xjcrazy09 Posted May 1, 2008 Posted May 1, 2008 Other than wrecked or parts Jeeps where can you buy the parts to do a front conversion ?
smartazz19 Posted May 1, 2008 Posted May 1, 2008 ebay.. pretty good deals on there from aftermarket vendors. Just watch cause cheap parts are cheap parts. I hear the ebay header panels and fenders fit like crap. I used OEM parts and it fit great. The grilles and lights are cheap and plenty available on ebay, can't really go wrong wih quailty on those.
mvusse Posted May 1, 2008 Posted May 1, 2008 Someone in RI (Oceanstatejeeps or something like that) sells entire header panel/grill/lights assemblies including wiring harness every few weeks on Ebay. They are take-offs off Cherokees. But I'd guess any junkyard would be a good start, if for no other reason then to check how much they want for it. If you also want to do the fenders, for some reason junkyards (at least in my area) wanto $30-$40 for one, even though new ones are <$30 from Keystone. But from a junkyard you might be able to get one with the flare and liner still attached for no extra money.
Eagle Posted May 1, 2008 Posted May 1, 2008 Are you asking about a "grille" conversion, as the thread title implies, or are you asking about converting to the '97+ Cherokee front end ... which is a LOT more than just a grille?
xjcrazy09 Posted May 2, 2008 Author Posted May 2, 2008 Yeah i meant as in the entire front, but wasn't sure what the correct terminology was. I have been going out to the local Junkyards recently and have never found one that is newer than a 91.
smartazz19 Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 Just for a FYI for mine i picked up a non running 2-door XJ. Well it ran, but missed and had low compression. Got it dirt cheap. So i used it for parts and sold what i didnt need to re-coupe the costs. In the end, i broke even and had 97+ buckets, console, and all the front end parts. Just a thought. Try to find a blown up 97+ XJ and use it for parts.
xjcrazy09 Posted May 2, 2008 Author Posted May 2, 2008 Well I'm keeping my eye out, but so far no luck. What I was mainly asking is there somewhere you can buy the parts new?
Tomahawked Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 Certifit. Black grill alone is $12. The chrome is $18. Other parts are comparably priced.
Eagle Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 To make the conversion complete and correct, you will need: Grille Header Bumper Splash apron (not sure what it's called) Both fenders Both side marker lights Both parking lights Both flares ?? Both headlight bezels ?? What am I forgetting?
mvusse Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 Are the fender liners the same, or are they different as well? I believe you pretty much summed up everything I can think of.
jtdesigns Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 You'll need the 97+ fenders too, or you will have a corner sticking out on the top.
brigarpeon Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 To make the conversion complete and correct, you will need: Grille Header Bumper Splash apron (not sure what it's called) Both fenders Both side marker lights Both parking lights Both flares ?? Both headlight bezels ?? What am I forgetting? Just the 2 prong harness for the front lights but that a nice to do. Plug and play.
Eagle Posted May 2, 2008 Posted May 2, 2008 You'll need the 97+ fenders too, or you will have a corner sticking out on the top. The fenders were included in my list
xjcrazy09 Posted May 3, 2008 Author Posted May 3, 2008 So basically buying a parts jeep is almost neccesary. After I have aqquired all of the parts is it simply bolt onto the pre-existing holes? has anyone done a write up on this conversion? Thanks for all your input.
armybmbsqd Posted May 3, 2008 Posted May 3, 2008 Or you can cheat like I did and just put a 97+ grill on an 89 without all the other stuff :D
chicofuentes0224 Posted May 3, 2008 Posted May 3, 2008 Hey that looks good. Did you have to adapt anything or does it just screw right on?
armybmbsqd Posted May 3, 2008 Posted May 3, 2008 It actually just "snaps' in place. I used a zip tie to secure it in one spot on the bottom and have not lost it yet.
smartazz19 Posted May 3, 2008 Posted May 3, 2008 No write up needed. Its all bolt on. Simply unbolt your fenders and bolt the new fenders/header panel on. Only semi diffucult thing is splicing in the new turn signal sockets. Which if you are taking fenders off, you probably know how to crimp wires. :cheers:
smartazz19 Posted May 3, 2008 Posted May 3, 2008 So basically buying a parts jeep is almost neccesary. After I have aqquired all of the parts is it simply bolt onto the pre-existing holes? has anyone done a write up on this conversion? Thanks for all your input. No write up needed. Its all bolt on. Simply unbolt your fenders and bolt the new fenders/header panel on. Only semi diffucult thing is splicing in the new turn signal sockets. Which if you are taking fenders off, you probably know how to crimp wires. :cheers:
jeepdoggydogB Posted May 3, 2008 Posted May 3, 2008 Or you can cheat like I did and just put a 97+ grill on an 89 without all the other stuff :D Excellent and cost effective idea!
armybmbsqd Posted May 4, 2008 Posted May 4, 2008 I bought the grill on e-bay a while ago and it sat on a shell in the garage for about 3 years. When I put in my tranny cooler, I held it up just to see how different the mounting holes were and figured out it will just "snap in" and stay in place. I put the zip tie on to make sure it didn't fall off. Been like that for over a year. Yes cheap and easy and so far, kind of unique.
HOrnbrod Posted May 4, 2008 Posted May 4, 2008 Or you can cheat like I did and just put a 97+ grill on an 89 without all the other stuff :D Yes, the 7-slot definitely looks great, especially in chrome. :D Wish I could use one on my 91, but the grille styles changed in 91 and the upper molding strip was part of the grille and headlight doors instead of a separate piece.
jeepdoggydogB Posted May 4, 2008 Posted May 4, 2008 Or you can cheat like I did and just put a 97+ grill on an 89 without all the other stuff :D Yes, the 7-slot definitely looks great, especially in chrome. :D Wish I could use one on my 91, but the grille styles changed in 91 and the upper molding strip was part of the grille and headlight doors instead of a separate piece. I have a 91, and I just ordered one of those grills so I will let everyone know what it takes to mount it on a 91. As Hornbrod knows I grew up in the U.S, Navy and in Subic Bay, we pride ourselves on adapting and making things works. :cheers:
HOrnbrod Posted May 4, 2008 Posted May 4, 2008 I have a 91, and I just ordered one of those grills so I will let everyone know what it takes to mount it on a 91. As Hornbrod knows I grew up in the U.S, Navy and in Subic Bay, we pride ourselves on adapting and making things works. :cheers: Aye, how true matey. :cheers: Please let me how if this works JeepDoggy. The wife and daughter #1 just left for the PI this morning to see her sick mother in Manila. I get to stay home and take care of daughter #2. :cry:
RescueDuck33 Posted September 17, 2015 Posted September 17, 2015 Smartazz did your doors bolt on with no problems? I have a 2001 Xj looking to swap doors
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