shazzam00

So im putting one on my Fd.

Problem: I dont know which brackets to add on to it??? So far i have put the outer brackets, i just need info. on the inner ones that would normally be attached to the upper portion of the core support??? Should I add them or just drill out the already visible ready-to-drill holes??? or just screw the center pieces???

Any Suggestions???

shazzam00

any pics???

fritts

iTrader: (5)

I would drill out the holes. Use the metal piece as a guide along with the pre-molds hole locators. I found locators were off by quite a bit. I will be using an .125 in piece of aluminum over the top of mine to sandwich the plastic between it and the rad. support. Also the piece that runs under the headlights that ties the center section into the the side section should probably be added to keep up rigidity around the headlights.

shazzam00

so just add everything then, huh? thanks fritts.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

No, the aluminum plate I made custom to sandwich the urethane bumper against the core support. I don't think you can use any of the pieces that have the rubber attatched to them either. I drilled out the rivets on the ones that go in front of the pop up headlights so I could reuse the lower piece.

overkill

It woud be great if you could document your install with pictures. I have the bumper too and when I have time will also install it myself

shazzam00

yea that'll be great!!!

shazzam00

do i have to cut the bumper reinforcement??? to fit the corner lights???

overkill

you have to cut out the reinforcement to make way for the new 99 turn signals. If you search you will find a few pictures of how other members cut them.

shazzam00

Thats What I Thought... Thnx...

shazzam00

what about the foam behind the bumper???

Quickfini

iTrader: (6)

I just took the foam out. It doesn't even follow the contour of the 99 RE bumper. If you want, just use some expanding foam.

I'm in the progress of putting my bumper on too.

shazzam00

i put the bumper on and the holes i made which were already ready to drill dont even line up, now i gotta re-drill... but this time i'm gonna measure it with measuring tape...

overkill

pics! Document my friend!!!!

shazzam00

dude... i'm not good with the camera, plus its been like 3 months with my first fd... its trial n error right now

overkill

well best of luck, when I get around to doing my install,I'll take some pics. Let us know how it turns out, and fee freel to offer your advice on the experience.

shazzam00

dude im as lost as you are...

Quickfini

iTrader: (6)

Which part are you lost on?

rotarypower101

iTrader: (1)

I would also recommend a aluminum plate to sandwich the hood latch section to the support, works wonder for being able to force that section to the shape it needs to conform to.

No pieces will transfer over from the 93-95 style without extensive modification.

There is a lot of toying with this piece to make it fit presentably, just take your time, or take it to a professional.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

I will try and get some pictures tonight of what I did. I just got the car back from paint and will have a lot seal and light assembly going on for a while.

Just another note. I believe all the issues with the sunken area in front of the headlights is actually caused by using the 93-95 rebar on this bumper. I may remove mine completely because in order for it not to distort the bumper I will be trimming almost all of it off. No my car has not been hit either. If you press the bumper in you can feel where the rebar hits and causes a tight area that creases directly to the headlight cover area.

rotarypower101

iTrader: (1)

How does the 93-95 reinforcement distort the 99 RE plateless bumper?
What part is physically touching when cut to accept the 99 winkers?

I don’t believe this is the case, and currently have a 99 reinforcement modified (removed plate section) to fit under the RE bumper.

Depressions still remain, but the conformity of the reinforcement to the 99 bumper shape should allow a more equal platform to push from IMO

fritts

iTrader: (5)

I ended up cutting the reinforcement down to right outside the mounting tabs for it are. Even there it would pushout on the bumper at the top corners. The shape of the 99 and stock are definetly different. The stocker is much more rounded. I will try and post some pictures tonight. You can definetly feel it if you run your hand over the bumper. I also believe that the rad opening is higher on the 99 spec and that stock rebar is lower and so it also pulls the bumper down. Would make sense as the 99 specs cooling openings are larger.

shazzam00

it definitely feels tight where the bumper touches the reinforcement... should i trim the reinforcement...

rotarypower101

iTrader: (1)

Really?

I actually added small 90* pieces of Styrofoam to push the bumper skin out on my 93 cut down reinforcement. The top edge of the 93 reinforcement was close enough to the depressions on mine to push most* of it out, but still unsatisfied with the line, so recently got a 99 reinforcement, and just cut it down to fit the RE skin last weekend.

My skin did not touch the 93 reinforcement at all (when forced to the proper shape), and was cut about an inch into the 93 turn signals openings.

You are referring to the top edge of the 93 reinforcement somehow causing the depressions in front of the lights, and toward the centerline of the car correct?

I am not sure if this is true ?

I have found no appreciable difference in the height of the bottom of either reinforcement. The bottom of the opening seems to be where they made up the difference in size of the opening

fritts

iTrader: (5)

These are just my experiences. There is a reason that the in front of the headlight covers the bumper sinks in. Which tells me that its tight. Also without the reinforcement my bumper has great lines. With it shaved down it still has creases with good lines on the side and proper hood to bumper gap.

Here are some pics of my aluminum plate sandwich with paint, for the others. You will notice I added a bolt near the headlights to make sure the ends of the bumper stayed flat against the rad support.