has anyone ever..

[SoulOnFire]

found out a way how to change to the newer generation (98+) headlight style in the front from the old 97 and down style? I hate my headlights because i can drive with the brights on and no one even notices because my lows are that bad

[Joker2040]

Have you adjusted them?

[Jigg]

I did it on my last blazer. It's actually very easy to do. You'll need the 9005/9006 pigtails and bulbs(2 of each), L&R headlights, grille, and turn signals. If you want the signals in your bumper to work(optional), you'll have to get the pigtail and bulbs for that as well.

You'll have to line everything up and bolt it all to the existing radiator support. There are two tabs on the 98+ headlights that need to be ground down for the headlight to sit flush on the radiator support (this is if you want to bolt them to it, if you want to clip them, leave the tabs and cut out the hole for the tabs, i found it easier just to bolt them in). Before you do any drilling on the passenger's side, remove your battery, or you will drill through it. Trust me, i did (RTV will seal it back up FYI). I had a wiring diagram awhile back on how to wire up the new bulbs, i'll see if i can find it.

It took me like three hours the first time, but i'm confident that i could do it in under an hour if i had to do it again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Jigg1300/Blazer/fd23d274.jpg

98+ grille:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Jigg1300/Blazer/Front_End.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Jigg1300/Blazer/Lights2.jpg

[00S104.3]

Lots of people do these front swaps. You just need to find a core support from a 98 and up, as well as a grille, grille emblem, headlights, turn signals, wire harness for the lights, and depending on where you get the grille it may or may not have the metal clips that attach it to the core support. They are pretty cheap from the dealer. Someone else chime in if I forgot anything.

[Blazer69]

wow am i the only one who likes my 96 front end? lol

[Jigg]

Lots of people do these front swaps. You just need to find a core support from a 98 and up

You don't actually need the core support, IMO it's way more work than it's worth. To change out the core support you need to unbolt the fenders/radiator/etc... much easier just to screw the grill to the existing support.

[SoulOnFire]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/soul666/truck5.jpg

Thats how my truck used to look before the ohio winter ripped the whole bottom half of the front clip off. Would it still work with the bodykit i have on now?

[00S104.3]

You don't actually need the core support, IMO it's way more work than it's worth. To change out the core support you need to unbolt the fenders/radiator/etc... much easier just to screw the grill to the existing support.

Me personally, I would want to use all of the correct parts nomatter how difficult it is. I think the parts will work best if done correctly. I'm just a perfectionist. A wise man once said " If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right"

[Jigg]

What's wrong about bolting it to the existing support? Just 'cus the factory does it one way, doesn't mean it's the only way to do it, otherwise none of us would have any mods on our trucks.

[SATAN'S RIDE 666]

i am not to crazy about mine and its a 2000

[00S104.3]

What's wrong about bolting it to the existing support? Just 'cus the factory does it one way, doesn't mean it's the only way to do it, otherwise none of us would have any mods on our trucks.


There's nothing "wrong" with bolting the headlights on. Glue them on for all I care.:) I was just saying I personally would not do it that way. The original poster can read about the different ways to accomplish this swap and make their own decision on how they want to do it.

[SoulOnFire]

So how about that diagram jigg?

[Jigg]

For some reason, i remember the green and brown being the opposite than in this diagram when you wire them to the new harnesses. I think green is high and brown is low (on my truck anyways)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Jigg1300/fd800366.jpg