XR front end on Forte....How hard to do?

lownloud · 25-02-2009, 01:07 PM

Would it be a big job to put an XR front end on my 99 Forte wagon? What do I need to do it?
Any help much appreciated.

**Peuty** · 25-02-2009, 01:10 PM

Well, you need the associated XR parts obviously, but with yours already having a low series bonnet, you shouldn't need anything out of the ordinary.

XR parts you will need are the front nose cone (obviously), the headlights and the headlight brackets.

I'm sure others will add anything I have missed.

JC · 25-02-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Well, you need the associated XR parts obviously, but with yours already having a low series bonnet, you shouldn't need anything out of the ordinary.

XR parts you will need are the front nose cone (obviously), the headlights and the headlight brackets.

I'm sure others will add anything I have missed.

As above, plus Front bar brackets & XR indicators. May need to do some wire shifting between the Forte loom and the XR plugs, but it's mostly pretty simple.
Have a look through Ron's thread:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11246213

lownloud · 25-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Thanks, Just what I needed!

JC · 25-02-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lownloud

Thanks, Just what I needed!

Been there and done that - it's a lot easier than it looks - just takes a few hours (and helps if you have a Haynes/gregory's manual)

onfire · 25-02-2009, 04:34 PM

Iv got a series one forte, whats the average cost of taking the car into a workshop and having the conversion done by a pro. Eg. all new parts? Or at the least a salvaged front end and lights?

JC · 25-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onfire

Iv got a series one forte, whats the average cost of taking the car into a workshop and having the conversion done by a pro. Eg. all new parts? Or at the least a salvaged front end and lights?

New front bar from ford is over $1300. Lights are around $450 per side. Labour would be a few hours, and then there's painting etc. So I'd say around $3k - much better to trade yours on one.

If you get a good second hand bar in the right colour (doubtful for yours - not many XRs made in "funny green"), then you should be able to get the bar and lights for under $1k total. Fitting should be under $300. I think Ronwest got his for around $400, but it was slightly damaged so not sure of his overall end cost.

When I did mine, I bought the bar and bonnet off Bucky for $600, and the lights and indicators cost me another $600 odd. Labour was free, as I did it.

onfire · 25-02-2009, 04:57 PM

Yeah, trade in sounds much better.
Considering a cheap but well maintained original XR8.

**Peuty** · 25-02-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onfire

Iv got a series one forte, whats the average cost of taking the car into a workshop and having the conversion done by a pro. Eg. all new parts? Or at the least a salvaged front end and lights?

Bring it found to my place and I'll charge you a third of what a pro wants to fit it.

BYO parts of course.

NC1183 · 26-02-2009, 10:48 AM

And while Dan is stuffing around with your car, sneak around behind him and steal the XR and not worry about changing the front end