Radiator Grill Swap

[stevenlizuk]

Hello All,

Be nice as I'm a newbie and no not what I ask.

Can the D8 radiator grill be swapped with the newer and much posher D9 grill.
I'm just about to buy a D8 and the old slatted grill looks crap.

Plus can you point out any problems I might get with the car.
Engine wise I'm ok as I had a Xantia with the same engine but don't kow what to expect elsewhere.
Are the Pugs wired by the same blind guy that wires the Cits?

It's a 98 2.1 LX estate.

Cheers
Steve

[Blue406]

Technically you can swap the grills. But not on their own.

In order to put a D9 Grill on a D8 (in a proper, clean and good looking fashion) you would also need the following D9 components:

Bonnet
Slam Panel
Headlights
Bumper

Why? Well, the headlights on the D9 stretch further into the centerline than they do on the D8, so the grill is a good 10 centimeters or more smaller as a result.
If you just whacked it onto your D8, you'd have huge gaping holes each side. So you'd need to get the D9 headlights to make it look right.
And thats where the new Bonnet, Slam Panel and Bumper come in. The D9 headlights are bigger than the D9, so you'll need a D9 bonnet with the correct cout outs on its leading edge to accomodate them, same with the Bumper. And to make the D9 bonnet close properly you need the D9 Slam Panel as there is only one catch on the D9 bonnet, as opposed to the 2 that you find on the D8.

The short answer to your question: No... as much as I'd like it to be yes!

[Benner]

I actually prefer the D8 grill.

[Blue406]

Quiet in the cheap seats over there!

[Benner]

Quiet in the cheap seats over there!

[mjb]

Plus can you point out any problems I might get with the car.
Engine wise I'm ok as I had a Xantia with the same engine but don't kow what to expect elsewhere.
Are the Pugs wired by the same blind guy that wires the Cits?

It's a 98 2.1 LX estate.

Well problems mostly revolve around jealousy from D9 drivers because you'll have a solid, reliable car ;)

The electrics in the D8 are simple and mostly work fine. Interior bulbs do seem a little happy to blow though, but they're all easy enough to replace. There have been a few reports of dodgy radio aerial wiring, but mine's happy... If the one you're getting has an immobiliser, I'd check the keypad works and set it to work from the keyfob instead as there's been a couple of people who've seen their wiring break due to the stress of movement. Heated seats can give problems too


You'll also want to buy the Haynes manual, a set of torx screwdrivers/bits and either a spider wrench or a new set of locking wheelnuts

[Captain Jack]

Bluey, I thought you would need to change the wings as well... or are they the same?

[wes1001]

Yep pretty sure the wings have to go as well due to the differing tapers on the lights

[stevenlizuk]

Thanks all for the tech help.

Looks like I'll be sticking with the old grill then.

I had my doubts about the new bonnet and lights but hadn't seen the two cars together.

Thanks all again.

Steve

[Blue406]

Bluey, I thought you would need to change the wings as well... or are they the same?

Yep pretty sure the wings have to go as well due to the differing tapers on the lights

I've seen a D9 with a D8 wing and vice versa.
It would appear that the Indicator end of the D9 headlight unit tapers in identical fashion to that of the D8 unit.

The only difference I can see in the wings is the position of the indicator repeater.

[Captain Jack]

Damn you.... you are now making me wanna spend lots of money on a D9 conversion .....

[stevenlizuk]

Ah yes,

The reliability of the D8 with the chic looks of the D9.

Worth thinking about though.

Cheers
Steve