Toyota Forum banner

Interchangeable/Replacement Parts

52K views 27 replies 17 participants last post by  davidnunn024  
#1 ·
Hello, I have a 2003 Corolla CE that recently had a run in with a telephone pole, I plan on checking the wreckers for replacement parts (hood, front fenders, front bumper, headlight) Does anyone know what years are interchangeable with my car - the local Toyota dealer didn't know ??
 
#2 ·
For:

Hood: Any 03-08 Corolla (I may be wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure the hood stayed the same after 04...see blurb below about the bumper)

Front fenders: Any 03-08 Corolla

Front bumper: 03-04 ONLY if you're going to replace the grille with an 03-04 grille; the grille design and shape changed slightly in 05, and it was just enough that the front bumper was slightly reshaped as a result (so if you put an 03-04 grille on an 05 bumper or vice versa, they will very visibly not fit right with gaps in spots, or not fit together at all). Along with that, the in-bumper fog lights changed shape starting in 05+, so whether you have the fog lights or the blank plastic inserts that go in their place in the bumper, there's one style/size for 03-04, and one for 05+.

Headlight: Any 03-08 Corolla

Basically, pick one or the other between 03/04 and 05+ when it comes to the bumper and grille, as those need to match each other. Everything else stayed the same throughout the generation.

EDIT: And now that I took 5 seconds to see where you're from I have to say take my information above with some skepticism...I'm going strictly by US cars. I'm not sure if there were any serious differences in Canada, and I doubt it, but just in case, hopefully someone who knows of any other differences than what I noted can chime in. I'm pretty sure they're the same body-wise, though.
 
#3 ·
The only differences I think of relating to Canada in any way is the limited production run of the Canadian Edition Corolla. I think it was just 2005, which means that your Corolla isn't one. I'm not really sure how to spot exterior differences of the two cars, though a VIN search may turn up results.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
#4 ·
The two grilles are noticeably different: the later one has a larger chrome trim around the outside and the slats are perforated, where the older one has solid slats that have a small chrome trip on their front edges...it ends up looking a lot more plasticky because it has less chrome on it, heh.

The only other difference on cars that didn't have the obviously different ground effects of the 05+ S models, is the rear lights. Again, don't know if they followed suit in Canada, but 03/04 had turn signals that were an amber cover with a white bulb, while the 05+ had a clear cover with an amber bulb.

Those are really the only easy distinguishing factors besides something silly like wheels covers: grille and fog light style changes up front starting in 05, larger ground effects on the 05+ S models, and clear turn signal covers with amber bulbs on the 05+ cars.

Now, dors16, if you really want a challenge, try to see if the entire front clip (fenders, hood, lights, and bumper) of a Matrix will bolt right onto a Corolla! That'll be an interesting change.
 
#5 ·
All parts aside from front bumpers and grilles and fog lights (or covers is you don't have fogs.) Hell, you could even throw on an 05-08 bumper and grille if you can find one at a salvage yard. Direct bolt on.

I've seen a 9thgen with a Matrix front end swap. Don't know if any fab work was done...
 
#6 ·
I'm sure some fabrication is needed - the bumper, grill and fenders are different. I remember seeing it done (maybe on old 9thgen.com). Can't remember what the verdict in looks was but it would be weird i think.
 
#9 ·
No worries, just busting your chops. Didn't have time to throw a smiley in there earlier. I'm not even sure if the original poster has seen any of this info since they posted a while before any replies came to the thread.
 
#13 ·
One more difference I didn't see posted (correct me if I'm wrong though, lol) is that the Corolla S and XRS fenders and bumpers have the mounting holes for the side skirts and front lip (lips depending on year) whereas the CE and SE don't have skirts so you wouldn't have those holes.
 
#14 ·
Just want to put in here for a little bit just got done taking a 2004 Toyota matrix 5 speed and change the entire front end off of a 2010 Toyota Corolla type S! And it was hell right I'm still working on it to get everything buttoned up with a few modifications and some Bondo but I've had nothing but praise for it but it also helps that I change the entire front interior also with the 2000 Toyota Camry type S interior was going to work on the doors to see if they fit or what I could do to see if they fit so I'll put some pictures up real quick so you can see the progress let me know what you think.
339370
 
#20 ·