Cat eyes, and front end swaps

[jarydM]

As a rule, I pretty much dislike the “cat-eye” headlights, and the way the whole front comes together on the silverados from 03-06. Honestly the lines in the nbs tahoe front (and the silverados before cat eye) are just so much cleaner, and look like a better built truck.

But while searching for parts to repair the front of my nbs (post ) I ran across this.... and as much as I hate to admit it, I kinda love it. What do you all think?


Honestly, maybe I can put it together with the standard lights and hood as well, just keeping the grill, light separator peices, and the bumper assembly?

 

[Doubeleive]

I always thought my 03 Silverado bumper would look good on my 00 Yukon I never tried it but I was always eyeballing it... lol
I think some of these front clips swaps look alright and some don't, I guess it just depends on what years it is done on.
bottom line is it can be done (obviously) just takes a little work, a little patience and probably some extra parts on hand to get it just right

 

[adriver]

I keep trying to see it, but it just looks off to me. I don't like the roof racks anyways, but for me I need to see it without the bug deflector and roof rack. Both of those just throw off the lines too much for me.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

As a rule, I pretty much dislike the “cat-eye” headlights, and the way the whole front comes together on the silverados from 03-06. Honestly the lines in the nbs tahoe front (and the silverados before cat eye) are just so much cleaner, and look like a better built truck.

But while searching for parts to repair the front of my nbs (post ) I ran across this.... and as much as I hate to admit it, I kinda love it. What do you all think?


Honestly, maybe I can put it together with the standard lights and hood as well, just keeping the grill, light separator peices, and the bumper assembly?View attachment 210839
View attachment 210840

I'm torn. I do really like the bumper and grille. The cateyes, though....

 

[adventurenali92]

I'm torn. I do really like the bumper and grille. The cateyes, though....

I agree. The bumper and grille look good. Looking at the second pic head on, it looks decent, but that side view first pic just looks a bit off to me. I don’t know whether to like it or not.

 

[eohat]

More cat-eyed front end pics.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/cat-eyed-tahoe-conversion.4676/

 

[jarydM]

I agree. The bumper and grille look good. Looking at the second pic head on, it looks decent, but that side view first pic just looks a bit off to me. I don’t know whether to like it or not.

That head on pic looks great, from the side it looks like a mistake, lol.

I’ve got some time, just gotta find some parts, but I might try to make that grille/bumper combo work.

 

[camaroz1985]

Not a fan. I have always thought the 01-02 HD was the best look on the SUVs and trucks. I actually considered converting my 06 Dually to the 01-02 front end, but ended up with the Suburban so now that conversion is much easier.

 

[adriver]

Saw this one, (not affiliated)
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/chevy-tahoe/6749548695.html

That bumper Is a little off, and I would like to see it green or black. I swear if you put "FOREST SERVICE" on the side, I would think you could convince people. Maybe kick some people out of there prime camping site so you could test it for "official business".

 

[jarydM]

Saw this one, (not affiliated)
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/chevy-tahoe/6749548695.html

That bumper Is a little off, and I would like to see it green or black. I swear if you put "FOREST SERVICE" on the side, I would think you could convince people. Maybe kick some people out of there prime camping site so you could test it for "official business".



View attachment 210879

I think it only looks good with the HD grill color matched, otherwise there’s no reason not to use the 01-02 HD grill/bumper, IMO

My current pondering is if I could cobble together the bumper, color matched, grill color matched, and bumper lights, with standard top lights, and standard hood.

Maybe too much fabrication, but I’m gonna head to a pick-n-pull and take a look.

 

[camaroz1985]

I think it only looks good with the HD grill color matched, otherwise there’s no reason not to use the 01-02 HD grill/bumper, IMO

My current pondering is if I could cobble together the bumper, color matched, grill color matched, and bumper lights, with standard top lights, and standard hood.

Maybe too much fabrication, but I’m gonna head to a pick-n-pull and take a look.

Don't think that will work or look good. Bumper lights are squared off and upper lights would be round, fenders would look odd and require a lot of fabrication. It would all be kind of weird as the lights wouldn't match the shape of the grill either.

 

[camaroz1985]

I think it only looks good with the HD grill color matched, otherwise there’s no reason not to use the 01-02 HD grill/bumper, IMO

My current pondering is if I could cobble together the bumper, color matched, grill color matched, and bumper lights, with standard top lights, and standard hood.

Maybe too much fabrication, but I’m gonna head to a pick-n-pull and take a look.

Don't think that will work or look good. Bumper lights are squared off and upper lights would be round, fenders would look odd and require a lot of fabrication. It would all be kind of weird as the lights wouldn't match the shape of the grill either.

 

[adriver]

I think it only looks good with the HD grill color matched, otherwise there’s no reason not to use the 01-02 HD grill/bumper, IMO

My current pondering is if I could cobble together the bumper, color matched, grill color matched, and bumper lights, with standard top lights, and standard hood.

Maybe too much fabrication, but I’m gonna head to a pick-n-pull and take a look.

I like the murdered look more than average. This one to me is how it should look for an off-road SUV. The color matched grill looks better on a lowered street truck. I don't usually like the cowl hoods, but for some reason, when I see this one, I think it looks better with a big cowl hood on it.


You know they do make aftermarket 1 piece headlights
https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-07-Silv...SwUM5aAoKc:sc:UPSGround!85029!US!-1:rk:7:pf:0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-2007-...SwaWxa2GJ2:sc:UPSGround!85029!US!-1:rk:1:pf:0


This one is $231.. If you really didn't like em, but needed to buy parts anyways.

(headlights and grill)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-05-Chev...nw9aSH87:sc:UPSGround!85029!US!-1:rk:155:pf:0

(if you want to search a little more)
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=(2004,+2005,+2006)+silverado+headlights+grill&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_osacat=0&_odkw=(2004,+2005,+2006)+silverado+headlights+grill

 

[07Burb]

wow those are awful

 

[jarydM]

Yeah, I liked it specifically because the grill made it look more like the new Tahoe, and especially the RST

 

[adriver]

The design looks 95+% the same, but the new one looks good, and the NBS looks off. Still not sure if its the bug shield doing it.



These ones look a little better.

For what you are doing on all this, unless you somehow come into most of these parts for cheap/free I just don't see it. The 2001-2002 HD hood is still the best looking one I've seen, and you can do a similar 1 piece headlights with a different grill if that's what you like.

 

[07Burb]

 

[eohat]

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/media/just-the-front-bagged-for-now.14754/

 

[jarydM]

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/media/just-the-front-bagged-for-now.14754/

The more I look at it, the more I like it. The SS bumper really fixes a lot of the bumper issues I have.

I mean, my truck has no front right now, the deer saw to that. I’ve got to replace everything down to the radiator supports. I have found a complete front clip for a decent price, but this is always where i come to talk about our vehicles. Bounce ideas around.

Still may pull the trigger on this.

 

[adriver]

I'm really digging that one too. I think getting rid of the amber in the lights helps the look of that a lot. I prefer the non-fender flare, side steps personally, and I don't think any of those SS bumpers line up without them.