Front End Repair/Conversion Data/Research
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 460
What are required to convert the front end from a 95/96 to a 97-99 ?
Bumper? Headlights+sides? Fogs? Corners? Grill?
anyone jotted the price of each component?
Do I need an internal modification? Front metal piece where the grill and radiator hangs from?
Any electrical modification I need to do?
Any aftermarket grill or bumper that is not obnoxiously designed? My preference is something aggresive but not wild.
How much less does it cost to get aftermarket parts compared to getting original OEM stuff?
I am thinking of carving out a hole near the intake...well...that is if I am using a can hood again...is a can hood cheaper than a Carbon fiber one? also if I use CF hood, will my car be considered modified for SCCA events?
I have many more questions...I'll reserve that when I see the response....btw...does changing from glass headlamp to plastiglass increases the clarity of the light?
Bumper? Headlights+sides? Fogs? Corners? Grill?
anyone jotted the price of each component?
Do I need an internal modification? Front metal piece where the grill and radiator hangs from?
Any electrical modification I need to do?
Any aftermarket grill or bumper that is not obnoxiously designed? My preference is something aggresive but not wild.
How much less does it cost to get aftermarket parts compared to getting original OEM stuff?
I am thinking of carving out a hole near the intake...well...that is if I am using a can hood again...is a can hood cheaper than a Carbon fiber one? also if I use CF hood, will my car be considered modified for SCCA events?
I have many more questions...I'll reserve that when I see the response....btw...does changing from glass headlamp to plastiglass increases the clarity of the light?
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,159
To convert, you'll need:
1) bumper
2) headlights
3) corner lights
4) grill
5) (optional) fog lights
1) I got into an accident and have to replace my bumper. The dealer quoted me $125 repaint + $252 parts + $100 labor. So that's $377 for the bumper (from the dealer). He gave me some b/s about the bumper not fitting on because it's a different year, but it'll fit. People have done it with no problems.
2) Headlights. Well, best best to go to http://www.copartsfinder.com and get them off a wrecked Maxima. Can't say how much, but try not to pay more than $200 for a set. Even $200 is a bit too much.
3) Corner lights. Same thing. About $100 a set.
4) Grill. Same thing. The SMX grill might be something you want to look into. I personally don't like the look, but to each his own. I personally like the 97-99 silver chrome grill. The grill should be pretty cheap.
5) Fogs. Off a wrecked Maxima or buy it from Courtesy Nissan or your local dealer. Mostly because then you can get a new light stalk if you don't already have fog lights.
For the bumper, it's best to go OEM. There's no real internal modification that needs to be done.
I'm planning on doing a front end conversion also. But... so far I have... oh... 47 cents saved up.
1) bumper
2) headlights
3) corner lights
4) grill
5) (optional) fog lights
1) I got into an accident and have to replace my bumper. The dealer quoted me $125 repaint + $252 parts + $100 labor. So that's $377 for the bumper (from the dealer). He gave me some b/s about the bumper not fitting on because it's a different year, but it'll fit. People have done it with no problems.
2) Headlights. Well, best best to go to http://www.copartsfinder.com and get them off a wrecked Maxima. Can't say how much, but try not to pay more than $200 for a set. Even $200 is a bit too much.
3) Corner lights. Same thing. About $100 a set.
4) Grill. Same thing. The SMX grill might be something you want to look into. I personally don't like the look, but to each his own. I personally like the 97-99 silver chrome grill. The grill should be pretty cheap.
5) Fogs. Off a wrecked Maxima or buy it from Courtesy Nissan or your local dealer. Mostly because then you can get a new light stalk if you don't already have fog lights.
For the bumper, it's best to go OEM. There's no real internal modification that needs to be done.
I'm planning on doing a front end conversion also. But... so far I have... oh... 47 cents saved up.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Wrong
I bought my 96' Maxima used in January of 00' and the front bumper was a wreck. Instead of having it stripped, repaired, painted, etc, I purchased a 97+ bumper and grill. I was a little worried that it wouldn't fit onto my existing 96 headlights and that something would not fit, like around the radiator. This was not the case. We put on the front grill without a problem, and put on the front bumper without a problem. The only thing that was an issue were the brackets under the headlights. On the 95-96, there are I think 2, one on each side of the light. Well, if I remember correctly, the mounting brackets on the 97+ bumper were a little off. No problem, all we did was fabricate four "little" brackets from thin thin metal and placed two on each headlight, worked like a charm. Everything, including the bumper, grill, paint, and labor cost me 360.00, a GREAT deal. It looks great on the car, although the paint is horrible. Having that redone by another shop when my body kit is going in, YEAH!!!! Reply back if you have anymore questions. Later. If you want to see pics, got to my site and click on "Images". Then click on one of Ramius83's pics.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,159
Just a side note...
Ramius83... next time, use edit/delete function so you don't wind up with like 15 of the same posts with slightly different responses.
And as for the headlight... I personally think the 95/96 headlights are hideous. The ridges on the lens are just gross. But hey, that's just me.
Ramius83... next time, use edit/delete function so you don't wind up with like 15 of the same posts with slightly different responses.
And as for the headlight... I personally think the 95/96 headlights are hideous. The ridges on the lens are just gross. But hey, that's just me.
hmm... when i e-mailed courtesy nissan they said i needed some kind of reinforcement that would cost about $150.. so it looks like i don't need this since ramius83 did it w/o it.
i think i might do this. either this or get SMX grille... hmm...
i think i might do this. either this or get SMX grille... hmm...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 460
Ok..to anyone who already have their front end repaired
please let me know how to good parts for cheap
^_^
Thank you!
I think I am going to fix it to be good
red carbon fiber hood if possible...
hehehe....I am hunting for parts now...
please let me know how to good parts for cheap
^_^
Thank you!
I think I am going to fix it to be good
red carbon fiber hood if possible...
hehehe....I am hunting for parts now...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Wrong
Correct, it will work. Don did this to his 95 
Originally posted by Ramius83
I bought my 96' Maxima used in January of 00' and the front bumper was a wreck. Instead of having it stripped, repaired, painted, etc, I purchased a 97+ bumper and grill. I was a little worried that it wouldn't fit onto my existing 96 headlights and that something would not fit, like around the radiator. This was not the case. We put on the front grill without a problem, and put on the front bumper without a problem. The only thing that was an issue were the brackets under the headlights. On the 95-96, there are I think 2, one on each side of the light. Well, if I remember correctly, the mounting brackets on the 97+ bumper were a little off. No problem, all we did was fabricate four "little" brackets from thin thin metal and placed two on each headlight, worked like a charm. It looks great on the car, although the paint is horrible. Having that redone by another shop when my body kit is going in, YEAH!!!! Reply back if you have anymore questions. Later. If you want to see pics, got to my site and click on "Images". Then click on one of Ramius83's pics.
I bought my 96' Maxima used in January of 00' and the front bumper was a wreck. Instead of having it stripped, repaired, painted, etc, I purchased a 97+ bumper and grill. I was a little worried that it wouldn't fit onto my existing 96 headlights and that something would not fit, like around the radiator. This was not the case. We put on the front grill without a problem, and put on the front bumper without a problem. The only thing that was an issue were the brackets under the headlights. On the 95-96, there are I think 2, one on each side of the light. Well, if I remember correctly, the mounting brackets on the 97+ bumper were a little off. No problem, all we did was fabricate four "little" brackets from thin thin metal and placed two on each headlight, worked like a charm. It looks great on the car, although the paint is horrible. Having that redone by another shop when my body kit is going in, YEAH!!!! Reply back if you have anymore questions. Later. If you want to see pics, got to my site and click on "Images". Then click on one of Ramius83's pics.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 460
I think I am either gonna stay with a 95 front end or convert to 97+
it all depends on how cheap I can get things done.
I still need to get that ECU and YPIPE if possible.
anyhow....
I'll keep everyone posted....
thank you for your help...I hate being carless
it all depends on how cheap I can get things done.
I still need to get that ECU and YPIPE if possible.
anyhow....
I'll keep everyone posted....
thank you for your help...I hate being carless
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