94-97 front end conversion to 98-03

[subboxmaker]

I was looking for some info a while back about the front end coversion of a 94-97 style to a 98-03. I came across this page on sounddomain.com that had a complete list of parts and approx. prices. Has anyone came across this and are able to give me a link back to it? i cant seem to find it. If anyone else has a complete list of parts i would love to get a hold of them. Thanks guys.

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Try these -- no decent pics, unfortunately. . .

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts.cfm?partfamilyid=841&categoryid=25&subcategoryid=148

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/part.cfm?PartID=474500&PartFamilyID=841&SubCategoryID=148&CategoryID=25

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/part.cfm?PartID=474497&PartFamilyID=841&SubCategoryID=148&CategoryID=25

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/part.cfm?PartID=14360&PartFamilyID=841&SubCategoryID=148&CategoryID=25

[s10blazed]

The upgrade is really easier than i think you are making it seem. All you need is the rad support, the headlights and fasteners, the new wiring harnesses, the grill, and a bumper at your discretion...

[subboxmaker]

i just talked to a guy at autopartsbuy.com, and he said i dont have to replace the front bumper. is this right?

[subboxmaker]

also, what are pig tails?

[s10blazed]

Your old bumper will work. Its just a different style than the 98+s. The fitment is the same. The pigtails are the wiring harness that plug into the headlight bulb.

[subboxmaker]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7943220369&category=33600&sspagename=WD1V

Is that right? A 94-97 rad support wont fit a 98+ will it?

[s10blazed]

That auction looks like a wholesale distributor. Most likely listed like that because he has both. They are different though. 94 - 97 (95 - 97 Blazers) are one style and the 98 - 04 are another.

[subboxmaker]

OK guys, i was gonna do the swap this last weekend. One of my friends is selling his 98 and was gonna swap me. Once we started, it got harder than we were expecting. And we only had a few hrs to do it. So we didnt do it. Is there anyone on here, or anywhere you guys know of that has like some kind of directions or a step by step thing to help me through it. The main problem was the rad support. Wat bolts all come off, what all has to come off. Any info on this subject would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance to all who help out.

[subboxmaker]

also, would a 98+ sonoma front end bolt up the same way as a 98+ s10? cause i like the sonoma front end better. thought i would check.

[s10blazed]

This is a general overview to remove the rad support. I apologize if I miss something as I'm going from memory. There is no trick to it, it's all bolts. This is from when I converted my 96 to the 98+ GMC/Olds front end. The 98+ S-10 will be the same process, although I don't know for certain if the rad supports are the same. They look like they would be interchangable I've just never had access to a 98+ S-10 style rad support. So here goes:

Remove the grill with the couple screws and pop off the retaining clips. The side markers just twist out. Unplug the headlights and move the wiring harness out of the way. Remove the hood latch assembly and airbag sensors if you need to re-use them. Remember to disconnect the battery first obviously. When I did mine I removed the battery tray and inner fenders. Once you get the battery out you will see the bolts that hold in the tray. You will need to remove that as well as the computer and coolant overflow to get the right inner fender out. Once those are off (unbolt them and flip them onto the A/C assembly or somewhere outof the way) you can unbolt the inner fender. I beleive the left one just unbolts and all the accessories on that side are attached directly to the fender. With those out you can remove the fan shroud and grounds really easy. Once those are out and the rad and a/c condensor thing (not sure of the real word for it??) are loose you can unbolt the rad support. There are only a few bolts that actually hold it on. Maybe 3 per side into the fenders then the 2 main ones down into the body mounts. Once you have the bolts out it will just take a bit of finesse to get it out. On mine I was able to pull each fender out slightly just to lift the rad support out. Be careful with the rads, there are rubber bushings you'll need to re-use. (found this out the hard way) Assembly is reverse with only minor changes. With the S-10 or GMC front you will have to splice in the different wiring harness for the headlight bulbs. You will also need to attach the headlights (duh!) and adust the hood latch. You will also need to swap over anything else such as the prop rod and the rubber stoppers. Also if its a new rad supprt be sure to make a clean metal-metal contact on the grounds and spary them with something to protect them.

Anything else just ask and I'll do my best to help you.

[subboxmaker]

wow, sounds a lot more difficult than i was expecting. i may just have to wait on this one for awhile. thanks for the info though.