99-02 to 03-06 Silverado Front End Swap! Cat Eye Conversion from Start to Finish

Went with the 03-05 style over the 06-07 just because it has always been my favorite style. The first truck I owned that I was proud of was an 04 black silverado crew cab so I'm trying to model this one after that truck.
The reason this works is the 99-06 trucks are all the same generation, they just did a face lift and redesigned the front end basically, so all the parts are direct bolt on apart from the bumper.
Headlight bulbs plug right in, fender liners are the same, and the hood hinges are the same.

[@bradleymeyer9775]

This is one of the reasons why I love the older GM trucks, it’s easy to swap out the parts because they ere all the same back then.

[@bkgarage6658]

Am I the only one who likes 99-02 interior better than 03-06 and I also like the looks of the 99-02 better as well

[@keithschannel1302]

I'm the same way man he ruined the truck now to me just buy a stupid cat eye with a manual transmission if it's got an automatic buy a 5. speed for it not ruined a 99 to 02 model with the ugly ass cat eye look

[@tedinskib5234]

Not sure about the interior, but I agree that the '02 front end looks "Mucho Gooder" to me, than the cat eye look.

[@DONKEYSHIEET]

Nah man cat eye all the way

[@okcman34]

The interior is almost the same

[@kaitlyntherasse8357]

I wanna swap my 03 to a 02 2500hd

[@BrayanGarcia-bo8sc]

I also did a cat eye conversation on an 02 and I think the cat eye is the best looking front end personally

[@taitenst.romain1451]

Brayan Garcia did yours come out any better then the one in the video?

[@jamesearlcash7725]

They're the second best looking truck in my opinion after the 95-98. Then 67-72.

[@valdo05]

How long was the process ?

[@danbrown935]

Holy. I still hate the cat eye look.. I’d be doing that swap in reverse!!!!!

[@4klz]

@@danbrown935goofy

[@BernonCars]

I kinda like the classic look of the original front end

[@TyBrink]

I know a lot of people do, but this style is one of my all time favorites. Not to mention the fenders, hood, bumper and grille were all damaged in some way so it was a perfect opportunity.

[@samsquires2877]

Bern on Cars yeah not fake like he made it.

[@gueroburban4989]

Ty Brink I agree with you 03-06 look way better

[@trevorjameson3213]

I just found your video, and others similar, about converting to the cat eye front end. I bought my Chevy "cat eye" silverado brand new back in '05 and would have never thought the cat eye look would become so popular. But, I'm glad it did. I think it was a little ahead of it's time when it came out, because a lot of people hated it and thought it was ugly, but I guess over time, people started to really like it. I always liked it, and thought it looked good, especially with the cool looking contoured hood. I don't buy Ford trucks, so even if I hadn't liked it, I still would have bought my Chevy truck (which I still have and it still looks and runs great).

[@TyBrink]

When I was growing up before I could drive, I loved the 03-06 Silverado. It has always been my all time favorite style truck. I thought everyone liked the cat eye style until people started commenting on this video! You're one of the only comments about liking it and not saying I ruined the truck!

[@lspaul13]

@@TyBrink the cat eye front is way more popular its just that one guy commented hating an everyone has to copy 😂

[@Mjc103]

Those Texas edition 20's you have on your SWB would really pop on Rusty as well. Great Vid!

[@BrandyJ101]

Will definitely be referring back to this video if I ever get the chance to do this to my 2000 1500. Thanks for posting this video!

[@MrMazda-yw1cr]

Love love LOVE that truck!! And you and your father done a great job there... looking forward to seeing the rest of the modifications you’re gonna do

[@Z71__]

You should put the 03-06 steering wheel with controls that would make the interior look nice!! Also it would be a great DIY video.

[@spark4039]

The 03-06 steering wheel kind of looks like a batman symbol. It's my fave

[@emyers2012]

I'd watch that, and possibly do it since my avalanche is 02.

[@cyclark8762]

Yea that would be a good vid.

[@codyyellott117]

Good luck

[@shadowopsairman1583]

You can take the air bag module from 07 classic and 07 and swap them...

[@mattconner8469]

I personally like the 99-02 front end better

[@Lemuz10]

99-02 Hd front end is in my opinion is the best looking

[@user-rv3jh8vw8k]

elcompaernie 10 hell yea, that I can agree with

[@D.T.350AG]

@@Lemuz10 i was about to say the same..lol..thats wht i did to my 01

[@chanseormon]

Matt Conner I like the 03-06 Front End better than the 99-02 Front End

[@mattconner8469]

@@chanseormon my all time favorite is 1994-1998 GMC front ends

[@BayAreaMCs]

Yes!! Finally, ive been looking for this video for weeks

[@Comm0ut]

Thanks for posting! Now I know about the bumper brackets which is nicer than being surprised.

[@gstubbz]

Looks great! Thank you for the info on how to remove things, I am slowly learning a bit more about the gmt800 era! Maybe someday I'll end up with one I've owned a countless number of gmt400s!

[@aaronjensen592]

This is technically only an 03-05 swap. 06-07 classic have a different grill/hood

[@TyBrink]

I am aware. I put 03-06 in the title because that's the common year range for that style of truck, so people could find the video easier when searching. I tried to explain a couple more things further in the description. Like I said I'm aware of the differences. 03-05 half ton and 03-04 hd's are the same. HD trucks hood and grille changed for 05-07 classic, and 06-07 classic in half ton.

[@tonyguerra7799]

Same shit the hood bolts on the same and so does the grill

[@WhatIsKenDoing]

You are correct

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Yes the HD end. Which looks better than 03-05

[@shadowopsairman1583]

@@tonyguerra7799 wrong the grill and hood are different between 03-05 and 06-07, only the fenders are the same

[@tomheath7146]

My opinion the 99-02 is a much nicer front end than this.

[@privateparker5698]

The entire is the bigger problem for me

[@chevy9599]

So true the 99 to 2002 the only way to go

[@BrayanGarcia-bo8sc]

Personally cat eye is the way to go

[@tyschultz6053]

Cat eye looks way better imo

[@Ty1erFrs]

Excellent video. I was just gifted a 02 1500 from my grandparents. Hope to restore the look of the truck and this is something I'd like to do.

[@RecklessEnterainment]

I personally prefer the older front end but maybe it’s just me lol

[@TyBrink]

Not just you, read the other comments lol.

[@RecklessEnterainment]

Ty Brink everyone has what they like lol just go with what makes you happy lol

[@Aglets97]

Yeah the older front end is way better. This front end urks me.

[@Karmy.]

Same

[@fransiscoh9450]

Hey guys I recently purchased a 00 Silverado and it has a cat eye swap. I prefer the original look and the cat eye swap looks fucking crippled so would it be a easy change back?

[@smrtrbl86]

Thank you for that. I'm glad someone did a video. I've been dragging my feet mostly cause I color matched rhino liner my entire truck....

[@luisortiz2531]

Wow looks amazing I’m in the process of doing this on my GMC to a cat eye

[@tedinskib5234]

I'll take the '02 parts, to put on my '05.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Wiring harnesses tend to be different...

[@zorinfacer]

hey quick question i know this video is older but if i have an 01 silverado do i need to buy a specific car eye stuff like year wise or can i buy any year cat eye headlights fenders hood grill ect

[@TyBrink]

@zorinfacer anything from 99-06 will be interchangeable but the grill and hood is different from the 03-05 and the 06-07 classic. So you'll want to match the hood and grill to those years

[@zorinfacer]

@@TyBrink thanks so much

[@jesussolis6915]

Can I do this 2005 switch to a 99-02 face swap?

[@TruckCamperCooking]

looks great man. thanks for the tutorial. definitely would like to do this on my truck and this is one of the best how to videos showing it

[@82ndairborn68]

Bro this is my truck awesome same color and everything

[@lsxcole7039]

Looks 1000 times better!

[@mauricewilliams612]

Your truck looks great with the cat eye swap. I have a 00 suburban I would love to do the same thing to

[@kmam11509]

Man you got a steal on these prices

[@strumminandwrenchin9162]

I want to buy a 2000-2002 silverado JUST like yours and plan to convert the front end to a 2006-07 1500 front end when i get promoted.

[@Katryoshka]

Do you think that I would be able to do this cat I cat eye conversion on my 2006 GMC Sierra 2500 HD series? I do not know if the sizes are different for everything

[@TyBrink]

Yes I think it's possible. It should be the same process basically that you see here.

[@Aero_HER_Dynamic]

I have a ‘00 Silverado single cab. Is it possible to do a 07-2010 front end with the one piece headlights????

[@TyBrink]

It's probably possible, but it will have to be custom fit and the fenders won't match up with the doors.

[@mikehoncho8268]

Heres a 2001 with a newer escalade front end gmauthority.com/blog/2016/03/2001-chevrolet-silverado-gets-a-frankenstein-like-cadillac-conversion/

[@brent440]

if i had an o5 i would want to swap to your old front end. takes a stand up guy to prefer the cats eys, but just watch, as these hated styles will be treasures one day like my 64 c10. they were considered ugly too. theyre really not that bad

[@asvpxmi6uel]

So if I wanted to do this reversed would it be pretty much the same ?

[@PeteS528]

I think I might do the exact opposite but the video is super helpful. Thanks for filming the process.

[@NiteHawk861]

Nice job. Kinda bummed you didn’t go with the hd hood

[@TyBrink]

I have just always liked the 03-05 half ton style the best, but if a good deal would have popped up on a 06 hood and grille I probably would have gone that way.

[@judondatruth106]

Good job on the swap I’m doing a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2 wheel drive but I got the 06-07 HD grill and hood what frame horns are needed

[@TyBrink]

03-07 classic silverado half ton frame horns should be the same if you're doing a half ton.

[@judondatruth106]

Ok so also do the bumper and pads from a 2 wheel drive

[@TyBrink]

@@judondatruth106 2wd or 4wd won't matter, the bumpers should all be the same. The frame horns and bumpers are different on 3/4 ton trucks though.

[@bagged91s10]

Great video love the swap definitely looks good 👍 keep up the great videos bro

[@jake-rx9rs]

Im a fan of the round body look i love my 99

[@chevylandt.v]

I don't get why you would put on the cat eyes on older model i perfer the old one but still a good video

[@TyBrink]

I put this front end on it because I like it better and it's my truck! Not to mention both fenders, hood, grille and bumper were all damaged in some way so I needed to replace them anyway.

[@chevylandt.v]

@@TyBrink oh I see well any way I am not hating your video I find it very helpful infact , it came out good and I wasn't that hard very easy to do nice by the way.

[@fintansky9369]

@@TyBrink It ruined the truck since the cat eye models have sharper overall than the 99-02 models.

[@klaadrf8557]

Can I just change the headlight bracket to put Cateye headlights or do I have to change fender too ?

[@skippyboy88]

The 04 suburban and Tahoe doesn't have the cateyes. Are the basically 02 Silverado front end

[@twiztid1fiddy]

I want that front bumper you took off

[@TyBrink]

I would say come and get it but I'm guessing you don't live anywhere near Iowa

[@littlefarmtosee4709]

You should put the 2500 HD conversation

[@Reddog794]

I want to do this to my 05 2dr Blazer with the 05 Colorado front

[@nicholasburgett3840]

im doing the opposite getting rid of the disgusting cat eye for the cleaner round eye, Great info in the video tho! thank you for the video

[@JaviGarcia1]

Do you know if the headlamp harness is the same from 99-02 and 03-06??

[@richardf5444]

I have a question in a 2006 GMC Sierra can you swap the 2002 or the 2006 silverado headlight?

[@bradentworow9750]

Does the box have rust under the flares?

[@TyBrink]

Yeah it's junk, I'm still looking for a good rust free bed. I show the rust under the flares at around 3:46 in this video I'll link here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZqVgKufgb19m6s

[@coreythefam6455]

What’s wrong with the 99-02 U don’t like how it looks?

[@emyers2012]

It's been 15 hours. Just wondering if you got to the point in the video where he says it looks better with the new stuff.

[@emyers2012]

@@coreythefam6455 took another 10 hours to decide to come back with a second reply? 🤣🤣🤣

[@coreythefam6455]

ErikfagMyers what are you talking about? Second reply 10hrs later? This is my first reply. I think you need to stay off the meth and watch ur child boy.

[@emyers2012]

@@coreythefam6455 so were deleting comments? Ahh ok. Only meth heads delete thier comments. See what I did there.

[@coreythefam6455]

Erik Myers deleting comments LOL u literally made that up 😂

[@richardresendez2325]

Was it hard with the fuse box in the way?

[@franciscopinedo1552]

it came out wonderful

[@twiztid1fiddy]

Thanks for posting. I will be referring to this vid for my swap

[@BrucePierson]

Looks way better with the front end changed. It would have been good if you'd showed a before and after picture at the end.

[@joeg.1119]

Now the 06’ rear taillights and the wheels and you be good to go...!

[@darrelldemby3961]

What made you want the cat eye look

[@edwardvasquez218]

Yeah. I agree im not a cateye fan. Looks good. Good luck.

[@Chev_Dev]

Can't you use the same bumper so you don't need to weld the frame piece on

[@apollocreed2089]

Is there any other difference in the frame from an 06 to 02 other than the bumper mounts?

[@TyBrink]

I can't say 100% but I'm guessing they're probably identical apart from the bumper mounts yes.

[@heidig6530]

Where can I purchase a bug shield??? Red tail hawk got mine, not once, but twice!

[@richardresendez2325]

Nice looking a lot better

[@chuyontop-gp2te]

do you think i can do with with the same stuff on a 01 tahoe?

[@skylerzuck4155]

What pick and pull did you go to? I’m in north east Iowa

[@TyBrink]

I go to a lot of different ones but the main 2 I get most of my parts are nordstroms in Sioux falls and a1 crashed cars in sioux city. There are probably a few closer to you, these are as far as you can go in western Iowa.

[@jamesbarrentineiv113]

Is there a way to leave the stock bumper and hood?

[@nicholasglambeck6982]

What would i require to change my 2001 silverado headlights to sierra headlights? Aftermarket sierra headlights look way better

[@TyBrink]

I'm not sure but I would guess in order to make them fit right you would need sierra fenders hood and grille maybe the whole front end.

[@RusticShine]

guna be doing this with a 2500hd 02 to 03 swap. the 02 is smashed as it rolled down my hhill and hit my trailer.

[@isaiahlisbonjr.9123]

I prefer the 99-02 bubble eyes! Never been a fan of the cat eyes. But I only find videos of the cat eyes swap.

[@TyBrink]

I always thought everyone liked the cat eye better, but this video has definitely changed that seeing all the comments similar to this lol

[@JacobAthens]

Very Nice video . I have a question Tho , Can i turn my 04 Chevy Silverado Front end to a 1999 Front End ? Plz Reply Thank You .

[@TyBrink]

Yes it would be the same process as this

[@tyurie814]

So does the bumper have to be changed, my 04 tahoe has a nice black painted bumper that I don't want to get rid of

[@TyBrink]

Yes the bumpers are different from 99-02 to 03-06 on the Silverados

[@tyurie814]

@@TyBrink do you know if the brackets are the only major difference, or if it just doesn't fit. Because the round eyes still look good just not great.

[@edwinmonterroza7426]

Should have done the hd. I have an 06 hood and grill looks better

[@AP9311]

Looks easy to do. So you had to put bumper on with brackets on to line them up to the front chassis legs then tack it to hold it before you took bumper off to weld it fully? And how long you figure how long from start to finish?

[@TyBrink]

I measured where the brackets sat on the old frame pieces, and then I just tacked them on the truck in the same position. They were centered left to right and the top part measured about 3/4" above the frame. Tacked them on level and where I thought they needed to be then test fit the bumper. We started working on the truck at 3pm and I finished up around 9pm, so it took my dad and I about 5-6 hours together.

[@AP9311]

@@TyBrink oh very nice! 5-6 hours is not that bad at all. Very nice job!! Looks so clean and square!

[@Florida_man_in_training]

Im thinking about Cateye swapping my suburban, any tips?

[@Itsme83.]

I just bought an 06 1500 wt and noticed the front frame was cut and welded but it’s an 06 bumper. Not sure what they did. Thought that was wierd.

[@TyBrink]

Could be they put the taller HD bumper cap on, if that's not it then I don't know why either

[@raulmadrigal3316]

Hey Um if you don’t mind me asking where did you get your front bumper brackets from ?

[@chrisg0529]

Did you have to do anything with the plugs for the lights ?

[@vtx1300c74]

u do not

[@laconfusa7219]

Whatsup man how many inches up or down did you weld the frame brackets for the bumper ??!

[@vtx1300c74]

looks like he matched em up exactly with the old ones

[@expertgaming3234]

Love it looks like my truck since mine a 04

[@andresmorales5733]

For the headlights are the connections the same I plan on swapping my 99 to a 06 front end but what to put the led headlights on it just had that doubt about the headlight connections

[@TyBrink]

The lights all plug in to the old wiring other than one of the marker lights in the lower housing if I remember right. I had to just leave one unplugged maybe, it's been a while since I did this.

[@dylanattaway6601]

Does the 03-07 valance fit on a 2000

[@WhatIsKenDoing]

I like the taller hood with the straight line over the grille. My ‘07 has it and it looks tougher to me. My ‘05 Suburban is the nose you took off. I like them both but I’d like to put the Silverado SS “cateye” nose on the Suburban with the tall hood.

[@betterthanyou2894]

Great video cant wait to see the bed

[@drron5608]

I wonder if it would it work for a 01 2500 it would just need the 2500 front end?

[@TyBrink]

The body parts would all be the same, the only difference I believe would be the bumper. It mounts in a different place on the 2500s depending if you want to use the later bumpers that have a taller top plastic cap.

[@adrianzaragoza277]

I have a question do I need to change my radiator support? Or I have to use a 2003?

[@TyBrink]

As far as I know you don't need the 03 one. I think I showed everything I needed in the video and I didn't need it.

[@Thediecastvault]

So I have a 2000 v6 single cab Silverado will 2003 fenders fit on it ? I want to do a cateye conversion as well but before I order parts I would like to know if 2003 parts will fit it

[@TyBrink]

Yes, it would be the exact same process as you see in this video. This is a 2000 model year, same as yours.

[@Thediecastvault]

@@TyBrink thank you for replying!

[@castellano_ernesto24]

Would it be the same for a 2000 gmc?

[@isachar2013]

You should just put HD hood and grill . Looks so much better

[@Matp345]

Looks 1000% better

[@diegorivera2656]

can i use the core support out of a 2500hd ?

[@TyBrink]

I'm not sure but I would guess no.

[@frankm8533]

My 04 is about to go to the 06 front but I noticed my grill touches my bumper. I took it all apart can't figure out why. Truck has been wreaked before long ago. I may take it to a body shop see what's up. Cause when I do the 2500 upper bumper pad it won't work at all if it touches now with stock pad on it.

[@TyBrink]

Yeah you'll probably need to cut the bumper brackets off and move them down if you want to use the HD pad.

[@Aidanrileymcgowan]

Can you do this but the other way around, 05 to 02 silverado?

[@TyBrink]

Sure, it would be the same process.

[@johnweglarz2574]

Is this the same process for an Escalade front end swap?

[@TyBrink]

I don't know for sure but I'd say it's probably the same exact process.

[@LuisLopez-jm9hm]

Ty brink you should whatch truck masters video on how to replace the cab corners

[@pandawillymofo6518]

Real question is, are u going to lift it or lower it??

[@TyBrink]

Probably neither. I just want to get it looking like a clean stock truck for now.

[@pandawillymofo6518]

@@TyBrink well at least level it dude😎

[@grissom.]

Could this be done but in the opposite way? Like if I had a 03 could I put a 02 front end?

[@TyBrink]

Yes, exact same process just reversed.

[@dh-vp6uj]

My first truck was a cat eye and as far would have it I have a 99 Silverado 1500 now but I just hate the front end and really wanna do the conversion to the cateye but it seems daunting to me seeming how I'm 19 but seeing this I'm fairly certain I can do it I'll post updates on if I ever do it

[@brandon_htx1377]

Did u ever decide to do it I’m sure ur 21 now right?

[@anthonymaniz9896]

Do you need to change the radiator support

[@TyBrink]

No

[@jordan7290]

would anyone have the link or list of where to get the bumper brackets

[@mayleeds]

Need the heavy duty hood

[@knightmareking1342]

I like how simple you made it to know what parts you need exactly thanks alot! Might trade my gti for a 99 silverado ext cab stepside and i like how i have the option to make it look like a 2003-2005 people still sell those cat eye silverados like there gold i seen sell em for 15,000 lmao you can get a new truck for that much cash not a used beat silverado

[@TurboHommy]

Nice work dude

[@christianruiz.6154]

Are the light sockets the same for the head lights

[@TyBrink]

Yes they plug right into the new lights

[@rickety5211]

Do you have a total on how much this cost you and would you recommend doing this even if you have no experience?

[@TyBrink]

It cost me about 650 bucks but that's no paint work to match the truck. The cost will be totally different depending where you get the parts. The whole process is just nuts, bolts and clips other than welding the new bumper mounts on, and I think you can actually get bolt on ones too so it's really not too difficult.