'00 ES front to '02 front end

grob23 · Post by **grob23** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:25 pm

My neon has been parked in the driveway for a little over a year. Last winter I blew the tranny... there's holes all over it, it's bad. I'm now planning on having a new tranny intstalled this summer.

Since I'll be taking out a loan, I figure that I might as well take out a bit more and do a few things while I'm at it.

One thing I've always hated about my car is the front end. The stock bumper just doesn't have the looks I'm after. I've been doing a bit of looking around lately, and found that the 2002 front end looks 110% better, almost exactly what I'm looking for.

My question is basic: How involed is the swap, and what all from an 02 will I need to be sure I've got before I start?

I'll keep looking for anything that might help, but so far I haven't found a writeup or pictures or anything...

Info, links, and/or pics would be awesome

Thanks in advance
-Greg

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:42 pm

Screws clips different grill and bam. It does use different fogs though too.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 7:49 pm

Just the bumper, grille, clips for the grille and that's it.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:21 am

'02 fascia is the shizzle. Go for it!

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:43 am

There is nothing else needed for the front end swap. Just the bumper. It has the same mounting procedure as the 00 bumper.

Also, there is no need to spend a fortune on a new bumper. You can go to www.certifit.com to get a new one for around $30! There are limited locations around the U.S. though.

I also recommend getting the 02 front, just as every other member on here does.

Just to show you how much it can greatly enhance your car's look, here is one of mines before, during, and after.

grob23 · Post by **grob23** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:53 pm

Awesome guys, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear!

I'm still unsure about going through with a lip kit... I LOVE the looks, and there really isn't much involved, but I still don't know if I'm willing to do what it takes...

I know I can find a random '02 front bumper from the local junkyard for pretty cheap... and if I can't find one in Silver, It just gives me a reason for a repaint!

So the grille itself is different? Would making out out of mesh be too difficult? I bet I'd like the look of black painted mesh more than any stock unit... but even the mesh would be better than an empty hole

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:57 pm

If you do mesh, which I've considered several times, don't use the cheap chicken wire. Get some nice honeycomb mesh and keep it BLACK. Just do it right, and I think mesh can look good.

My 2000:

'07

Meow

Just the bolts in the fenderwells and the grill. Just swap bumpers. (I know it took me over 2 years to do mine, but there was a stage where my car looked like an SRT for ehh....2 years.

grob23 · Post by **grob23** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:47 pm

FAC3L3SS: I've been eyein your car for a while now... looks good! You've got a Honda lip on that bumper correct? I've gotta ask: what was done with your side skirts? Something aftermartket bolt on? Custom? I'd love to know

I think that about wraps up this thread though, I've got a dang good idea of what all I need to get before hand, and how to go about doing it. Thanks gang!

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:51 pm

No sir. Those are OEM SRT sideskirts. 8 pieces. 4 skirts, and 4 doorcaps. Bolt right up like R/T skirts. You'll probably have a better chance finding these now over Mopar skirts, too.

grob23 · Post by **grob23** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:53 pm

Thanks FAC3L3SS!

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:54 pm

NP man. Hope you find one of these bumpers. Best front for the reg. Neon IMO.

1972demon · Post by **1972demon** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:57 pm

if you want a silver 02 bumper w/ civic lip , buy mine , but i would want too much and shipping would be crazy

grob23 · Post by **grob23** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:50 pm

I hella wish you were closer, as that would be P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

And you're probably right, shipping across the border would be outrageous

1972demon · Post by **1972demon** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:18 am

cause you would have to crate it, but you can do one for around 100 bucks w/lip

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:35 am

From your hometown (Presumably McPherson, KS) there are two certifit locations that are around 220 miles from you. That's about 3 1/2 hour drive.

I think it's totally worth it, for getting a new bumper for $30, even with the gas calculated in there. One of our members, 2005.Neon.SXT, drove that long to get to a certifit. lol

Caraudioholic24 · Post by **Caraudioholic24** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:40 am

so is the hype of certifit really what it seems. Is the quality there?? I may in the market for a part or two just not sure of the quality!! Thanks

1972demon · Post by **1972demon** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:00 pm

mine fits pretty well, not as good as factory bumper though

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:27 pm

Correct. Mine would fit damn well, except my passenger fender is loose, so there's a small gap. They are pretty solid bumpers, IMO.

1972demon · Post by **1972demon** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:38 pm

cant beat them for the price unless you can get a PS2 one out of the wreckers for cheap. there 250 bucks up here so this is a super deal.

grob23 · Post by **grob23** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:24 pm

I'm not too picky about the color, as I'm already wanting to repaint my car... but 220 miles is too far for me... at least untill I fix the tranny