This morning a Dodge Caravan (89 I think) hit my driver side front corner. The airbag didn't fly (thank god!) But my front bumper, hood, driver side quarter panel, and even my passenger side quarter panel, driver side head lamp and fog lamp are all damaged. And if it weren't bad enough my transmission began to leak all its fluids onto the road.

So I'm really pissed off and upset because this is the worst time of the year for this to happen. But I start thinking this is the kind of stuff that makes for a killer makeover. I was already considering a paint job in the spring (my hood has many little nicks) but now I'm gonna move that up. So rather than feel down about it I want to put a 97 front end on my 96. And if the tranny must be dropped I want to service it (release-bearing was starting to go).

Thanks for helping me share a little sorrow. Now if any of you guys have any advice about where to get a 97 bumper and grill I can get started with a plan.

 

about your accident. Hopefully everybody is ok.
For used parts, I normally check with local junk yards first. Then I go online if necessary. Do a search for part recycler, used auto parts or, junk yards. You'll find plenty.

Good luck with your rebuild.

 

I was the only one in my car the other driver (THE IDIOT!!!) was the only person in that vehicle and we're all okay. Still cant believe it happened to me. Does anyone know a good body shop in NY????

 

where in NY are you ? if you close to Millbrook NY (upstate) then i know the killer body shop.

 

I'm in Brooklyn, something closer might be nicer. Preferrably in Brooklyn, then the immediate boro's. Still open to any ideas. I wont have the police report until about 4 o'clock. Man this sucks!!!!

 

Man, I feel for ya bro ! Two weekends ago I got into an accident on the Belt Parkway. This idiot's Honda Accord locked it's transmission doing highway speeds!! All of a sudden I see him doing S turns on my right side. My girldfriend was in the passenger seat in total shock! Before you know it the POS Accord slapped right into me. Luckily no one was hurt. My car will go to the shop after the holidays.

 

Hey I know you feel my pain, if you find a really good shop to do the work please let me know. We could probably get him to work something out if we both bring our cars at the same time. That way he may be able to work out something extra for us..... anything is worth a try.

Keep me posted

 

Was the accident your fault or theirs? If the insurance company pays for the fix, they probably won't be to thrilled with putting a newer front end on... Glad to hear that everyone's ok, and the car will be fixed one way or another .

 

Thanks for helping me share a little sorrow. Now if any of you guys have any advice about where to get a 97 bumper and grill I can get started with a plan. [/I][/QUOTE]

If you are in Brooklyn, I can help you get "cheaper" new parts to convert to a 97-99 front end. I work for a company and I sell aftermarket crash parts to people in Brooklyn who in turn sell to body shops. If you want, I can recommend 3-5 people in your area who will sell you the parts you need.

For a full 97 front conversion, you will need:

Front cover (only one kind available for 97-9)
Front reinforcment bar
Front retainer
97-9 Headlights
97-9 Corner lights
97-9 Grille (Paintable grey SE type or Chrome type)

The turn signals are interchangeable for 95-9. Hood and fenders are also the same. I don't know the prices off hand, but the parts are new, cheaper than OE, and you will not be able to tell the difference.

Hope this helps,

Ed

 

96 with moderate damage, you may be able to push them to toal your car, especially if you argue for dimunition of value (your cars value has been lowered b/c it has sustained damage from an accident).

 

I don't know why you would want togo from nice glass headlight lenses to plastic which over time WILL fade, scratch, blurr, and scuff up.But I guess it's a matter of taste. Goo Luck...

 

if you really want the car to come out perfect and the insurance is paying, your better off taking the car to King's Nissan on Coney island Avanue and ask for Alex.

Even though its a Nissan dealership and bodyshop, people with different makes bring their cars their for collision repair work.

a friend of mine who totaled his 95 Maxima 3 weeks after buying it new, brought the car there and it came out beautiful. Best of all, when he traded it in for his BMW, The BMW appraiser could not even identify that the car was ever in an accident.

Good Luck!

 

i dont know how american insurance companies work. but here in Canada, you goto a body shop and they will quote you a price on the repair. The insurance company will then pay the body shop for the repairs. If you can convince the guy at the body shop to use a 97 front end instead of your normal one, i dont think it would cost him any. In fact he might be able to get one from Nissan instead of you having to do the searching?

just a thought.