Camry & Solara LoungeDiscussion area for every generation of Toyota's family car, the Toyota Camry. Lexus ES250/300 owners welcome! Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance and more.
I was thinking of swapping my camry gen 3 headlights with the es300 maybe 96,97 model lights. I think it'll give my cam a little edge.What do you guys think? And has anybody done it?
yeah figured that a long time ago stealth. I am getting a kit and didn't want the same old cam. My boys cam has honda civic euro lights (which was a total direspect to toyota) but the closes thing to those is the lexus es 300 lights.. I like the 96 lights cause like Ufo8mycow was saying it is an easier fit but 97 light are a little more flashier. I just wanted some opinions on it I got take a closer look on the fabrication but there is no way to really understand how to do it until I dive in I buy the damn lights. So I just wanted a little inspirations from the guys at TN.
if you use the front fenders from the lexus that will cut down on the amount of body work you will have to do, in fact, the more pieces from the lexus that you can use the less body work will be involved....i've been considering something similiar to this, but i just don't know how mix and match all the body pieces are with eachother.....
Yea i could do that to. BUT!!! I stress the but, i am getting a body kit. That frigs it up. So I am figuring if i keep me same fenders and cut and sand i might get a nice fit. The ES 300 headlight goes a little bit further back than the cam but they square in shape meaning the cuts are easier. Just gotta get a set in my hands for cheap. just to see.
The bumper will be a custom( part of a kit ) The fenders stock. but i think it's just bit of grinding. But what I am really worried about is the damn hood.
So you think I am just a bullshitter It's cool. I guess you might feel I don't the resource or knowledge. That's why I posted. To see if anybody has done it. Notice who mentioned the hood. It was me right. I see more fabrication on the hood than anything else. But whatever sorry for the inconvience I'll search more before I post.
finese1, its cool that you want to do a swap, but heres a good starting point...everynow and then i work at a panel beaters so i take apart cars for repair, put them back together etc...and its then that u realise how much has gone into creating the car....each nut, bend, rivet, clip etc has a damn good purpose..
anyway, go to ur camry and take off the front headlight, take a good look at where the headlight bolted into and the like....now go to the es300 and remove the headlight, and take a good look at where it bolts/slides into...
now u should have an idea of how they are mounted....now compare their sizes...if their the same height then ur lucky in a way...you only have to cut metal on a horizontal point of view. what u have to do now is somehow replicate the es300 mounts and bolts in the camry, which in this case means some cutting, some bending, some welding, and then you might be lucky if it fits nicely, else you'll need more cutting more work etc...
then u have to prep it and paint it, but that's easy... if u can do all that urself at home...then i take my hat off to u....oh remember ur bonnet might not fit after wards so u may need to modify that too...and if u have regulations regarding modifcation of a bonnet, u need to ensure that they are adhered to....
sounds like a bit of work eh? well if u have time and money go for it, else a es300 front swap (fenders, front bar, lights , bonnet etc )would be much easier
its ur choice...but remember thats roughly how much work you will have to do mate...
I really was being cheap and didn't want to buy the lights but I guess that's what it comes down to. I mean everything that you mention I understand and thought about. I am no auto body expert but I am in the learning process but you did bring some light to the subject thanks Horse.
I have access to a shop thats where I am learning so i'm not just experimenting. But I still wanted to see anybody has done it obviously not, so I guess I am the guinea pig Regardless it is some work. I think anytime you do something new asking questions is a must.
I think you guys sometimes jump on people without reading. If you guys read my post it originally asking what think of the swap. Instead it turned into some kind test of auto body skill and knowledge. Luckily I don't get mad at ignorance.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
So I just wanted a little inspirations from the guys at TN.
its not just for you really, its for anyone considering a headlight swap of any sort other than OEM....
.
Linear Mode
