Plastic Bumpers + Small Tail Lights = Possible?

[nebulous123]

I have been looking around junkyards, online sales, and even member rides. Is it possible to have a plastic bumper and small tail lights from the factory? I am going to cut out a better section of tail light area and driver side rear quater panel (old PO damage). Looking to also include a PB conversion.

I currently have a '87 325 with DB and would like to have PB if possible with smaller tail lights.

If they are out there, how rare if anyone knows...

Thanks

[slammin.e28]

So....you want plastics with early tails?

Just swap the plastics on...

[AbsorbantNut]

I have been looking around junkyards, online sales, and even member rides. Is it possible to have a plastic bumper and small tail lights from the factory? I am going to cut out a better section of tail light area and driver side rear quater panel (old PO damage). Looking to also include a PB conversion.

I currently have a '87 325 with DB and would like to have PB if possible with smaller tail lights.

If they are out there, how rare if anyone knows...

Thanks

Youll have to shorten the rear bumper on the sides to get it to fit. And slot the rear bumper shock mounting holes. The front is a bolt on after you cut off the towhook. Its been done before, so just search around like "e30 plastic bumper conversion" or something similar. There are quite a few DIYs out there

[JasonC]

Here you go, read up. http://www.r3vlimited.com/tech/bumper/bumper2.htm

[nebulous123]

So....you want plastics with early tails?

Just swap the plastics on...

Well i should use a pic to show you what i was thinking overall. where i was cutting and all. Essentially i have small tail lights. and i am cutting out the left rear from the trunk seam all the way to the high part of the wheel arch then straight down. thats the bad section. now before i was going to cut across the tail light where there was no damage, but found some more, see pics. now i want to just cut out that whole area and the valance and put in the plastic bumpers.

[nebulous123]

Youll have to shorten the rear bumper on the sides to get it to fit. And slot the rear bumper shock mounting holes. The front is a bolt on after you cut off the towhook. Its been done before, so just search around like "e30 plastic bumper conversion" or something similar. There are quite a few DIYs out there

I am aware of the bumper mods, read through the tutorial a couple of times.

Here you go, read up. http://www.r3vlimited.com/tech/bumper/bumper2.htm

Saw that thanks. I think my situation is a little different. Meaning i am going to have to cut 2 cars up to get the desired result, unless they made plastic bumper small tail light cars, then i could just find one and cut the rear out. Does that make sense?

Thanks!!

[ill4noreason]

you will have to cut up two cars... they never offered them. Or you can cut one early model and then you'd have the small lights do a plastic swap (pretty easy) 4-5 hours max...And then buy a rear apron. Or just chop it up. Either way get to chopping post pics of progress.

[nebulous123]

you will have to cut up two cars... they never offered them. Or you can cut one early model and then you'd have the small lights do a plastic swap (pretty easy) 4-5 hours max...And then buy a rear apron. Or just chop it up. Either way get to chopping post pics of progress.

thanks a million. my question has been answered, its not was i really wanted to hear....but its better than not knowing.

I will definitely keep this updated once I find a car to cut up.

Thanks!!

[Jand3rson]

Early model w/ early tails + late rear valance + plastic bumpers = WIN.

[nebulous123]

Early model w/ early tails + late rear valance + plastic bumpers = WIN.

I love your car BTW. All the other threads I read and see it in the sig I always stop at it. Almost exactly where I want this project to end. Just clean all around with a mean engine.

You just do the conversion or other mods (seam below the tail lights is missing)? Any particular suggestions other than the walk-throughs?

Thanks.

[alB5]

Early model w/ early tails + late rear valance + plastic bumpers = WIN.

mmmmm they should've came like this from factory.

[///digitalme]

youre getting the panel from another early model right?

[nebulous123]

well that was the main question for the thread....do I have to get an early model panel and late model valance separate? or did they make a late model with small tail lights so I could just find that car and take the whole thing in 1 piece? And as some have pointed out, I have to get early model panel and then cut the rest out of a late model to do the conversion.

Thanks.

[///digitalme]

early model and late model wheel arches are different...
tyou would either have to get the whole rear panel with the arch (both sides) and the whole tail light set up from the late model...or early model (the side you need )but you would have to get the late model valance separetely

[ill4noreason]

early arches ftw