2G Bumper Swaps

[AWD Terror]

The following is by DSMtalk.com Community Member talontsiawd (http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=1753)

<B>2G Bumper Swaps</B>

<img src="http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/bumper-icon.jpg" align="left" border="0"> Many consider the factory 2G bumper to be a thing of beauty. And swapping your Talon bumper for an Eclipse one or swapping the early 2G bumper for the later one can be a great alternative to buying a bodykit. This article explains what you need to do any type of swap for your 2G Talon or Eclipse.
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With so many questions comming up in here about bumper swaps, I felt like it was time for someone to put all the info in one place. First I will go over what bumpers will swap over to which cars:
Any 2g bumper will swap to any 2g car

1. 95-96 Talons and Eclipses will need 97-99 Eclipse headlights to convert to a 97-99 Eclipse front
2. 95-96 Talons can swap directly to a 97-98 Talon bumper with no need for new headlights.
3. 97-98 Talons will need 97-99 Eclipse headlights to swap to a 97-99 Eclipse front.
4. 97-99 Eclipse will need 95-96 style lights to swap to any other 2g bumper

Foglights will be specific to the year bumper you are using and are easily changed with the brackets that came of the same model and year.

The process of change the bumper is very easy and anyone who can use basic hand tools can do it. This will show the locations of all the fasteners you will have to remove.

Tools:
10mm socket, Philips head screwdriver

Step 1:
Remove foglight (2 Screws on each side)
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/step1.jpg

Step 2:
Remove fender trim behind bumper (2 10mm bolts, 5 trim screws per side)
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/step2.jpg

Step 3:
Remove side marker light. Use flat head screwdrive with a rag around it or push it through from behind
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/step3.jpg

Step 4
Remove 2 bolts from each side of the bumper. One at the out edge of the bumper and one directly above the sidemarker (4 10mm bolts total)
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/step4.jpg

Step 5
Remove 5 10mm bolts under the hood from the middle of the bumper
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/step5.jpg

Step 6
Remove trim screws from the top of bumper opening
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/images/articles/bumpswap/step6.jpg

Step 7
Remove two bolts from under headlights. Headlights must be removed. Or just pull off bumpers and not have the ability to use these mounting points in the future. These mounting points are not critical so i leave them unattached (hence no pic). If you plan to take your bumper off on any regular basis my advice is to not use these mounting points.

Conclusion:
Swapping bumpers is very simple and you can have your old bumper off and a new one on in under 1/2 hour if you're quick. Expect it to take no more that 2 hours if you have never done it before and you aren't in a hurry. You can drastically change the style of your car relatively cheaply without buying a ridiculous bodykit. You can find new bumpers at thepartstrader.com or dsmtrader.com as well as many junkyards and salvage places around the country. Buying a refinished bumper is also an option that is not terribly expensive. Don't go for new oem as it will not be worth the money. Anyways, swapping bumpers can be done easily and cheaply if you can find good bumpers and a good paintshop. Just know what you are getting into if you buy a bumper that needs major prepwork because it will require your labor or someone in the business to help you ($$$).


Questions or comments? Please discuss this article here (http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94847).