Well after dumping a bunch of money just last year on a bumper cover and everything, I finally want to go 99 up with my front end. Here's the plan and photoshopped pic of what it will look like. I'm thinking black Grillcraft upper grill(maybe both if they make them). Chrome bumper center piece, and painted upper and lower bumper. The air dam that looks the best in my opinion is the 03 Harley model. A friend of mine will begin selling a fiberglass replica of it in the next month or so. Saw an original at his shop, and he told me that it was going to the mold makers the next day. So, what do you guys think?? This will be my most modern front end look so far, and I've changed three times since I bought the truck just about 3 years ago.

 

that'll look sweet man. Post some pics if you do it.

 

I thought it looked pretty cool myself, guess it's not as exciting to people with a 99 up I will post pics, thanks eposey.,,,,98

 

Go for it man! I did it too, and I LOVE the new look of my truck! IMHO the 99+ look is just much cleaner and flows better too! Let me know if you run into any problems. Also, just in case you didn't know the bumper MOUNTING BRACKETS are different so make sure to get those too. I didn't and was bummed that I had to wait 3 more days to finish the project! Good luck!

Chris

 

I was supposed to be buying the bumper from one of my neighbors, but I can't seem to catch him lately. Guess I should have got the money out when he had it out for sale. I do have a grill shell so far. Anyway, I did notice about the brackets beforehand. Even the 97/98 4x4 and 4x2 bumpers have different brackets. That really got me too, that even the rubber filler on the bottom of the bumpers were different. Mine's been hanging down since I put the 4x4 bumper on. sigh.,,,,98

Thanks for the heads up, though. I appreciate it.

 

Is there any way to change my name without re-registering? Mines too plain. My first initial and last name has no ring to it.

 

No, unfortunately not. On the plus side, you could be stuck with 98Screamer for the rest of your life, LOL!,,,,98

 

haha, I am just tryin to think of something catchy. I don't want anything like 2002 Flareside, (no offense to anyone with that name). Maybe I'll go with Slow @ss Six Banger or something. No actually I was thinking Stealth Sport cause I am probably going to put STEALTH across my brow. Kinda an inside thing with me and my buddy. He has an all-black Avenger, I have an all-black f150, so the first thing we thought of was stealth. We are gonna get it put on our cars in this lettering that I made up. Kinda off topic, but oh well.

 

98SCREAMER, are you talking about the rubber piece that covers the space between the radiator and the back of the bumper?

If so, I also noticed that it was too short when I did the swap. I removed all of the barbed push-in fasteners on the back of the bumper and replaced them with zip ties. I would'nt pull it flush against the bumper for fear of tearing the piece, but it pulled the rubber closer and kept it from hanging down and flapping in the wind.

Its purpose seems to be keeping the air goes through the grill opening from spilling out of the bottom and directing it through the radiator. And also keeping any road debris from hopping up into the radiator/AC condensor. It's not critical but judging by the way you keep your truck I would guess that you'd rather have it secured.

BTW, I like the new look (awesome photoshop skills !!) but have become more fond of the 97-98 front since it's unique to only those two years.

Good luck.

 

Believe it or not, I'm having trouble locating the parts? I've checked the classifieds on both sites, I even did a nationwide part search at a wrecking yard site with no luck. What does it take to find a used 99+ bumper shell?? Guess it's a bit harder to find than the 97/98's, cause everybodys' still using theirs
I liked the 97/98's too, I've waited this long to do it haven't I It's just that the aftermarket companies seemed to have stopped putting out new grills, and the bumper cover designs are limited at best. I'm also wanting the truck to stay current visually. It's the main reason for the update, and the FX-4 wheels. I have had people stop me and ask what year it was, and were surprised to hear it's a 98. The paint still shines, and it still runs like new. It's just time to make it look like a newer model.
Thanks for the filler panel idea, I've got the zip ties, gonna do that today.,,,,98

 

Hey '98,
Did you try :
http://car-part.com/

The parts seem very accessable here.

 

And expensive,,,,98

 

I like your current look. The new look is OK. Maybe because there's no top/bottom grille. I'm sure it will look good.

 

Well, the grills will be Grillcrafts' black powdercoat model, so in low light it would look a bit like there's no grill in it. I used a pattern called noise in photodeluxe, but it disappeared completely once it was reduced and hosted.,,,,,98

 

www.j-jent.com now makes lower grille inserts for the 03 HD valances, that match the 02/03 HD upper chrome griles, if you wanted to go with the chrome route.

the black grilles look sweet too though