Grill question

[Jeff532003]

Hey guys. I've decided I want to replace the grill on my 98 expedition. Looking on eBay I see some grills that are marked 2wd only less marked 4wd only and the majority not specifying which they're for. So my question is, is there actually a difference between the two as far as mounting and fitment goes or is it just the style of the grill that's different?



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[Canadian Expy]

For grills there should be no difference, only the year matters

 

[ydopen]

Make sure you get a 97-98 Grill.

 

[RobertNol]

The only difference you should have to pay attention to is some models had a flat bottom grille, others had a dip in the middle where the honeycomb is.

Im not sure if models/years made the diffrence or if it was just based on each individual vehicle.

 

[FordandPolaris]

The ones with the dip were the 99-02 ones. The 97-98's were flat in the middle.

 

[RobertNol]

The ones with the dip were the 99-02 ones. The 97-98's were flat in the middle.

That's what I thought but when I bought my 97 it had the grille with the dip, had me a little confused.

 

[Jeff532003]

Thanks guys. I really didn't see how there could be a difference between 4 and 2wd on the grill. Wonder why the sellers are labeling them 2wd or 4wd only.


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[Maverick1701]

That's what I thought but when I bought my 97 it had the grille with the dip, had me a little confused.

so does my 97 (have the grill with the dip/indent in the middle). I always thought it was the other way around. Are we sure on this before I commit it to memory?


I always thought 97-98 had this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/97-98_Ford_Expedition.jpg

then 99-02 had this (because after I bought my 97 I was told I should have picked up a 99+ due to the facelift/updated front end)
http://static.cargurus.com/images/s..._eddie_bauer_suv-pic-2634530530595511521.jpeg

 

[RobertNol]

Well I just did the old Google search and everything I am finding defiantly says that the "dip" started in 99. We must have both bought our vehicle that the previous owner swamped the front fascias. With that being said if you do decide to do the swap it's very easy all I needed was the grille, bumper and bumper mounts that mount the bumped to the frame.

 

[Lightnig]

so does my 97 (have the grill with the dip/indent in the middle). I always thought it was the other way around.

This is the stock early gen 1 shape



My '97 with a '98 F-150 grille.

Don't care for the PU style insert, but once I get an aftermarket insert it won't make a lick off difference.

The larger vertically, more oval shape came in later years. If that is what you have then it must have been swapped out by the previous owner...

 

[rex450se]

Well I just did the old Google search and everything I am finding defiantly says that the "dip" started in 99. We must have both bought our vehicle that the previous owner swamped the front fascias. With that being said if you do decide to do the swap it's very easy all I needed was the grille, bumper and bumper mounts that mount the bumped to the frame.

The dip they are talking about on the 99-02 is the dip down in the front bumper making the grille area larger. The dip on the 97-98 is noticed when standing beside the truck looking across the front of the truck and the grille has a little inset dip in line with the ford emblem. The one most people refer to though is the dip down into the bumper on the 99-02 models.

Victor

 

[TactialMonkey]

just make one like I did a whooping $7.58 at homedepot cut and paint and secure it I think it looks good.