Long story short, I had a wreck on Wednesday and will be having my front end repaired. I have a 96 GLE and want to go to a 97+ front end. Insurance will be picking up the tab.

What might I need to do to assist the repair shop in ordering the sorrect parts to get this right? I know that need a new set of headlights, bumper cover, and grille. THe corner lights are fine. I believe that I will need to replace foglights (95-96 v. 97+ compatibility issues). What will I need to get so that local shops can handle the conversion without too much trouble?

Would it help to get the VIN of a 97+ that is the same paint code as mine to assist them in ordering the correct parts? If so, in what years was Pebble Beige Metallic offered?

One mechanical question- Are 95-96 fog lights the same as 97-99?

 

95-96 fogs are different than 97-99. . .
i have a 98 pebble beige if you need a VIN # pm me and i'll hook you up. . . but it's going to be this evening. . .
I don't think the shop will have too much problems with it since they have to replace the parts anyway. . .

 

you've got the right parts already listed...they may have to modify the 97 bumper a bit...though..near the grill...so make sure you let them know that. Other than that..its all plug and play

 

Thanks- I PMmed you!

 

If I am replacing the grille and headlights anyway (with those from a 97+), what other modifications will be necessary to make it work? If I am going to have the shop do this, I have to be sure that I let them know what problems they might encounter to make the process move as quickly as possible.


Also, in regards to the foglight issue: I know that I will need new foglight housings, but will all of the wiring be plug-and-play with the existing 96 wiring, or will I need to do some rewiring or splicing?

 

I wish you luck. Most repair shops will not let you do this conversion. When my car got broken into i tried to get a 99 dash instead of 97 and no shops in the area would hook it up. I was ****ed!

 

I just re-read the FAQs on this subject, and there is so much contradictory information that I am not sure if I really want to try to undertake this. I woudl be happy with just going to 97+ SE Grille and headlights (with corner lights), but even that information is all banged up. It would be different if I was doing this at home, but to try to coordinate a shop doing it will be a mess, I think.