Would appreciate any info you guys could give me, purchasing a stainless steel grill and they recommend bumper cover removal for installation.

 

Undertray needs to come off, and fender liners out.

There are bolts holding the cover to the lower edge of the fender and some more bolts and plastic christmas trees holding the bumper at the top under the edge of the bonnet.

Not too difficult to do but helps to have the nose up in the air a bit and the front wheels off.

 

a good video from Sam that will help

 

removing the under tray is the hardest part as nothing wants to break loose if you have ramps roll the car up on those then jack it up to remove the wheels and then brace it with jack stands . while apart clean the wheel speed sensors and inspect the brakes and bushings seeing as you can get to everything while its apart. when replacing the cover place loosely then check for fit and alignment before tightening things up. 3 bolts on each side between the wheel well and headlight . 7or 9 bolts across the top lip under the hood front seam and a couple of push in fasteners . unplug the foglight connectors .

 

On my car 3 on LHS were OK but 2 on RHS were seized solid (it's a kind of rivnut and bolt fitting). Access to the furthest forward bolt is tight but enough to get a small Dremel type grinder/cutter into should you be unlucky.

 

Thanks multplecats got all the bolts out ok some of the plastic clips were a bear to get out they would not release. Destroyed a few but will replace all with new. Going to take bumper cover to a few body shops to get a price to paint it before i fit the new grill.

 

Hi I am needing to take my bumper off as well what type of estimates did ya receive to repaint it.

 

just had mine redone for 450 mine had a few surfaces cracks on it. also if you decide to replace it be aware of the different fog light fitting mid 2000 the bumpers will fit from 98 on but the fog lights changed from recessed to surface mount in mid 2000 and will not interchange between the different styles.

 

Thanks J8LEV1 and WOLFPK1 Taking my bumper to day for estimates will see how price compares . My bumper has only stone chips otherwise it is perfect hopefully it may be cheaper.Picked up brand new fog lamp for $125 it was perfect match, Get this done and on to next project, fitted brand new front callipers a couple of months ago they said they were covered with protective coating to stop rust,they are now covered in surface rust will now remove and prime and paint to match car, it never ends.

 

Took my bumper to a shop that does restorations,They will strip it back prime,2pack and clear coat for $500 i think that is pretty good for what they are going to do, they gave me a tour of there shop there work looked great.