A change of face?

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:25 pm

Do you guys think it's possible to put an '05-'06 hood, grille and possibly fenders onto an '03 w/o changing the bumper (cuz i like the '01-'04 bumpers, but want a flat hood.)??? Do you think i would have to trim the grille, if so, i don't think that'd be a problem...

If i'd have to take the whole front end in order to do the swap (fenders, bumper, hood and grille) then i'd prolly just wait and do a full '05-'06 front end and just substitute an ARB instead of the factory bumper, let me know what you guys think.

edit: this is pretty much what i'm shooting for at some point...but if i can take it in steps, than that will make it easier to finance (grr on going into college=having no money) but i've got a birthday and graduation comming up, so maybe i can get the 'rents to get together and do the whole thing for me (I HOPE!!!)

LINK!!!

KJ04 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:21 pm

Probably,
you're spending to much time daydreaming in class, and may never graduate in order to afford all of your daydreams. :lol:

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:14 pm

Yeah well, you only live once, might as well have as much fun as possible right? No use in making money if you're not gonna spend it. Get while the gettin's good, and any other idioms you can think of that would help me justify selling my soul to put an SFA and an '05 front end with ARB on my KJ. Not to mention lockers, coilovers, suspesion seats, a 5.9L V8 from a GC, etc.....I've got big dreams....I've actually though about it a bit, and i'll probably end up spending at least twice what i paid for this truck in upgrades.... :shock:

Oh well, it'll all be worth it in the end.

But it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:20 pm

Major trimming and welding to make this happen. I don't even think snapping on a later model front end would work without modification.

But heck, if Chip Foose can put a Chrysler 300 front end on a Dodge Magnum, this for sure could be made to work with the right amount of patience, skill, and fundage. :lol:

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:35 pm

Well, the fender mounts look identical, so that shouldn't be an issue, the hood SHOULD have the same mounting holes, the grille is going to be an issue, as well as the bumper, but an ARB would solve half of that. I've got too much time and money into this KJ to even THINK about trading it in for a new one just for looks. Not to mention, it's got its sentimental value. Maybe i'll be lucky and can find some undamaged pannels at a salvage yard or something. I really think that the area behind the grille that it actually screws into is going to pose the biggest challenge. Anyone on here had any experience with the front ends of both body styles that can throw in a little info :?:

Thanks

KJScott · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:56 pm

Probably just be easier to have a custom shop take an older style hood and modify it, add sheet metal or scrap out a newer hood. That is just a quick thought, if it would even work. Either way, whole front end or just modify hood will be costly. The old style hood looks a lot better with an ARB bumper under it.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:52 pm

I thought about this idea also. I dont know if any part of the 05 renegade is interchangeable with the other models. Check out the links to compare. You could just swap the entire front clip. I do like that flat hood look versus the curved.

05-current renegade:
http://www.jeep.com/liberty/img/enlarge_8.jpg

pre-04 limited/sport:
http://www.rockcrawler.com/reviews/jeep/liberty_2002/front.jpg

Mutt · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:03 pm

Do your parents want to adopt any adult children? :roll:

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:36 pm

An easier way to do it would be to swap to an '05-'06 Renegade hood and add fiberglass to your current grille so it's flat across the top. You'll probably have to raise up the hood catch though.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:41 pm

Freedom, proably true, i dunno, the dream is dying fast, but if i win the lottery then i guess i might go through with it. i just REALLY like the flat hood, but i can't afford a new KJ, and i don't want to give this one up either, even for a newer one. (first car and all that) i dunno, i guess i'll try to look at the respective Manuals and see if i can find anything that could help me.

LibertyN8 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:52 pm

Your are kidding right? you wanna trade them sexy curves for a boring flat hood? If you want boring buy a chevy! (Just kiddin' :wink:

)

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:20 pm

yeah, well, that's just the thing, the curves are sexy, i want beefy....

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:26 pm

Comeon, tell me the flat hood doesn;t look good. You guys are nuts.

MikeD0106 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:58 am

I'm starting to like the flat hood also. Park yours next to a new one, pop the hoods and see if you can tell what the differences might be. Cheapest idea I can come up with.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:16 am

haha, yea, i've got to go down to the dealership at some point anyway to get a nutzert for the rear tow hook, so maybe they'll be nice enough to let me take a look at one real quick...

Another thing i just noticed is that the bull bar will cover the Jeep emblem on the curved hood, but on the flat hood, the Jeep emblem will be above the bull bar, just like it should be.

MoparKJ · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:02 pm **Posts:** 18

pixeldzn wrote:

Major trimming and welding to make this happen. I don't even think snapping on a later model front end would work without modification.

But heck, if Chip Foose can put a Chrysler 300 front end on a Dodge Magnum, this for sure could be made to work with the right amount of patience, skill, and fundage. :lol:

Chip Foose didnt do anything... its an easy job of switching the 300 front on a magnum, it bolts right up...

about the Libby, why do all the work just for a flat hood? But yea, anything can be done, with the right about of fabrication.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:35 am

why not do it, it might cost a bit, but it should all just be bolt-off, bolt-on stuff....money is the only issue, and it seems to always be the issue.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2006 1:31 pm

I know there are some people out there with 05-06 liberties who like the 01-04 front ends better. If anyone is interested in a swap just let me know...even if you're a limited who just wants my fenders grille and bumper, that will get me a lot closer to where i need to be....also, if anyone can grab me the part numbers off of the Renegade grille, bumper, fenders, flares and hood, that'd be awesome, thanks...

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

If you want "beefy", why not add one of these hoods. It's a direct bolt on.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2006 4:23 pm

Oh, we want a hood scoop?

A change of face?

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