that one, LOL
