Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Since I still cannot find a replacement bumper cover which meets my style or pricing needs, I decided to continue to modify my factory one.

Remember this? https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ht-set-up.html

My basic plan is to cover the 2 lower vent cutouts and the license plate notch to give it a further streamlined appearance. Once that's done I will either re-spray the entire cover or vinyl wrap it. This will depend on the final result of my body work since vinyl can hide those little mistakes that paint always reveals.

The before...

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Luckily this time the only cutting I had to do was the little plastic vertical "divider pieces" on the vent row I was intending to keep. Then...magic construction foam, it's time to go to work again.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Next, got out my old sushi knife and trimmed off the excess. Was left with a nice porous surface for soaking up all that body filler which comes next.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Layer one...

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Are these live updates lol? Could you post a pic of how the wind dam is connected right under the bumper reinforcement?

Hiroshi12

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Then on Sunday evening comes the harsh reality of realizing (again) that when your project car is also your daily driver, you sometimes drive to work with no bumper. Should be back on this weekend.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Well, the connection points are unchanged - that's the reason I'm not changing the top row cause that's where the plastic tabs are which connect it to the car's frame. Is that what you meant?

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

No, it really has nothing to do with the bumper. I'm trying to figure out how to connect a piece that goes under the reinforcement. look at the piece that's underneath it in the pic.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

You talking about the skid cover? Can you circle it in your photo?

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Here you go.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Got it. Yeah, that's the skid cover or I think Lexus calls it "bottom" or "lower" engine cover? Anyway, on the factory bumper cover (the piece I am mod'ing) there are about ten clips along the bottom edge that this plastic cover would screw into. I am assuming any after market bumpers would have a similar setup.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

it's actually called the lower wind dam. the engine undercover goes on once the bumper cover is installed. Anyway, i can't wait to see how your bumper turns out.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

you closed off the bumper even more so the radiator is blocked off along with it. this is where style hurts haha , i'm not knocking you just make sure you keep in mind what the car needs to function. of course i know the grill is still open for the radiator but only time will tell if this is detrimental to the cooling system. just drive a least 80mph to get air through there.

props on the initiative!

Toyofhate

Cool more up dates, love that custom **** man.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

I forgot this shot of the back side. Same as last time, I made a mesh screen screwed into the rear surface of the cover.