As anyone ever taken the front end off of a 97 ranger and replaced it with one from a 98 and up body style? Fenders appear to have the same body line as the rest of the truck. But was wondering about fitment as far as the fenders bolting up, grill, core support, (where the light sit into) and the grill and of course lights themselves. Would the wiring from the 97 work with the lights for the 98? I'll post pics of both trucks. Wanting to know IF this could be done without to much cutting, splicing, grinding and fabrication. Thanks!

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1997 Ford Ranger. 2.3ltr 5speed. Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
1998 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 5speed Ext cab. 2 wheel drive

Green truck is 98 and will one day be the donor. Black truck is 97 and is my ENORMOUS money pit. Lol.

Attached Images

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	image-3333672872.jpg (68.1 KB, 34 views)

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1997 Ford Ranger. 2.3ltr 5speed. Ext cab. 2 wheel drive
1998 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 5speed Ext cab. 2 wheel drive

The radiator support has to be swapped, and the front frame horns are completely different. Not necessarily a bolt and go swap, but it is doable with some minor fab work.

Found a brush guard in a buddy's scrap pile marked 1998 ranger. He said I can have it, but is there a way to fit it to my 1996 without changing the rest? My front end was recently repaired and is in excellent knit, no need to change it, just want to add the brush guard.

Thanks.

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1996 Splash SupreCab, 3.oL, 5 speed, 3.73, Rough Country 1.5" levelers, 31x10.5 Nexen Rodians

You will need 98+ fenders whether OEM or Fiberglass, The Radiator Core support and whats called a Header in front of that. What ever vehicle you get the Rad core support from you'll need the two brackets for the header if its not there [used] from that particular vehicle or if you're getting new. You will also need the two lower fender brackets that extend from the Header as the 93-97 are much shorter. Also the headlights and corner markers, grill, and of course the hood. The hood is available in both steel and aluminum versions. You will need to fab the correct bumper up as well no matter if 98+ stock or Wincher style. Baja styles you may be able to fudge it.

I have a rounded to the nearest $1 or $5 (near Completed) list of everything needed with exception of those brackets which I am calling on tomorrow from a local dealer. If you want it for reference or other reasons I can get it to you (?).


Unfortunately for your damage multiplier.., not as a direct bolt on. You may be able to fabricate or Re-fabricate brackets as the 98+ bumpers mount to the frame horns differently than the 93-97.



Between both of you, I am leaning towards the 98' front end swap on my 93' Std cab which will compliment my Norweld Aluminum flatbed UTE tray and canopy more so than the 93-97 looking one.

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My Build Pg. Threads
+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
+ 94' Ranger Bed Overlanding Trailer Build
+ 12° North Industries ~ I Support

or whatever he said ^^^

Why such a rash of Charlie here on FRF? Didnt the war end in 75' ?

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My Build Pg. Threads
+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
+ 94' Ranger Bed Overlanding Trailer Build
+ 12° North Industries ~ I Support

Not sure but I don’t think Russian hackers are responsible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)

Possibly true, but lets have the Clinton foundation try to vet it tho just in case.. LMAO

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My Build Pg. Threads
+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
+ 94' Ranger Bed Overlanding Trailer Build
+ 12° North Industries ~ I Support