Screwed Up Bumper *Pics*

So a few years ago I ran into my GF on the 4th of July. Correction, I ran into her car. The end result was her car +1, my car 0. I bent my front bumper on the left side, as you can see in the pics. I have a 98 LS 4dr. On these pics, you can notice that right below the bumper lights, there are holes, where a black strip used to go. Also you can tell I have the LS valance. What bumpers/valances will fit on my truck? Also, someone mention it looked like I bent my frame, which if true, is garbage, because I hit her going no more than 5mph. I would imagine a bumper bracket would bend before the frame of my truck. I want the bumper to sit flush with the bumper lights, what will I need to buy to do this? Thanks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/SComp23/Car1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/SComp23/Car3.jpg

Actually, any 98-2005 bumper will bolt right on. You need to get the LS version with the impact strip mounting holes if you want to use your current valance and impact strip. I'm not sure what the trim piece that used to be on top of the bumper is called...

With that little amount of damage, I think it's safe to say that the bumper bracket is intact. The bumper is designed in a way that allows it to shift without bending the brackets in case of just such an impact. A new bumper should bolt right on and look perfect.

A guy pulled out of a parking space the wrong way and hit me years ago on the left front of my '98. It did a good bit more damage to my bumper than what you have, and that was the only damage it did. I was able to get a new bumper and use the old valance, impact strip, and trim piece - it took maybe 45 minutes to do the whole job and the truck was picture perfect afterwards.

Awesome, thanks a lot man

Glad to help.

You do need to do something about that Gators tag though... I got a spare Ole Miss one you can borrow...

haha, Ole Miss your alma mater I take it? I go to UF ;)

I honestly dont think the frame would bend with that little (well more than a little) impact. My best guess would be it's just that bumper. I do like the front end though , projectors - billet grille...sweet!

Thanks, home-made projectors!

Thanks, home-made projectors!

In that case man that's double sweet, excellent job.!!:bigthumb:

Thanks, home-made projectors!

OK< We now need details. Please describe how you built the headlights...

That piece on top is called the fill strip about $25 and the bumper ends/sides are bolted on via metal impact brackets that bend on impact about $20 each. As you probably already know, there are like 10 push in clips that hold the grill in place, so with the hood open, start pulling the grill out and you will see them all. With that out you can get to the other bumper bolts on top that mount to the frame. With the bumper off you can easily straighten any slight bend. See you have the white lower plastic too which is held on by the black impact strip about $30. which holds that on to the metal and if carefully taken off (after the bumper is off) maybe reused but the molded plastic clips on the end and middle may already be broken. Easy work.

OK< We now need details. Please describe how you built the headlights...

I agree!!

muddog- Thank you very much for your detailed description on how to fix it as well as the proper names for the pieces.

As for the headlights. That was my first retrofit, I now have built another one just this summer. I started off with a pair of regular TYC Euro Reflector headlights, which I now think you can get for under 100 shipped on ebay. The projectors that are in the headlamp are from a 2002 European Audi S4. The ones I have now are E-Code BMW 3-Series E46 projectors. Actually doing the retrofit is very easy. Take the headlight apart by sticking it in the oven at 275 degrees for about 7 minutes. You then need to modify the housing with a dremel to accomidate the size of the projector. Visually see if the projector is straight, then attach the projector to the housing by 4 screws through the mounting holes on the projector. Put it on your truck, make sure the cut-off is straight, put the lens back on, and there you have it, OEM style HID lighting on your truck!