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With regards to the bumper, I am highly doubtful there is any damage to that structure. What you pointed out in your video is actually the headlight bracket, which sits on top of the metal bumper reinforcement and connects to the middle of the radiator support, the front of the left fender, and the front of the right fender. This bracket holds the top of the bumper skin onto the car and provides a mounting spot for the headlights. This is why the lower tabs on your headlights broke.
This bracket is easy to replace, but requires the bumper skin to be removed, which you will have to do anyway for the frame work and to make it easier to install the radiator and condenser.
The good thing is, I see no main frame damage. Your frame rails look straight as an arrow, because of the high hit. The radiator support can be bent back, but it just won't look pretty unless some filler is applied before paint. Replacing it with another radiator support piece is an option, but may exceed the value of the car.
Your fenders also look completely reusable. They may have stretched very slightly, but not enough to pull them out of spec.
If a body shop just fixes the frame for you, I would go to junkyards to collect the rest of the parts, specifically self-service parts yards, like Pull-A-Part. This will be good if you can work independently with a helping hand (particularly for the hood), and will save you a lot of money. Of course, I would probably go back to the shop to paint the hood, if the replacement part is the wrong color.
With regards to the bumper, I am highly doubtful there is any damage to that structure. What you pointed out in your video is actually the headlight bracket, which sits on top of the metal bumper reinforcement and connects to the middle of the radiator support, the front of the left fender, and the front of the right fender. This bracket holds the top of the bumper skin onto the car and provides a mounting spot for the headlights. This is why the lower tabs on your headlights broke.
This bracket is easy to replace, but requires the bumper skin to be removed, which you will have to do anyway for the frame work and to make it easier to install the radiator and condenser.
The good thing is, I see no main frame damage. Your frame rails look straight as an arrow, because of the high hit. The radiator support can be bent back, but it just won't look pretty unless some filler is applied before paint. Replacing it with another radiator support piece is an option, but may exceed the value of the car.
Your fenders also look completely reusable. They may have stretched very slightly, but not enough to pull them out of spec.
If a body shop just fixes the frame for you, I would go to junkyards to collect the rest of the parts, specifically self-service parts yards, like Pull-A-Part. This will be good if you can work independently with a helping hand (particularly for the hood), and will save you a lot of money. Of course, I would probably go back to the shop to paint the hood, if the replacement part is the wrong color.
Thank you for such a detailed response. I was able to get the parts off my other totaled LS400(see pic). So I didn’t have to buy a radiator, condenser, all hoses and mounting bracket, so I saved there. All I need is for the front frame to be bent so the hood latch will close properly and the condenser will fit.and at least look decent. I was considering taking off the bumper cover and doing that but honestly I think i can live with it..... it’s barely shifted.
(the totaled 330K 99)
Thank you for such a detailed response. I was able to get the parts off my other totaled LS400(see pic). So I didn’t have to buy a radiator, condenser, all hoses and mounting bracket, so I saved there. All I need is for the front frame to be bent so the hood latch will close properly and the condenser will fit.and at least look decent. I was considering taking off the bumper cover and doing that but honestly I think i can live with it..... it’s barely shifted.
(the totaled 330K 99)
Okay I’m a little confused, so now that the radiator is drained I put the new one in, connected everything, put in the condenser as well..... my coolant reservoir still had coolant after I drained the old damaged radiator (the drain petcock was stuck so I just unclamped the two hoses and let it drain like that)... is that normal for this car or should it drain completely ??? (I did not drain the two bolts from the physical engine ) I just don’t want to turn it on for the first time and start adding coolant and it be clogged somewhere and start overheating. Sorry if this wasn’t explained that well...
Thank you for such a detailed response. I was able to get the parts off my other totaled LS400(see pic). So I didn’t have to buy a radiator, condenser, all hoses and mounting bracket, so I saved there. All I need is for the front frame to be bent so the hood latch will close properly and the condenser will fit.and at least look decent. I was considering taking off the bumper cover and doing that but honestly I think i can live with it..... it’s barely shifted.
(the totaled 330K 99)
Good find! The hood on the parts car can be repaired. Not ideal, but it's much better than the alternative.
I would highly recommend removing the front bumper cover and replacing the headlight bracket. This will allow all of your lights to align properly and ensure that your radiator support was pulled forward to the correct position. The part is on the parts car anyway, so you can practice removing the cover there first.
If you wanted to go extreme, you could even cut off the radiator support from the parts car...
Thanks, yeah I’ve used that website before, good information just wish it was for 2nd gen LS.
i thought about using the hood from the parts car but that one is damaged also from a deer. I found one in Dallas for 75 and it’s whits so just gonna pick that one up. I was thinking about removing the bracket but it seems out of my skill set
Celsior, I decided to do what you said and replace the headlight bracket, I would take the one off my parts car but it’s damaged near the grille. I tried to search for the part on oemlexus.com but I couldn’t find anything..... a part number would be appreciated...also does the bumper need to be removed for this to be taken off?
This says it’s specific to the LS, I’m thinking I’m just going to replace “number 2” so I’m assuming the bumper doesn’t have to come on in this case. Will give it a shot in the morning
Celsior, I decided to do what you said and replace the headlight bracket, I would take the one off my parts car but it’s damaged near the grille. I tried to search for the part on oemlexus.com but I couldn’t find anything..... a part number would be appreciated...also does the bumper need to be removed for this to be taken off?
Originally Posted by kambam3627
This says it’s specific to the LS, I’m thinking I’m just going to replace “number 2” so I’m assuming the bumper doesn’t have to come on in this case. Will give it a shot in the morning
Number 2 in that diagram is the upper radiator support. I believe that would require removal of the bumper skin, headlight bracket, and both fenders to cut and weld in a new piece.
Attached is a blown up diagram of the front end of a 98-00 LS 400. The part you are interested in is labeled "Upper Reinforcement."
Thank you for such a detailed response. I was able to get the parts off my other totaled LS400(see pic). So I didn’t have to buy a radiator, condenser, all hoses and mounting bracket, so I saved there. All I need is for the front frame to be bent so the hood latch will close properly and the condenser will fit.and at least look decent. I was considering taking off the bumper cover and doing that but honestly I think i can live with it..... it’s barely shifted.
(the totaled 330K 99)
The hood of your 99 is also lunched. Are you gonna bondo it?
