Escalade Front Conversion

fireout2002 · Oct 6, 2002

Hi evryone, new guy here. I was looking at the Escalade Ext and was trying to figure out how to convert my 2002 AV front end grill and headlights to the Caddy style. Lots of headlight assemblies for sale but not clear if the hood or grill/front bumper assembly will interchange. Anybody got the hot scoop on this, thanks

jnspur · Oct 7, 2002

Welcome to the Club, fireout2002! I'm sure you can find some help with that question here! Good luck and Happy modding!

dmacker · Oct 7, 2002

Welcome to the family.

Your swap would be an interesting one, but it sure sounds like alot of work. It seems that you would lose the whole agressive AV look.

ahhyeah · Oct 7, 2002

I've put my Av next to a EXT and I think you would at least have to change the grill, headlights, bumper, hood, and front fenders. After you did all that, wouldn't it look weird half grey half black? I guess you could paint it all black. I could be wrong, I didn't get the tape measure out or anything, just my opinion. Let me know if it works?

steelheadchaser · Oct 7, 2002

I have seen several Silverado and Sierras in the custom truck mags that have installed the entire Caddy front end clip to their trucks.

02-Z66 · Oct 7, 2002

hey fireout2002, ahhyeah is correct. if you look in the Truckin' mags you will see there is an Escalade frontend conversion kit that consists of everything that ahhyeah spoke of in his post. the kit is about $1800. it will fit the old C1500's, as well as the kit for the new K1500's.
however, your truck will have painted lowers on the fender's, and grey one's the rest of the way around. i like the look of the AV frontend better myself. if you want the EXT look just go for the handles (in/out), tailgate handle, gauges, a/c & headlight knobs, and do a third brakelight mod. i'm still trying to figure out that brakelight thing myself. :B:

BIGRED_Z-71 · Oct 7, 2002

man... if you had only asked me a few months ago! i know a guy in la who does just that... only i don't know him anymore.. i remember him saying it was around a 7,000 dollar job and it was 9,500 for a total sanded cladding and painted to match, job... kinda steep for my check book... hope this helps you out.

welcome to the club.

~BIGRED

02-Z66 · Oct 7, 2002

for what an AV costs plus that price you can buy an Escalade!

otisboy · Oct 7, 2002

I have a friend who owns a GMC Yukon and converted it to a GMC Denali. He didn't spend as much to convert, however he didn't have to replace many body parts as would be the case with the Escalade conversion. I would have to agree with 02-Z66, the the cost to convert you could have purchased an Escalade.

Good luck.

zimmthumps · Oct 7, 2002

Welcome to the club!
Truckin mag always has a truck or two per issue that has done the entire caddy front end. ?You're probably looking at least $1500.

fireout2002 · Oct 7, 2002

Thanks for all the input. I tried to find an EXT today to measure it out and didn't have any luck. The front clip looks good on the ext. I am especially attracted to the headlights. Basically I found an escalade grill and 2 headlight assemblies for $240 on ebay so that got my curiosity going. The kits are just something a bit out of the ordinary. I also have to say I traded in a 02 duramax for my av. Got the zero interest thing. I just couldn't believe I didn't look at them sooner. Great rig. If anybody has anymore ideas on this mod let me know. Lookin forward to more info on all of it..