I would like to swap out my older 98 frontend for the 2000' and newer one.I always try to stay up to date with my 97'.I was wondering If the 2000'and newer frontend will simply bolt up or do i need differnt bumper brackets and if so witch ones.I think the grill shell will probly just bolt up like the 98' shell did.If sombody knows please help me.I plan to buy parts soon.thanks,TRUEBLUE16

 

I am in the process of the same upgrade. I know there has to be other out there aside from you and i that have researched this topic. I haven't gotten much futher than you. True, the grille shell is a bolt-on. The proble lies in the bumper. the brackets are different and you will need a donor truck or you will have to puchase the complete assebly from Ford($$$$). To this point in my research, the frames of the two trucks match upbut, I'm still waiting on my parts connection to tell me if the bolt patterns for the brackets are the same. Have you found a source for your brackets and bumper yet? I'm trying to swap in the H-D air-dam on a '97 standard-cab, sport-side. Well, good luck. Hopefully someone else will come along with more advise for the both of us.

 

I KNEW THAT THERE WAS DIFFERNT BARCKETS INVOLVED,BUT ASSUMED THAT THE BOLT PATERN WOULD MATCH.IF NOT I CAN ALWAYS DRILL OR WELD.IT DOSE HOWEVER BUT A LITTLE SPIN ON THINGS.LET ME KNOW ABOUT THAT BOLT PATTERN.I WILL PROBLY PICK THE BRACKETS UP AT FORD.I CALLED A FEW SALVAGE YARDS AND IT SEEMS THE ONLY WAY TO TOTAL OUR TRUCKS IS SEVER FRONT END COLLISION.SO ALL THE BRACKETS WERE MASHED UP AND UNUSEABLE.I COULDNT FIND ANY REAREND
TOTALS AT THE YARD.SO FORD PARTS IS MY ONLY OPTION.I DONT MIND SPENDING THE EXTRA CASH.ITS ALOT CHEAPER THAN ACUALLY BUYING THE 2000 OR 2001 MODEL.PLUS IT'LL LOOK REALLY NISE WITH THE BILLET GRILL OR SS WIRE MESH.THANKS FOR THE REPLY KEEP ME POSTED ON YOUR PROGRESS.

 

I did the swap in a about 4 hours if you have a 97 frame you will need 2 inner bumper brks witch you can just bolt on in place of your old brks.97 to 2000 lightning front

 

Xenon,

I noticed you have a very detailed parts list on swapping out a 97-98 front end to a Lightning. However, i was wondering if you just had a OEM Part number listing on what parts would be needed. Thanks

 

OEM parts on left.

The oem parts listed on the left are the parts i puchased from ford and used (all direct bolt on).

 

THANKS FOR THE HELP.AFTER SEEING YOUR PARTS SHEET I DONT EVEN HAVE ANY QUESTIONS NOW.THAT WAS EXACTLY THE KIND OF INFORMATION I WAS SEEKING.I KNOW WHAT IM DOING THIS WEEKEND!!THANKS AGAIN XENON

 

it takes a while to do it because of how much is involved but is really quite easy.
I did this to my 98...........

how do i post pics on here.

 

i have a 2001 supercrew and wanted to do the same lighning conversion. how should i go about it. since my truck is newer, will i need the same parts as you guys? i also called around and found conversion kits running between $700 - $850. how much did you guys pay? should i go through ford instead?

 

all you need to do is take off your lower valence and that piece of plastic on top of your bumper.

The lightning bumper cover will mount right on it.
The bumper cover costs about $250 at fordpartsonline.com

 

Steven1642, it's that simple for a 2001 supercrew?!?!?! Thats one awsome looking conversion, one i might be interested in doing in the future.

 

Does anyone know how much the bumper/grill swap will cost for everything all togeather. Also do you think it would be worth my time ot look in a junk yard ? or maybee you guys know a used parts store online with good prices

 

This is a question for Steven 1642!I have a 2001 xlt Supercab
I have a west wings bumper cover W type(like the lighting)
So you say all I have to do is remove the top plastic from the
bumper and the lower air dam? Can I install the bumper cover
without removeing the bumper from the truck? Tell me it's that easy!!!!

 

thats how i did it.

it is easier to install the cover while the bumper is on the truck.

 

Steven1642/ Just got in from work and read your post, really appricate your help, will be putting the front end cover/grill/clear
coners on this sunday after work. Again thanks for the info .
My uncle lives in Gainesboro Tn. Maybe I'll catch up with you
sometime when I'm up in that area.