92 front end on 91

91White-T · Post by **91White-T** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:15 pm

I've heard that the two fronts are interchangeable, meaning hood/fenders/lights/grille/bumper. This makes sense, seeing as how its the same chassis, but how about everything except the bumper? The bottom of the headlights is the same, as is the front of the fenders. I've taken front ends off BC/BF's before, and its relatively easy, so naturally I'm thinking, better looking(and working) headlights and corners, and sidemarkers with the better looking 91 bumper. Think it'll work?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:24 pm

I don't think the fenders will mate up right to the bumper. But maybe with some massaging...

Let us know if it does work. =)

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:33 pm

Yeah, i've asked josh about this one, and many people are thinking about it. It has something to do with the length of the hoods, and the hood latch thing, which is in the radiator support, from what i understand, although it didn't make sense that way when i was doing my engine swap.. I think it actually might work, if you want to give it a try. But you have to take the fenders and all that, in order to go facelifted...

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:36 pm

The hood latch? I don't understand. The latch stays in the same place when you swap hoods, and that does work.

I actually once saw in a junkyard a post-facelift car that had a pre-facelift front end put on it.

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:44 pm

wow.. why would any one wanna do that?? (asked rhetorically, knowing it will most likely start another pre vs. post-facelift thread ..

)

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:05 pm

I figure it was probably the cheapest way to fix the car after an accident. The panels were all different colors and stuff.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:53 pm

None of the pieces are the same from prefacelift to post facelift so natural nothing will line up right if you try to mix and match. It's an all or nothing affair. My question to everyone though, has anyone ACTUALLY done this. From what I've noticed it has all been speculation. But I can quite easily see it not working without making some cuts in the headlight area depending on how the headlights are mounted on the 92-94's

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:01 am

I removed that car's headlights to look closely because I was curious, and I didn't see anything that looked like that part had been modified... the steel was the same color as the back of the car and I didn't see any welds or anything.

But maybe there was some modification involved.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 4:19 pm

what car?

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 4:23 pm

Vikash, we know the facelifted hood is shorter, so while the hood latch on the rad support will be in the same position, the ring on the hood might not be.

You'll definitely have to change the hood/fenders/lights/grille/bumper as mentioned, but it wouldn't surprise me if you have to change the rad support as well...

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 7:43 pm

The one I saw in a junkyard.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:13 pm

mike, it's like a jigsaw puzzle. you've got a picture placed on it which would be where the hood latch is. The puzzle could be cut in many different ways though the picture stays in the same place, so when you put the puzzle together the picture looks fine. See what I'm saying? Just because the hood is shorter doesnt mean they changed the location of the hood latch. They would have had to change the whole front part of the body if they wanted to keep the hood latch the same distance fromt he front of the hood. That would've been way too much work so they just changed the position of the hood latch in relation tot he distance from the front of the hood. If you're confused be all that suffice to say it will latch fine.

schubaru · Post by **schubaru** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:47 pm

ok, so from what i understand, noone on this forum has ever done this? well now i feel encouraged. lol. i hit a deer yesterday and just picked up a '92 sedan. tomorrow i will start switching parts. any words of advice or wisdom?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:39 pm

This isn't advice or wisdom, but try to take pictures for the rest of us!

schubaru · Post by **schubaru** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:49 pm

okay. well, got the digital nikon camera, repair manual, tools, jack and stands all ready. called the guy about the '92. will be picking it up later tonight. then tomorrow i'll try the swap.

quick question... the metal piece above the headlights (right behind grill) is bent on the driver side... is this welded on? would it be easier to try and just bend that piece back to its original shape?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:59 pm

I believe that part is part of the frame, yes... So heating it and bending it again might be the way to go. I don't think it has to be perfect; you just need to make sure you can mount and correctly aim the headlights.

schubaru · Post by **schubaru** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:06 pm

*SOB*

i went to pick the '92 up yesterday, but it was bad deal. the front fenders were all bent out of shape. crapola. the lights and bumper were good, but the fenders and hood were shot.

oh-well, guess i'm in the market for a new subie now....

91White-T · Post by **91White-T** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:05 am

All those panels are SO easy to replace... It'll take all of an hour.

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92 front end on 91

92 front end on 91