RA40 bonnet grill conversion

[DaveSpec]

Hey guys,

So i've got an Ra40 celica then late 70's model with the round headlights and the bonnet which comes down abit over the grill. Now this is the only thing i dont like about the car.. soo im looking to change it to one of the older version.

Was wondering for starters if people could post some pics of the other ra model front ends like the lights and grill and bonnets so i can see what it might look like and how much hard it would be to change.
Will probably be looking for measurements and parts in the future but just dreaming at the moment

[Willofan]

I like the MA45 fronts that could be adapted to an early girl. see the posts at the bottom of this page

http://www.toymods.org.au/forums/sho...t=3533&page=93

[DaveSpec]

Yeah they're pretty good, they look real trippy from the right angle with the mirrors under the lights
i quite like this one after a quick google, not sure if its off an ma45 though cause i havent seen this version
http://forums.club4ag.com/zerothread?id=98529

[Willofan]

duplicate, sorry
Mods can delete please

[JadeEstevez]

My RA40 Celica - It's got early RA40 bumpers and lights with late RA40 bonnet and grill.

http://www.toymods.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=73384

I think it looks better then any original model =P

[DaveSpec]

hey that looks much better with the chrome bumpers than the rubber stuff i do prefer those sort of bonnets but i think i like the ra23 or 28 grills but i havent seen one up close yet

[JadeEstevez]

They won't fit your car though... Your options are pretty much early and late model RA40's, GT's and MA45's (Supra's) for front end modifications. Chances on getting a GT grill are slim, but every now and then they pop up for sale.
You'll never find MA45 Supra front ends... They weren't here in Australia, unless imported, but maybe from the US you could find one for cheap, I managed to get some tail lights from a supra form the US for $200.

I think there is a GT grill for the early model RA40 but I'm not sure. I can ask on Classic-Celica.com for a GT grill to suit your RA40 if you like?

Or I might even have a late model front end for sale in a month or two. Including guards, lights, grill, bonnet, etc etc...

[DaveSpec]

I like this sort of front end
http://www.toyotaoldies.de/PPP/2004/40gross.jpg
So im guessing the newer ra40 bonnet without that front lip bit would be best. I still want the round lights so i'd keep mine.
Then i'll need a new grill to fit with the different bonnet. Just need one that is the same length as the original and i'll be able to adapt it somehow.
My first real question is, does the newer RA40 fit strait on the older styled car, or was there some change in the chassis between then models?
this one
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...a8/RA40-02.jpg
to this one?
http://www.toyotaoldies.de/treffen/s...0sb%20(20).JPG

[JadeEstevez]

It is pretty much bolt on from what I know. There will be some modifications needed but it would be easier then trying to fit RA28 front end to an RA40, That would be almost impossible...

Well I have a second square headlight RA40 and a round headlight RA40. I'm putting the round headlight model front end on my square headlight model, so then I'll have all the panels left over from it. If you want you can buy them from me, then just fit your round lights to it, Should end up similar looking to my car ;P Late model but with round headlights.

If no there are a fair few in some scrap yards, Just have to hunt for them =)

[DaveSpec]

I'll be very interested in the square headlight bonnet not sure about the grill though, if you'll have the late model left over. Annoyingly i have 2 ra40's but they're both the earlier round headlight model

[JadeEstevez]

Well You'll need the guards too, The round headlight model's guards are shorter.

Your kind of confusing me, What exactly is it you want to do? You can't swap the bonnet without swapping most of the other parts O___o

[JadeEstevez]

Well You'll need the guards too, The round headlight model's guards are shorter. You'll need the grill too unless you already have some of the late model parts...



Your kind of confusing, What exactly is it you want to do? You can't swap the bonnet without swapping most of the other parts O___o The car would look way out of proportion and you'd have trouble closing the bonnet etc etc...

You can do things like swap headlights and bumpers, but when it comes to panels you generally need more then just the bonnet.

[DaveSpec]

haha my apologese. I want an ra23 look on the round headlight ra40. So the ra40 round headlights + ra40 square headlight bonnet + a grill (not sure which one yet)
So you do need to change other panels to use the square headlight ra40 bonnet on the round headlight ra40 ?
if that makes a little more sense?

[JadeEstevez]

Exactly, to have the RA23 look your wanting, you'll need late model square headlight guards, bonnet and either original or GT grill. Then just fit early model round headlight bumpers and headlights =)

It'll look like my RA40, but if you find a GT grill, or make your own custom grill, should look more like RA23.

[DaveSpec]

alright so i'll need the gaurds and the bonnet then, would've been funny bolting the bonnet on and seeing it all not line up
Not sure what i'll do about the grill. Might make a custom one to get a different look

Was goin to ask if you'd be looking to sell your spares but im in qld so that might be a bit difficult