Fitting an aftermarket front bumper....the HARD way!
09-13-07, 10:41 PM
#16
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Here are a few pictures of the sanding, blocking, and priming. I used PPG K36 high-build primer surfacer and foam blocks with various grits of paper. Lots of hours here.
Last edited by cacrawfo; 01-02-08 at 10:23 AM.
09-13-07, 10:45 PM
#17
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I did not take many pictures of the body filler, painting, sanding, blocking, parts of the proccess, as it was really messy and I did not want to pick up the camera!
Here are some shots of the install, after it was painted, cleared, and cured. I made 3 black powdercoated aluminum trim plates to hide the ugly bumper mounts, and the windshield washer tank. I also had to make a new drivers side intercooler pipe to clear the new bumper better. I got some JDM fog lights, and they fit great!
I made a nice aluminum reinforcement plate for the bottom of the car, and made support struts fpr the corners.
Here are some shots of the install, after it was painted, cleared, and cured. I made 3 black powdercoated aluminum trim plates to hide the ugly bumper mounts, and the windshield washer tank. I also had to make a new drivers side intercooler pipe to clear the new bumper better. I got some JDM fog lights, and they fit great!
I made a nice aluminum reinforcement plate for the bottom of the car, and made support struts fpr the corners.
09-13-07, 10:50 PM
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Here is the final product. I plan to install the rest of the kit with less issues, and then paint the entire car this winter. I also installed clean clear JDM headlights, and did HID using all Toyota components. I still have to install my JDM bumper pole in the front right corner, and do HID in the fog lights.
09-13-07, 10:53 PM
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Lessons learned:
all aftermarket body kits will need extensive work to fit. You get what you pay for!
Fiberglass itches.
Lexus' are cool.
You can find my entire picture dump at my site, www.speed-source.net under the project cars tab at the bottom.
Cheers!
Carl Crawford
all aftermarket body kits will need extensive work to fit. You get what you pay for!
Fiberglass itches.
Lexus' are cool.
You can find my entire picture dump at my site, www.speed-source.net under the project cars tab at the bottom.
Cheers!
Carl Crawford
09-13-07, 11:02 PM
#21
Very impressive Carl.. you have definitely got some skills.
The kit is a Kazz Sports.. I was watching it and trying to scrape up the dough when you bought it.. LOL I'm sure I wouldnt have done it the justice that you have though. Great work.. cant wait to see the rest.
The kit is a Kazz Sports.. I was watching it and trying to scrape up the dough when you bought it.. LOL I'm sure I wouldnt have done it the justice that you have though. Great work.. cant wait to see the rest.
09-14-07, 12:03 PM
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Vipguy,
LOL, no, it had nothing to do with a different support.... the JDM piece is the same, I had a clip to compare mine with. The problem was that the bumper did not fit at all. It would have been easier to just buy a brand new bumper from KAAZ, or other aftermarket company. I would have had to work through many of the same issues even with a new bumper. The only aftermarket piece of fiberglass that I have ever thought was high quality was a $2000 Top Secret bumper for a G35 we installed.
Carl C
LOL, no, it had nothing to do with a different support.... the JDM piece is the same, I had a clip to compare mine with. The problem was that the bumper did not fit at all. It would have been easier to just buy a brand new bumper from KAAZ, or other aftermarket company. I would have had to work through many of the same issues even with a new bumper. The only aftermarket piece of fiberglass that I have ever thought was high quality was a $2000 Top Secret bumper for a G35 we installed.
Carl C