BA BF Front panels onto AU ?????

cjf · 29-08-2007, 10:36 PM

I have just bought a cheap AU Forte for $3000 with very minor front panel damage on the RH side.
And I was thinking of upgrading the front with BA / BF XR front instead of fixing the AU panels, ie. guards, bonnet , bumper ,grill ,headlights etc.
Does anyone know if it can or has been done and if so is it a straight forward bolt on process?
Im still not not sure which way to go ie. Au or BA/BF as price is approx. $1500 to go B series parts, and I will be painting it myself so all up it should cost approx $1800 , only if there is no modification required to fit a it onto AU.

JC · 29-08-2007, 10:41 PM

Yes, it can and has been done twice now. The Dok did this to his wagon, and Hotch(?) did it to a ute. It requires a bit more than just a panel and bonnet & bar and lights swap though. Do a search for it, or look at The Dok's build thread in the AU workshop section.

Casper · 29-08-2007, 10:41 PM

yes it can be done but no its not a straightforward bolt on process. A number of internal changes to the engine bay need to be made.

One of the members here, The Dok, has done it on a wagon and it was no easy feat.

cjf · 29-08-2007, 11:04 PM

Thanks guys I did try a search but nothing seemed to have any info on how to change over the front , I will try again and see if I can find DOK's post in the Au workshop.

nikos · 29-08-2007, 11:27 PM

Could look interesting on a sedan... I'd love to see the result!

BLACKAUXR8 · 29-08-2007, 11:29 PM

I have seen a sedan with it done. Had a full GT kit as well. Didnt look as good as i thought it would...

The Dok · 29-08-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjf

Thanks guys I did try a search but nothing seemed to have any info on how to change over the front , I will try again and see if I can find DOK's post in the Au workshop.

Click the link on the bottom of my sig.

StealthAu · 30-08-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikos

Could look interesting on a sedan... I'd love to see the result!

Yeah, would look real different, like a BA or something

Eu-GenixX · 30-08-2007, 09:48 AM

a BA front with an AU rear.... would be interesting to see... i've thought i've trying this too.. but i just didn't think it would look right...a BA XR front would be nice tho....

**Bundy** · 30-08-2007, 10:05 AM

Most of the early Au Brute utes did this a couple of seasons ago, since they are still only allowed to run the 302w and not the 5.4 boss, they changed the front panels to keep up to date with the current look.

sprjenkins · 30-08-2007, 10:37 AM

That looks great dok. would love to see the sedan as well

cjf · 30-08-2007, 09:38 PM

thanks dok
great result on the wagon ,what modifications were required?

The Dok · 30-08-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjf

thanks dok
great result on the wagon ,what modifications were required?

There is an (old) thread HERE which covers some of the modifications/re-engineering required, giving some insight into the task.
I should add though, if you had to pay someone to do it, in today's money, you'd be financially better off just buying a BA, fortunately I had/have the skills to do it all myself, including the paintwork, so it was (3 years ago) a reasonably inexpensive rebuild.

cjf · 31-08-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dok

There is an (old) thread HERE which covers some of the modifications/re-engineering required, giving some insight into the task.
I should add though, if you had to pay someone to do it, in today's money, you'd be financially better off just buying a BA, fortunately I had/have the skills to do it all myself, including the paintwork, so it was (3 years ago) a reasonably inexpensive rebuild.

Thanks Dok
I have a 05 Ba Mk11 XR8 , the Au is another project car for myself and my 2 sons. I have been painting and restoring cars myself for 25 years and would not even atempt to do the upgrade if I couldn't do it myself.
If you had to pay a panel shop to do this mod and paint it I would guess there wouldn't be any change out of $6000.

Sledgehammer · 01-09-2007, 07:29 AM

We will have the V8 Supercar school / Team Australia T - Series on display, the one that Ambrose brought (the one that raced in the 24hour) at the Gold Coast All Ford Day

They have kitted that out as a BA, still AU inside however. So if you're up this way you can have a good look at it.

cjf · 01-09-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer

We will have the V8 Supercar school / Team Australia T - Series on display, the one that Ambrose brought (the one that raced in the 24hour) at the Gold Coast All Ford Day

They have kitted that out as a BA, still AU inside however. So if you're up this way you can have a good look at it.

Sledgehammer sounds good I might even put the XR8 in the show. I have 2 cousins Garry & Kev who both run showcars on the coast so it will be a good chance to catch up with them.