Front cladding trim, rock bumper and slidders

So its time to start the front end transformation!
Today I started by using a blow dryer to heat up my old (crash damaged) front cladding and push the deformities out.
This is how it looked after...
http://shutter13.pictures.aol.com/da...x4bKur0300.jpg

http://shutter13.pictures.aol.com/da...mGGfxN0300.jpg

http://shutter11.pictures.aol.com/da...KuTc6s0300.jpg

http://shutter12.pictures.aol.com/da...M8jLrT0300.jpg

After a little soap and water plus some accitone to get the grease pencil off...
http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/da...1l-YzY0300.jpg

Taped for the cutting. It will get cut along the lower edge of the tape. The corners will be rounded...
http://shutter11.pictures.aol.com/da...JZLaZU0300.jpg

http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/da...ueUIfg0300.jpg

More to come as progress is made. Stric9 will be doing the fab work. The front bumper will be getting its ques from this one that I like...
http://shutter13.pictures.aol.com/da...DquYvb0300.jpg:cool:

I'll be anxiously awaiting this build.

I'd love to do something similar. An Aggressive pre runner winch mount bumper would be very cool on a VX.

I was having one fabbed up for my S10 back in the day...

Billy,
I really like this idea of yours!!!! Just like Taylor, I'm anxiously waiting to see how this turns out. I think it's going to be, what do the young ones says now days, oh yeah.....IT'S GOING TO BE SICK!!!!:bgwg:
Peace.
Tom
012009

Tom, you mean "sic"!:cool: Sick = ;puke2;
I will ask Stric9 to make a guide of the bumpers (just as they did the sliders) for future productions of them if there is posible interest in them.
I need to figure out what will be best to cut the clading with...cut off wheel or sawzall.

Dremel Dremel Dremel...

With Cut off wheels, or the larger "metal grinding" wheel... It cuts the cladding like butta.

And it leaves a nice clean edge. I've been using it the past few days to do my trimming for wheel fitment. As well as for my tone hitch install.

Very small easy to control etc... Highly recommend it. (wear gloves)

Thanks, I will have to see if I can pick up a cheap one around here.

agreed! when i did tones hitch i used an angle grinder to cut the bulk of the material to about 1/4 to 1/8 inch of where my lines were.. then used the dremmel sanding drum to take it down smoothly to where i needed it... thats how i did my roof rail covers and my flush mounted scangauge too.. good stuff.. i think i paid like 70 bucks for my dremmel almost 5 years ago and maybe 50 on accessories for it over the years ive owned it

Billy,

I bought a "dremel" (not sure the actual brand name) at Costco last year for under $20 to cut my cladding.

It worked fine. I'm pretty sure it's not as nice as an actual Dremel, but take a look at it just for comparison purposes. Just a heads up.

Good Luck!

Triathlete,
O.K. I think I have the lingo down.......Now, I just have to get the spelling down. lol :)
Peace.
Tom
012009

Hey Billy, When ya get this project done and you want to sell your front cladding.. Let Me know.. I have a little part chewed up on mine and think I might want to go the that route also..

They say duplication is the ultimate form of envy

Jeff

imitation is also the sincerest form of flattery ;)

I'm sure he'll have a few followers... :D it's already been 3 days... I wonder what the hold up is ;) just playin'

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by taylorRichie

I'll be anxiously awaiting this build.

I'd love to do something similar. An Aggressive pre runner winch mount bumper would be very cool on a VX.

I was having one fabbed up for my S10 back in the day...

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomdietrying

Billy,
I really like this idea of yours!!!! Just like Taylor, I'm anxiously waiting to see how this turns out. I think it's going to be, what do the young ones says now days, oh yeah.....IT'S GOING TO BE SICK!!!!:bgwg:
Peace.
Tom
012009

---

Me Three!:naughty:

Got a bit done today. Bought a rotary tool and attempted to cut the cladding with it...would have took me a week (probably because the tool was of the cheap variety). So I broke out the big gun...
http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/da...3jdIyk0300.jpg
Sawzall's rock!

Un-needed plastic!
http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/da...BuxGv70300.jpg

Cladding...new and improved
http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/da...MsfjMa0300.jpg

http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/da...mFQJUL0300.jpg

Tape removed and cleaned up a bit...
http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/da...zUt5XF0300.jpg

http://shutter13.pictures.aol.com/da...bmANYp0300.jpg

Instant 4 inches of front end clearance and improved approach angle!!!!!:cool:

If I have time tomorrow I will be installing it and placing that new cladding piece in storage!

More progress...

Removed grill
http://shutter04.pictures.aol.com/da...6zbyOG0300.jpg
(notice new radiator, and a/c fan:))

Naked front end...cladding removed
http://shutter03.pictures.aol.com/da...t7blKI0300.jpg

New cladding removed and ready to go into storage
http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/da...jWn7AX0300.jpg

Cut cladding going back on
http://shutter14.pictures.aol.com/da...O3ij5L0300.jpg

http://shutter03.pictures.aol.com/da...0XEitm0300.jpg

22+ inches of clearance to the plastic! (thats a 16 in. ruler)
http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/da...lT7N4X0300.jpg

http://shutter14.pictures.aol.com/da...k1zgIe0300.jpg

http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/da...Xf1n+70300.jpg

http://shutter10.pictures.aol.com/da...DXaTUl0300.jpg

http://shutter03.pictures.aol.com/da...QrMdKh0300.jpg

http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/da...l+SZWq0300.jpg

http://shutter08.pictures.aol.com/da...MCDdlw0300.jpg

Next up...I will be getting with Stric9 to get the sliders and bumpers fab'd!:dance: