'96 Grand Marguis year interchangeablility?

[Cruiseomatic]

Just picked up a mint '96 MGM that was driven through a plaster wall. Needs new header panel and headlight assemblies. Looking online new lights are 154 a piece and the HP is 54. What other years will fit and does CV parts also fit these? Would love to have the front markers in the headlights and have the look of the newer models. Also, How common is the "Light Willow Green" paint? Would much rather find one already painted the color than spend more to have it painted to match. Already looking to get the hood and bumper sprayed and that alone will be expensive....
Thanks.

Here she is though,


GS Model with 62K original miles and showroom clean. Complete with recent maintenance records and window sticker.

[BigMerc96]

'95-'97 GMQ is direct swap everything. '92-'94 GMQ will fit as well, but are obviously different. GMQ fenders are the same '92-'02. GMQ hood is the same '92-'97 and also the same as a CV, however CV has different fenders so a complete CV nose job is a bit more involved. If you wanted, '98-'02 GMQ nose also fits provided you use a '98-'11 hood, '98-'02 hood latch and hinges, and '98-'02 bumper inner support and external cosmetic stuff like header panel and lights ETC..

Your color is fairly rare, only used on the '95-'97 cars as far as I know. I know it was definitely gone by '98, but there was color shuffling for '97 as well so '96 may actually be its last year.

[86VickyLX]

'95-'97 GMQ is direct swap everything. '92-'94 GMQ will fit as well, but are obviously different. GMQ fenders are the same '92-'02. GMQ hood is the same '92-'97 and also the same as a CV, however CV has different fenders so a complete CV nose job is a bit more involved. If you wanted, '98-'02 GMQ nose also fits provided you use a '98-'11 hood, '98-'02 hood latch and hinges, and '98-'02 bumper inner support and external cosmetic stuff like header panel and lights ETC..

Your color is fairly rare, only used on the '95-'97 cars as far as I know. I know it was definitely gone by '98, but there was color shuffling for '97 as well so '96 may actually be its last year.

Grand marquis fenders are 92-94 and 95-02. 03+ crown vics used the same fenders as the 03+ grand marquis. Hood 98-11 is the same between vics and grand marquis . The older ones are 92-97. Crown vics used a different hood 1992-1997.

[BigMerc96]

Only difference between '92-'94 GMQ fenders and '95-'97 GMQ fenders is the lack of antenna hole on the passenger side. Same goes for CV fenders of the same years. The only difference between a CV and GMQ fender is the shape of the side marker cutout, everything else is identical. There was a '94 GMQ locally that had a '95-'02 GMQ passenger fender (no antenna), '92+ CV drivers fender, '95-'97 GMQ header panel, grille, lights, and a '92-'94 GMQ bumper. All in different colors of course. Aside from the bumper not lining up to the header panel at all correct, and the odd gap between the CV sidemarker and GMQ headlight, it all fit together. I only know what year it started as because it turned up in the junkyard.

[Cruiseomatic]

Wow, Thanks for the info. So to keep it simple, Just look for a '97 HP to ensure fit. But, Would the newer style headlight assemblies fit? Looks to have the same mounting tabs and spacing.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Wow, Thanks for the info. So to keep it simple, Just look for a '97 HP to ensure fit. But, Would the newer style headlight assemblies fit? Looks to have the same mounting tabs and spacing.

‘98-‘02 GMQ headlights will not fit.

[Cruiseomatic]

Just found a 07/98 CV with a good HP, would it fit directly? Really trying to avoid aftermarket junk. Not many of these cars in my area. Other than headlights and grille, would a 05 fit also? All the other cars are destroyed or missing.

[Cruiseomatic]

Basically, besides headlights and grille, what year HPs will fit?

[Kodachrome Wolf]

‘92-‘02 will fit with your core support. ‘03+ has a slightly different core support AFAIK.

[Cruiseomatic]

‘92-‘02 will fit with your core support. ‘03+ has a slightly different core support AFAIK.

Since 92-02 will fit, How off will the grille be with the bumper? Or, Could I use an 02 bumper as well?

[mcninetyone]

I hope this answers all the questions:

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2236776

[BigMerc96]

I hope this answers all the questions:

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/u...Number=2236776

Holy crap. I totally forgot I made that post WAY back in the day.

[Cruiseomatic]

Holy crap! This thing didn't even email me with new replies. Awesome post Bigmerc! It does answer 99% of the questions except, IF from 92-02 Merc fenders were the same, Why is the corner light screw higher on some fenders and lower to middle on the later models? I also found a local yard, Practically the only yard around that has these cars and walked out with this for under $80 all in good shape. They have 9 mercs plus CV's.

[BigMerc96]

I was looking at the corner light screw on my '98. I happen to have the original corner lights off my '96 still. They actually line up perfectly, except the stud that secures it to the header panel is in the wrong spot because the header panels are obviously different. It looks like the screw hole is at the top on a Aero lens and in the middle on a Whale lens because in relation to the top of the opening on the fender it is in the middle, but '92-'97 have that chrome filler trim above them so on the lens its closer to the top. I was curious about that so I dug out the '96 housing and lined it up to my '98 Fender when I had its lights off for new bulbs.