Ok guys I need somone to help me out here, which one of these sentences (that I found in archived posts) is true?:

"if your doing a JDM conversion, if the Rad Support is in perfect condition, you can just replace the top center and inner headlight brackets"

"the radiator support has to be welded on, and the front aprons need to but cut for
the headlights."

Does the first sentence mean that I don't have to weld on the JDM bumper support, and just replace the brackets? I need these answers so I can tell the autobody shop what they need to do.
Thanks for any help!

 

no man... you gotta use the jdm radiator support. dont do it the dumbass way. use the parts that youre supposed to use.

 

ditto

 

never heard of using usdm parts for jdm conversion. sounds pretty faulty, i wouldn't try it. Don't go cheap on your ride. I agree with these guys....do it right with the right parts or you'll probably regret it. Even if it does work, it probably wont fit the same.

 

A JDM Radiator support is required.

 

Both Quotes are True, And the First Quote is From Me

The Radiator Supports Both USDM and JDM share the same Bottom section which connects the subframe.

Even the side sections of the Rad Support are the same, only the brackets for the headlights need to be switched over and the USDM ones removed.

The Only Different section are the Following
Top section, Center section, and headlight brackets.

Those sections can all be transferred onto the USDM Rad Support and the USDM Headlight brackets removed.

The quote about the "Aprons" needing to be cut is also true, They will find out once they go to mount the headlights The "aprons" need to be notched out by about 4" long and 1" back.

 

take it from a guy who did it himself both ways.
#1 i welded up and entire new rad support. that does not come with all headlight brackets.
#2 i welded only the top portion and the center verticle part of the rad support to my ITR and then the remainder 2 headlight brackets per side.

you cannot use the usdm support (top half)

on my racecar, i installed jdm front but since i pinend the hood and am not running headlights, i did not use the jdm rad support.

 

Made a Pic (USDM Rad Support in Pic)


A - These are the "Aprons" you will need to notch, one on each side
B - Are the side sections of the Rad Support (Same on USDM & JDM only the headlight brackets (2) need to be swapped)
C - Lower section of Rad Support (Same on Both USDM & JDM)
D - Center section - Must switch out the USDM one for the JDM section
E - Top Section - Must Switch out the USDM one for the JDM section.

 

Thanks TypeRmsm and Yeah LS, this really helped. I'll tell them to do my JDM conversion the "dumbass way" then.

 

Where are you getting yours done at?

 

Mike, If you dont mind can you list all the parts that is suppose to come with the complete jdm front end conversion.

 

I am wondering why people generally get the front end installed at a body shop.

What parts of the install are difficult? Welding the radiator support?

 

Here's a list someone posted awhile ago:
1. chin spoiler(painted)
2. bumper cover(painted)
3. grille(painted)
4. bumper reinforcement (bolts&washers)
5. bumper reinforcement brackets X2 (bolts &washers)
6. radiator support (comes as one unit or sold by parts-if by parts: upper,left, right,center) [also HID is a different support]
7. hood latch
8. hood
9. hood left weather stripping seal
10. hood right weather stripping seal
11. hood rubber stabalizers X2
12. right fender
13. left fender
14. sidemarker X2
15. right headlight
16. left headlight
17. fog light cover X2
18. high beam cover X2
19. turn signal socket X2
20. Red H emblem
21. fog light bulb X2
22. high beam bulb X2
23. park light bulb X2
24. low beam light X2
25. turn signal bulb X2
26. Hood latch cable
27. right fender support bracket
28. left fender support bracket
29. misc. bolts and washers
*HID headlight adds approx. 15 more parts to the list.

 

Insurance pays it, they have a frame rack, and where else? Also, many jdm converters are only doing this because of an accident. They may have radiator supports so mangled that they need to be replaced, and have frame damage on top of it all. So they need the frame stretched back to place and a radiator support welded in. This you do on a frame rack.

 

Takes for the outline!

sidenote: "click" and save for future references

 

Once you get the radiator support welded on how hard is it wo align and install the fenders, headlights, hood and bumper? Is it just like take my usdm parts off and putting them back on, or does it take more work to make them all fit straight? I am goin to be doin the conversion soon, i was thinking i can just get the radiator support just welded on and i can do the rest and then just get it all painted. What is the price range just to get the support welded on $300??

_Scott

 

You can put on the J-spec front end using the "US" radiator support.

There was a red turbocharged GSR featured way back in SCC with a Azect body kit, 18" Racing Hart Type Cs with a Gather's paint scheme using the "US" radiator support. It took a bit of creativity, if I remember from the article. Back in 1997 maybe? It may have been sponsored by STR back then.

Just drop the money for the proper radiator. It will be much less headache.




[Modified by dc24me, 11:23 PM 4/23/2002]