Grand prix lights on a Cutlass?

[darklotus42]

Has anyone ever tried to swap miniquad headlights from a GP to a CS? I got in a bit of a fender bender and now all my lights are smashed to bits. I can't seem to find a CS header panel to save my life but the yard here has a couple GPs but idk if I could Frankenstein something together. Lmk any thoughts. 

[jiggity76]

The header panel from a Grand Prix coupe is very different compared to a CS coupe.  The headlamps will be the same though.

[tornado_735]

Try finding a salvage yard Cutlass on http://www.car-part.com if you haven't already. 

Edited January 17 by tornado_735

[ManicMechanic]

18 minutes ago, tornado_735 said:

Try finding a salvage yard Cutlass on http://www.car-part.com if you haven't already. 

That's where I found the one in Hearne in his other thread. I work for car-part.

Edited January 17 by ManicMechanic

[tornado_735]

26 minutes ago, ManicMechanic said:

That's where I found the one in Hearne in his other thread. I work for car-part.

No shit!! It's my go-to. I love car-part. 

[ManicMechanic]

36 minutes ago, tornado_735 said:

No shit!! It's my go-to. I love car-part. 

They suck to work for, but I make my own hours and get to see rare stuff that comes in locally.

[55trucker]

On 1/15/2025 at 10:50 PM, jiggity76 said:

The header panel from a Grand Prix coupe is very different compared to a CS coupe.  The headlamps will be the same though.

Ok, clue me in, how is the stamping for the rad header different for a 1st gen GP vs the Cutlass?  

[94 olds vert]

1992 Grand prix GTP header panel for the headlights. #15

 

1992 Cutlass Supreme SL head panels for the headlights.  #13

 

At one point in time I had both of these and they are different. I'm pretty sure they could be interchanged it might take a bit of work due to mounting points being different on the rad support. I have no idea about the bumpers or how the lights would align. The rad support is nearly the same. 

1992 GP rad support

 

1992 Cutlass Supreme rad support

 

 

Note the different part numbers. The work needed to do this would probably require drilling, welding, and painting.  

 

 

Edited January 17 by 94 olds vert
hopefully that's easier to understand

[55trucker]

Ok, the fog is clearing, when the OP used the term *header panel* the rad header IS the header panel. The headlamp mounting panel is all bolt-on plastic.

[jiggity76]

7 hours ago, 55trucker said:

Ok, the fog is clearing, when the OP used the term *header panel* the rad header IS the header panel. The headlamp mounting panel is all bolt-on plastic.

Thank you for 94 vert showing the differences.  With me owning an STE and a Cutlass Supreme coupe, I know there are differences between those for the obvious reasons.  When I had my 93 GTP parts car, I just remember that the header panel was a lot different compared to my 91 Cutlass coupe.  Just guessing here but I'm assuming the rad supports are all the same between W body's...it's the header panels that are unique between let's say a Regal or Prix, etc.

55...maybe I have the terminology mixed up?  For me, the header panel is the plastic or whatever material it is that mounts the grills, headlamps, turn signals, etc TO the radiator support.

Edited January 18 by jiggity76

[94 olds vert]

2 minutes ago, jiggity76 said:

Thank you for 94 vert showing the differences.  With me owning an STE and a Cutlass Supreme coupe, I know there are differences between those for the obvious reasons.  When I had my 93 GTP parts car, I just remember that the header panel was a lot different compared to my 91 Cutlass coupe.  Just guessing here but I'm assuming the rad supports are all the same between W body's...it's the header panels that are unique between let's say a Regal or Prix, etc.

Not sure why the different part numbers for the rad support. The only thing I can think of is different mounting locations. That could easily be taken care of. The rad support will interchange. 

[darklotus42]

How would you replace a rad support? Looks like it's spot welded 

[jiggity76]

21 minutes ago, darklotus42 said:

How would you replace a rad support? Looks like it's spot welded 

I was wondering the same thing.  I suppose you'd have to drill out the welds and separate where needed.

[darklotus42]

That doesn't sound like fun. I think I'll try to bend it back in place

[94 olds vert]

11 minutes ago, jiggity76 said:

I was wondering the same thing.  I suppose you'd have to drill out the welds and separate where needed.

Yeah that's exactly what you need to do. Then weld in a new one. 

Edited January 18 by 94 olds vert

[55trucker]

30 minutes ago, darklotus42 said:

That doesn't sound like fun. I think I'll try to bend it back in place

Approach a body shop, speak with the manager & ask him what he'd charge you to get the car on an alignment rack & pull the entire header back into correct shape.

What the hell did you hit to do this?

[darklotus42]

I rear ended a lil SUV......poor cutty....she still runs and drives just fine tho

[94 olds vert]

2 minutes ago, darklotus42 said:

I rear ended a lil SUV......poor cutty....she still runs and drives just fine tho

That damage isn't that bad. Looks like you took the hit up high. That rad support can be straightened out. That should fix any issue with the alignment with the dog bones. 

As for the panel that holds the lights, keep looking you should be able to source one eventually. I have no idea how a GP mini quad set up will line up with the bumper. I'm sure it could work but seems like a lot of hassle. 

[55trucker]

14 hours ago, darklotus42 said:

I rear ended a lil SUV......poor cutty....she still runs and drives just fine tho

Appears as tho you're in need of an a/c condenser & a rad as well?

[darklotus42]

Yeah The condenser is toast. Thankfully the radiator is okay just slightly bent....good thing too cuz I literally just replaced it a week before this happened