hello all.
i have a '97 f-150, and they, along with the '98 model, have a different grill and bumper than the 99-04.

the look of the 97-98 has a stright top on the bumper and the bottom of the grill is kind of flat. But the 99+ models have a larger grill that dips into the bumper, i'm sure you know what i'm talking about.

anyway, i love the looks of the 99+ grill and bumper, alot more than the akward looking grill i have now. the two model years are very similar to one another, lights and things of that sort.

would i be able to bolt a 99+ grill and bumper on to my 97 f-150? i was looking at getting a lightning look-a-like bumper for my truck, but i was figuring, if i have to paint it, why not try putting a 99+ on there.

i'll try calling up the ford dealership on this side of the island on monday. and since my schedule is open on friday i may crawl under there and take a look.

thanks in advance to any input.

PS: in case my ranting has mislead you folks my simple question is, how easy would the grill and bumper bolt on to my truck?

 

This is a very easy swap, I have done it to my 98 Expy. You will need the grill surround, the grill, the upper bumper pad (painted to your trim color), the bumper, and the lower valance (the lower grey part) that houses the fog lights should you choose to install them. To bolt this on, you will need to go to ford and purchase the 2 bumper brackets, because those are different then the ones used on the 97 - 98's. Those are 14$ or so a piece. Bolt the bumper onto the frame rails, then the lower valance bolts right to the bumper. Then the upper bumper pad bolts to the bumper as well. Next install the grill surround in the stock location with NO modifications. If you have fog lights, you will have to buy the 99+ style cause the old ones are bigger and will not fit the holes. Also the connnector for the fog lights is just a tad different, just take a utility knife and cut a notch into the connector, it is very easy and you can't mess it up at all. This sway took me 2 hours to do, and it took that long because I was alone, and I had the bumper brackets put on the wrong side (they don't mark them left or right). If you are lucky, you can find all these parts on ebay for fairly cheap. I wasn't so lucky and went to the dealership and spent 900$ on all the stuff needed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me....Good luck and I hope you decide to go through with the project, it looks so much better once you've done it...

 

what if u didnt want to replace the bumper. What if you only wanted to replace the *valance* si that right the part that goes around the headlights. Id love an aftermarket grill but i dont want to put it in lol. The honeycomb style is just right for me. Is this possible or do i need to do allt he stuff listed above.

ben

 

The honeycomb insert is bigger than the opening on the 97' and 98's. It won't fit in your opening. You'd need the 99' and up style grill surround....but then that won't fit because the 97' and 97' bumper doesn't have a dip in it.

97 - 98 style openings are smaller....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...spizz/eeej.jpg

99 - 03

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...pizz/ahhhh.jpg

The opening for the 99' and up are bigger

 

I have a friend that agreed to switch out his 00 bumper and grille for my 97. He doesn't care about the appearance of his work truck and is helping me with my Lightning conversion. You said I will need to go purchase these $14 bumper brackets to make this conversion possible, but can I just use the ones that are already on his truck? Are they removable? Will he even be able to put the 97 bumper and grille on his 00? Does he need to buy bumper brackets as well?

I apologize for so many questions on this one, but I do have a lack of information and have not had a chance to get under and look at the different setups. I figured asking someone who knows could make things much easier. Thanks for the info!

 

Yes, you can use his brackets. There are 4 bolts that secure the bracket to the bumper and 2 that secure the bracket and the bumper to the frame (each side). Here is what you do, remove your fan shroud and headlights, then grill surround (that just pulls off, no bolts). When you get the grill surround out of the way, you'll see the frame rails and the bolts that hold the bumper onto the frame. Just un bolt those bolts (not the ones on the bumper) and the bumper assembly comes off. You may want some help because its a bit heavy. Do the same on his truck. Then take his bumper, line up the bolts in his bumper bracket to your frame rails, bolt it up to where the old one was. Then install the grill surround and headlights. If you have any other questions, I can answer them because I did this to mine in under 2 hours. Note, you do not need to seperate his lower valance and upper bumper pad from the bumper, just take the entire assembly off at once, but as I said its a bit heavy so you'll need help. You'll love your truck so much better when your done....

 

Now would you be ablie to buy 4wd parts like brush guards if you put on a 4wd bumper.

Ben

 

I'm pretty sure you can still buy the brush guards, but you'd have to buy the ones that fit the 99+ style bumper. I believe the holes in the frames are the same, but please don't quote me on that one. I know the fenders are the same from 97 - 03, just the bumper changed in 99, so if you decide to buy the brush guard, get the 99+ style. Worst case senerio is you'd have to drill your own holes if they aren't present on your 98.