Plastic bumper trim/bumper swap

[Disaster Inc]

I searched a lot for this, and didn't find the answers so:

I am starting the bumper swap this weekend, diving boards to plastics. I want to paint them, at least jamb them white before they are fitted.

Tonight,as I was playing with the plastics I have, it wasn't obvious how the bumper trim is removed from the bumpers, I don't want to damage the trim so was looking for a little insight as to the easiest way to remove it so I can paint the bumpers.

Second, I received zero hardware when I got these. The rear shocks are attached to the rear bumper, but do I need something to hold the sides to the quarter panels? Again this is not obvious to me what I will need.

Lastly the front bumper was missing the shocks, so I know I need to source those. Is there other hardware I'll need to mount the post face lift valence/plastics to my 88 Cabrio?

Thanks in advance for any help for my weekend project.

Chris

[Disaster Inc]

I need to bump this back up, cause I know some of you have the info I'm seeking.

[Disaster Inc]

Sorry, bump this again as I really want to get this done this weekend. Maybe I should have posted it in general discussion.

[Disaster Inc]

Bump to help me out

[oekundar]

As I am embarking on the same...I actually just removed the rear DB and put the plastic on...although not bolted down..from what I see, you don't need anything else for the rear. Just remember that there are actually 2 nuts and 1 bolt holding in the DB bumper...and you will have to disassemble the interior to access some of the nuts...they are 13mm. Also it would be very helpful to remove the bumper trim first...hope that helps...I'm tackling my front hopefully on sunday.

[Disaster Inc]

As I am embarking on the same...I actually just removed the rear DB and put the plastic on...although not bolted down..from what I see, you don't need anything else for the rear. Just remember that there are actually 2 nuts and 1 bolt holding in the DB bumper...and you will have to disassemble the interior to access some of the nuts...they are 13mm. Also it would be very helpful to remove the bumper trim first...hope that helps...I'm tackling my front hopefully on sunday.

Thanks,

I was thinking that maybe there were lots of dudes on here that could help on this, I found all the bolts to drop the DB's.

Still wondering the best way to pull the bumper trim, and what I need to bolt the sides of the plastics to the quarters in the rear, I'm starting to hate the Bentley manual, its so vague in so many areas

[twothrees]

There really is alot of stuff on this, I did a lot of searching when I did mine. You're a fellow vert owner so here it goes: You have removed the plastic bumper cover from the fiberglass base right? If so, all you need is a small, slotted screwdriver, patience and a fine touch and pry the trim away from the bumper cover.


Yes, you do need to fab something to attach the rear bumper sides to the quarter panel. I think I used an existing hole in the panel. This was where the metal tab was to hold the old plastic trim. I also used another existing hole right at the end to screw down the trim piece.


You may get lucky at the salvage yards and find a plastic bumpered e30. I bet some members here have some for sale, post in the WTB forum. Front valance or rear apron? The front bolts right on. Of course you need to remove all the trim. The rear apron is a different story. I am waiting on a mtech rep from filip at eurostyle designs. This is screwed/glassed on to the plastic bumper.

[Wishno87]

cant you use the sliders that work on the late model if you drill holes on your Qpanel and mount them?

[twothrees]

I didn't feel the sliders would work because the early rear quarter panel didn't have the indents for them. I didn't believe it would work, but you could try.

[Bmjpv]

Plastic bumpers

I just did this swap last week on my 88' is. You do need all (4) corner sliders to match/gowith the newer plastics. older will not work on the newer. joe

[oekundar]

Glad this thread is still around...I've got my front sliders on...I need to find the rear sliders in order to complete the bumper swap in the rear...any references? I was thinking dealer...but hopefully I can find them without resorting to the dealer.

I also mounted the 88+ valence on the front...after cutting off the factory tow hooks...I hope to have the front bumper complete tomorrow after soldering the wires for the turn signals...