Front end swap

R

Royston

Registered
Hello,

Long time troll, first time poster. The second set of halogen headlights in my 1995 Mark are dimming out. I'd love to go to HIDs but Ford Canada has them as obsolete and there are no HID lamps available in junkyards around here.
My question is does anybody know if the front end sheet metal is interchangeable between the two generations? I'm talking about moving the fenders, hood, fascia, lamps etc. from a 1997 or 1998 to my 1995. I'm assuming that since both cars are FN10s that the underpinnings would be the same and the pieces should be interchangeable.
E-Bay has tons of 2G HID lamps but no 1G HIDs.

Roy
 
If you really WANT to change the front end, you can BUT, you have to change it ALL.. Hood, fenders, header, grill, bumper support and cover, head-lights etc.
 
Thanks budpytko but my last set of used halogen lamps lasted three months before they started to fade.
Whiplash15, I appreciate the confirmation. That's exactly what I figured it would involve. I prefer the style of the 2G front end but the mechanicals on my 1G are too good to give up. I'll keep my eye out for a wreck around here I can pick up cheap.
Thanks to both of you.

Roy
 
Yes it can be done. Jeremi had a photo of one in the Detroit area. If I remember correctly, the owner didn't even know about the difference.:)

Oh yeah, Welcome!
 
Yea it can be done... but not worth your time... just get regular new housings and put in aftermarket HIDs... or try to get used HID housings and put in aftermarket HIDs... there is no point in using the OEM stuff.
 
everything swaps over but the only thing that doesnt interchange without modification is the 2nd gen hood latch. everything else is bolt on and go, the two different generations use two different hood latches, one is bolted to the core support, one has its mount welded on, but if you are mechanical enough to swap everything over yourself, then modifying the hood latch is a walk in the park!
 
jamies98lsc said:
everything swaps over but the only thing that doesnt interchange without modification is the 2nd gen hood latch. everything else is bolt on and go, the two different generations use two different hood latches, one is bolted to the core support, one has its mount welded on, but if you are mechanical enough to swap everything over yourself, then modifying the hood latch is a walk in the park!
Click to expand...

I'm a mechanic by trade so it shouldn't be much of a problem. I appreciate the replies. As I said I am unable to find any used 1G HID lamps in Ontario so that's not an option.

I plan on taking it off the road next year (pending finances) to do a colour change and that would be a perfect time to do a swap to the newer front. The 2G fronts look better anyways :wave022:

Thanks guys.
 
get in a pick up and take a road trip to florida, i have an entire gen 2 front clip right now!!, fenders, hoods, 2 header panels to choose from, grill, 2 bumpers and headlights!!!
 
LOL :D

That'd be great but I don't think that I could do it. Too bad, we Canadians go crazy for southern vehicles.
 
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