'02 Explore XLT to a '07 Explorer XLT Front bumper and grille

[AldoMario]

I want to change my entire face of the car. Been looking at the newer models of the Explorer family and i like the new faces. Wondering if I could just replace my '02 front bumper and grille and anything else needed to a '06 or newer model front bumper and grille. Im new to this car Dad gave it to me for my 21st birthday. Would love some feedback Thanks guys..

 

[zerodevil]

bigger project than you think the entire front clip would need to be purchased...EVERYTHING.

 

[morziac]

by everything do u mean like radiator support and all that a well? or bumper, grill, fenders, bonnet and headlights?

 

[LoKo498]

I'm thinking at the minimum is the hood, grill, lights, bumper & fenders.
I also would like the newer model front.

 

[AldoMario]

Thanks for the replies. But what exactly is everything. I just bought some new HID headlights for my car. would be a shame if I had to replace the headlights and fogs. Bumper is fine grille is ok and the fenders is ok but the Hood?

 

[LoKo498]

Headlights HID will still work cause Im sure they use the same bulb.
Hood def looks different on the newer gen Explorer.

 

[morziac]

headlights r definately different, they have that teardrop kinda thing underneath, and the bumper looks like it had a different shape at the front, sorta comes out further in the middle section.

 

[kstrayhorn]

My dad owns a body shop, and he says that if you take the entire front end (bumper, headlights, hood, fenders) it SHOULD work. However, I have an '02 XLT, and I can tell you that in order to do this conversion, assuming the mounting brackets are compatible, you would definitely need a bumper, grill, and headlights. The hood and fenders look pretty similar judging from the picture above. Ironically, I have both a junk '02 and '07 XLT at my shop. I am currently away, but if you don't mind waiting until, say, sometime Monday afternoon (CST), I will see if the mounts are compatible.


On a similar note, does anyone know if an F-150 bumper would be compatible on my '02 XLT?
I was thinking maybe something like this one:

Thanks, kstrayhorn

 

[zerodevil]

the core support behind all those parts is different as well, i mean the WHOLE front clip, possibly down to the radiator, i have both a 3rd and 4th gen in my driveway at this time, i can deffinately take some pics if needed.

 

[morziac]

the core support behind all those parts is different as well, i mean the WHOLE front clip, possibly down to the radiator, i have both a 3rd and 4th gen in my driveway at this time, i can deffinately take some pics if needed.

i would appreciate som pics if u could mate. we didnt get anything newer than an 04 ex down here in OZ which makes it difficult for me to go down to a car yard and compare. and i would definately be inteested in converting to the newer front clip if its not too hard.

 

[thepotroast]

My dad owns a body shop, and he says that if you take the entire front end (bumper, headlights, hood, fenders) it SHOULD work. However, I have an '02 XLT, and I can tell you that in order to do this conversion, assuming the mounting brackets are compatible, you would definitely need a bumper, grill, and headlights. The hood and fenders look pretty similar judging from the picture above. Ironically, I have both a junk '02 and '07 XLT at my shop. I am currently away, but if you don't mind waiting until, say, sometime Monday afternoon (CST), I will see if the mounts are compatible.


On a similar note, does anyone know if an F-150 bumper would be compatible on my '02 XLT?
I was thinking maybe something like this one:

Thanks, kstrayhorn

An F-150 would be more likely to fit up to an Expedition than an Explorer....F-150 = full size truck, Explorer = mid size SUV. The widths are way off.

 

[kstrayhorn]

Yeah, I figured that, but just looking at the pic above and a pic of mine it looked like it might fit. Oh well, I guess I could find a different explorer one or a ranger one to use

 

[Curtis]

There you have it

Hood is different
Headlights are different (one piece headlight and turn signal? vs 2)
bumpers are different
fog lights are different
fenders are different
fender trim is different

So visually you'd need everything forward of the doors
Thats assuming the rad support didn't change for mounting all this stuff.

 

[AldoMario]

ok looks like it def will be a big job. Guess i'll just buy new bumper and grille replace the old ones, and get rid of the scratches maybe chrome something up. Will post pics when finished gentleman ... Thanks for the replies

 

[kstrayhorn]

That sounds like a much easier route, if you really wanted to change the look of the car a little, you could do what i plan to do and get a different style bumper from either a ranger or explorer of the same body style. I am planning on doing this only because mine doesnt have the foglights and i dont like the inserts and also i slid into a ditch and messed up the bumper

 

[morziac]

That sounds like a much easier route, if you really wanted to change the look of the car a little, you could do what i plan to do and get a different style bumper from either a ranger or explorer of the same body style. I am planning on doing this only because mine doesnt have the foglights and i dont like the inserts and also i slid into a ditch and messed up the bumper

a ranger is the same size and shape aye??
wat year would that be?

 

[xplorercrazy]

3rd Gen Explorers and Rangers are completely different and most parts do not interchange. Furthermore Australian Rangers are completely different than US Rangers so the chance of anything being swapped is close to zero.

 

[morziac]

3rd Gen Explorers and Rangers are completely different and most parts do not interchange. Furthermore Australian Rangers are completely different than US Rangers so the chance of anything being swapped is close to zero.

yeh i know the aussie rangers r different, they're just a rebadged Mazda. wasnt sure bout the us versions. cheers for the clarification

 

[strengthprevails]

I was wondering if you had any new pics of the 02 exploder? I have one as well, and I am looking for ideas. I really like the hood on the pickup. did you put the hood on the ex? thanks!

 

[Sweersa]

Don't they have different frames? Not sure if that would matter.