Well I have a few $ left to spend on mods before old man winter hits. My goals are to find a set of clear cornors to fit and billet grilles with maybe the lighted logo's. Problem is I can't decide on what to get or where to get it.
First on the clear cornor's I need an early 97 style lens with the 3 mounting holes. I thought the easiest route would be just to get the standard clear type lens and to stay away from the euro clear stuff. Well my first order was from www.autodynamic.com and it was all wrong. Now I have all my money back and need to try again. I was thinking of ordering some from www.procarparts.com then I heard some bad things about them. I want a decent set of clear cornors that will fit my 97 and I would like to deal with a place that will take care of me if there are problems.
On the billet grill I am not real picky. Just can't decide. I like the Steel Horse because of the cheap price. On the other hand the Stull is better looking, the Trenz is way up there too. The two problems I have heard of from these grilles is a whistle nosie which is unstoppable. Second I have heard that the Stull and Trenz are easier to install. I figure that part of that boils down to the individual installer and part quality. I also thought about the speed grills by Street Scene. Wuld one of those look good on a 4x4? I'm just asking for honest opinion on looks, ease of install and quality? IMO all look pretty damn good.
Last thought is. At what point does modding your truck become clutterring it? Thanks

 

Love my Stull, no whistle.

 

Order your clear corners on this sites store. This is where I got mine for my early '97. Good luck.

 

Watch out for procarparts, they would not honor the price they put in an ad. I told them where the ad was and what the price was, and they acted like the ad. didn't exist. The person who answered the phone had to put me on hold for ten minutes to find their mailing address, lol. That was the last straw, I had no faith that I would ever recieve the items I was planning to order.
On the billet grille, I bought a Steel Horse and don't regret it at all. Looks good, and no whistle!
As for cluttering, as long as there aren't too many accessories catching your eye your usually okay. At first I had a bunch of stuff all over my truck, one day I stood back from it and said ouch I then pulled nearly everthing I had on the outside of the truck off. When I do add something now, I just make sure to find a way for it to blend in. IE: painting it, pulling off all the little company logo tags, or only replacing something when the factory version gets removed in the process( air dams, bumpers, tail lights, and grilles.) It's a personal thing though, if you like it, go for it!
www.matrixracing.com treated me like a person, and I actually enjoyed doing business with them. They even rushed my headlights out to me when I won them on ebay. personal attention like that is VERY hard to find! Okay, so I wrote a book. I'll shut up now, lol.,,,,98

 

Watch out for ProCarparts.com. I won a set of Indiglo gauges from them on Ebay but never heard from them to finish the deal. I went to their website and found that the price I was supposed to get it for on Ebay was CONSIDERABLY less than what they normally sell it for. I tried calling a few times, they never answered their phone. I really want to get a set of Indiglo's still though. I just picked up a Fosgate Source Unit that has mostly red lighting so it doesn't match the rest of the dash. Oh well, if anyone has a good lead on a reputable dealer I'm all ears!

Hey 98, how much was your Steelhorse grill? Figured that'd be my next move exterior wise.


Aloha From Hawaii

 

I bought mine from a friends shop in Houston for $120. They sell them at a few auto parts stores on the mainland for around $100, but most of the time the boxes are crushed or opened. Most of them are bent, too With the main and bumper grill together in one order it was $172 and change. ,,,,98

 

It just gets harder and harder to find a place to get early 97 style clear cornors. I have tried 2 different sources and both times they were wrong, maybe third times a charm. Just gotta find someone that has the ones I need. I will put the billet grill on hold. I just found out that my tires are cupping and I think I need new shocks so once that is fixed I get back to the grill and stuff. It's a never ending battle, LOL.

 

Once you get the shocks, I recommend a Ford alignment just to make sure. I made the mistake of getting a quickie alignment, and when I took it in to a dealer a month later it was WAY off. Get some decent shocks too,,,,98

 

Your a smart guy that seems to have a lot of the answers and keeps an eye out on the various products. Where can I find those clear cornors on an early 97?
As for the shocks I do plan to buy a good set. I plan to research the boards a bit and possibly make a post. I was thinking on either Rancho 5000's, 9000's or Monroe Reflex's. Main factor in choosing those was that I can get a discount from work. I do not think now that shocks will solve the problem with my tires cupping but the truck needs them anyways. I then will have the tire palce where I bought the tires to rotate them and give it a look over (they should realign it free since I spent so much with them, but that would be a joke). From there I will either probably be replaing ball joints, hub assembly or both. I might take it to Ford before I sink much money into parts though.
Thanks for all your help your a great asset to this board.

 

I think they sell them at the online store here. If they don't, I think they could probably get them? I haven't had to do much searching for them since I have a 98 model. Good luck,,,,98

 

I would vote to go with the Rancho's. I put a set on my old 4Runner and noticed an improvement in ride control. A little rougher than stock, but the truck felt way more stable when off road (and on). When it's time to change shocks on my S-Crew, I'll definitely look into what Rancho's offerings are.

Aloha From Hawaii

 

MrTailLight.com


Hey guys, look up Steve at www.MrTailLight.com for all your lighting needs. In Stock or can usually be at your front door within a day to a week depending on availibity. I have had numerous dealings with Steve and he will more than treat you right guys! Just my $0.02 but then again this board is what it is all about! Have a good one and I am outta here.............


ShowYa in Kansas City....

 

Hey Showya!
I'm down in Overland Park, are there any custom car/truck parts places down in this area?? I'm at College and 69, in the Holtze "executive" village. Pretty boring out here,,,,98

 

Hey 98Screamer, we have a few places yes like K C Custom Trucks in Gladstone, Missouri (816) 468 8500 amd also have Chux Trux in Independence on 40 Hwy and Noland Road. If you need any more info, drop me an email @ Ashlockboo@aol.com

Have a good one and maybe we could meet up sometime and ShowYa our rides........................

ShowYa in Kansas City and outta here to build another Lincoln Blackwood

 

Thanks Showya!
Alot of these hotels give you the white pages Why would someone need a white pages, when they don't know anyone here,,,,98