Prior owner got in a small fender bender and damaged the small body panel trim between the bumper and the grill (front grille filler panel is the official part name I believe). I didn't think much of it since I'm replacing the front bumper anyway and not interested in repairing the bumper cover or damaged bracket, but that piece of metal is a nightmare to find. OEM part on eBay is $260 for literally 4'x1" piece of metal. I might be able to salvage the existing one but its in bad shape. Every part out sells the whole front end as a unit so its been impossible to scrap, and every unit in the salvage yard has front end damage. So I have 3 options;
1) Keep hunting/buy crazy expensive piece
2) Buy the grill and trim pieces to convert to an '07 front end ($150 cheaper because the parts are easy to find). This looks like a direct mount replacement with out having to change the lights, basically 2 small trim pieces and a taller overall grille.
3) Cut the fender panels so the bull bumper can mount higher and fill in the missing space from where the trim piece used to be.
Any advice appreciated, would really like to know if anyone has done #2. There's a kit for #2 that includes new front lights as well for $750.
1) Keep hunting/buy crazy expensive piece
2) Buy the grill and trim pieces to convert to an '07 front end ($150 cheaper because the parts are easy to find). This looks like a direct mount replacement with out having to change the lights, basically 2 small trim pieces and a taller overall grille.
3) Cut the fender panels so the bull bumper can mount higher and fill in the missing space from where the trim piece used to be.
Any advice appreciated, would really like to know if anyone has done #2. There's a kit for #2 that includes new front lights as well for $750.
