'88 bumper conversion?

[dariel1013]

Ok, so in short, I have an '88 vert. (Im fairly new here) and I FINALLY finished most of the mechanical work I needed. Now its time for looks.

I wanna start with the bumper... How do I go about changing it?

I currently have the Metal Bar(Picture uploaded I hope)

ANd I wanted to go more toward something along the lines of these





And IF they are possible, where would be the best place to get them??

Thanks to everybody in advance.

[flyboyx]

you can change them. there are tons of threads about this already. check them out with the search function. i suggest looking for "bumper swap". if you have any q's after that, get back to us.

[fiveightandten]

-The first pic you posted is a car with Euro bumpers. See info below.

-The 2nd pic is a car with tucked diving board (your current bumper, just pushed in) and a late model valance (the lower part).
The late model valance will bolt right on, but you have to cut off your tow hook. Obviously, you'd have to find on in the same color, or have it painted.
See this for warnings on tucking your diving boards: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=199066


For Euro bumpers:
-You can get them on ebay, the FS ads here, criagslist, etc.
-Make sure you get a set that's not bent
-You are best off running the Euro valance (the car in that pic has this). Your early US valance works, but you'll be able to see the square cut outs in it.
-The Euro front bumper bolts right on, but the turn signal wiring needs to be modified (connectors are different).
-The Euro rear bumper bolts right on, but you have to punch out 2 holes they epoxied over at the factory, and you'll have to plug up the holes for the US bumper trim. You also have to cut off the side trim brackets, as they will be visible without the US bumpers. The holes for the US bumper shocks are also visible and should be covered over with painted covers if you want things to look nice.

There's info all over the place. But if you have specific questions, I can help out with that.

[Schnitzer318is]

Here's what it looks like when you tuck and paint the chrome and black trim to match with a late model fascia. Short of late model plastic bumpers and euro trim... this is the only way to fly a tucked bumper. IMHO of course.

[AndrewBird]

Will euro bumpers even fit on an 88? They are basically a late model chassis with early model bumpers, so I'm sure if euros will work.

[Mr. Tasty]

Will euro bumpers even fit on an 88? They are basically a late model chassis with early model bumpers, so I'm sure if euros will work.

nope.

[Old city bimmer]

Yes they will fit.

[dariel1013]

-The first pic you posted is a car with Euro bumpers. See info below.

-The 2nd pic is a car with tucked diving board (your current bumper, just pushed in) and a late model valance (the lower part).
The late model valance will bolt right on, but you have to cut off your tow hook. Obviously, you'd have to find on in the same color, or have it painted.
See this for warnings on tucking your diving boards: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=199066


For Euro bumpers:
-You can get them on ebay, the FS ads here, criagslist, etc.
-Make sure you get a set that's not bent
-You are best off running the Euro valance (the car in that pic has this). Your early US valance works, but you'll be able to see the square cut outs in it.
-The Euro front bumper bolts right on, but the turn signal wiring needs to be modified (connectors are different).
-The Euro rear bumper bolts right on, but you have to punch out 2 holes they epoxied over at the factory, and you'll have to plug up the holes for the US bumper trim. You also have to cut off the side trim brackets, as they will be visible without the US bumpers. The holes for the US bumper shocks are also visible and should be covered over with painted covers if you want things to look nice.

There's info all over the place. But if you have specific questions, I can help out with that.

My biggest thing is that I don't really car about the metal bar, I care more about under that. Like the fog light area. You see how my fog lights are basically just bolted on, and those are molded in? Is that like an early vs. late model thing or a different bumper option? And can THAT be done without many issues?


Sent from my iPhone

[dariel1013]

Thanks to everybody for your input!!!


Sent from my iPhone

[TimeMachinE30]

"Bumper swap" search. Easiest on the verts.

Find what you like and go for it. You post two different routes like mentioned above.

[fiveightandten]

My biggest thing is that I don't really car about the metal bar, I care more about under that. Like the fog light area. You see how my fog lights are basically just bolted on, and those are molded in? Is that like an early vs. late model thing or a different bumper option? And can THAT be done without many issues?


Sent from my iPhone

You're talking about the valance. That's the part under the bumper. There are early model front plastic "spoilers" (some may call them valances) you can buy that go right over your stock metal valance.

The easiest and most readily available would be the early model is/es spoiler, also known as the "cow plow", or "cow catcher". This would bolt right onto your car...



You can make a late model valance work, and there are a lot of other options that you may see floating around (Zender, ACS, Mtech 1, etc.).

[JasonC]

Will euro bumpers even fit on an 88? They are basically a late model chassis with early model bumpers, so I'm sure if euros will work.

nope.

He has a vert, so yes they will fit. He just needs to get the endcaps on the rear bumper for a convertible.

[dariel1013]

He has a vert, so yes they will fit. He just needs to get the endcaps on the rear bumper for a convertible.

End caps? What exactly are those? Lol o_O


Sent from my iPhone

[Holland]

End caps? What exactly are those? Lol o_O


Sent from my iPhone

Exactly that. Black trip caps on the end of the bumper.

[hopeful]

Hello, sorry to bring an old post up but it seems '88's haven't been covered as well as most believe.

Specifically, what parts are needed exactly to do a plastic bumpers conversion onto an 88 sedan that already has a newer valence?
Can these parts be sourced from a vert that is 89+?

Thanks.