I'm going to attempt a custom front and rear bumper.

[Wingnut]

I've done a lot of research on this and here is what I have come up with. I use to be a fiberglass specialist for car stereo applications and I'm about 90% sure (after talking to wings west) that I can modify this to fit the vibes front bumper and rear bumper because the dimensions are very close. I will need to buy both parts from wings west and the front upper clip for the 04' vibe. Once I have the parts I will need to (cross fingers) cut both of them and modify them to fit. Is there anyone out there that sees something that I am missing? Please let me know.

http://www.wingswest.com/catalog/popup_ ... 03&image=0

http://www.wingswest.com/catalog/popup_ ... 06&image=0

It will take a lot but it would be better then trying to modify one from scratch.

[MrHatchWagon]

That looks pretty sweet, I wish you lots of success!

[Wingnut]

I have a buddy that has been doing fiberglass work for much longer then me that is going to help. He just got back to me about my dimensions and confirmed that they look good but he suggested something I didn't think about. Carbon fiber in lays to strengthen the seams. I will need a new front upper bumper clip, and the front wings west bumper. Were going to start the front bumper in the next week or so after I get it, (hopefully if he has time) we will get started soon. I will document the steps. Wish me luck! Front bumper is going to be first. If that is a success then the rear will come shortly after.

[vibenvy]

Looks like an interesting project. Good luck !

[MrHatchWagon]

Looks like an interesting project. Good luck !

+1

[tpollauf]

This sounds like a cool mod indeed I admire your determination and don't let ANYBODY get in your way while working on this project. I know you'll succeed. Definitely post pics of all your progress. You got my support

[Wingnut]

Thanks! I know I can do it. Just to what cost is the question and how long to make the mods. I've learned over the years that anything can be done with fiberglass if you know how to work with it. I'm just worried about my wife. Last time I put a fiberglass front bumper on a vehicle she got to close to a curb in a parking lot and busted it.

[Blanco_Diablo]

Those look much better than the body kits that are out there for the Vibe. Wish I had some fiberglass skills Good luck, will be amazing when finished!

[CAMOGIRL]

Those look much better than the body kits that are out there for the Vibe.

AGREED. I hate how the ones offered for the vibe would make my 03 front end look like the 05ups... I picked my 03 specifically FOR the body style. Do you suppose that front bumper could be modified to fit under the "nose" of the car?

[Wingnut]

Yes. I'm going to buy a new upper piece then cut the whole bumper off the new wings west bumper and fiberglass it to the upper vibe bumper piece. Basically when look at the bumper from wings west. Picture cutting below the "bumper" part then take the lower piece to the vibe.

[KITT222]

Show her the napkin diagram. She'll get it then!

How are you going to work around the reverse lights, out of curiosity?

[CAMOGIRL]

Yes. I'm going to buy a new upper piece then cut the whole bumper off the new wings west bumper and fiberglass it to the upper vibe bumper piece. Basically when look at the bumper from wings west. Picture cutting below the "bumper" part then take the lower piece to the vibe.

I get what you are doing, I was just thinking about how much of each would have to be cut off on yours, and would you have to cut part of my original nose to allow enough of the new lower part to be soundly attached.. it seems like an awful lot would have to be cut off to just fit where my black bumper is on my car...thoughts?

[Wingnut]

@Nick- LOL! Hush, hush... I told you the trick. Picture your vibes front bumper (red) with the black changed out to the lower part of this matrix bumper. It will look a little different but it should look almost made for the vibe! No cutting (I hope to the top end of your bumper). Let me see If I can produce a picture of the lower end .

[Wingnut]

@ Nick about the reverse lights. Haven't gotten that far yet. I will show pics as it goes.

[CAMOGIRL]

D'you think there would be enough there to still be sound? Probably have to do a little fabricating on mounting it without "fiberglassing" it to the upper, as you put it lol, or would you have to do that to get it to stick.. I'm really into this idea

P.S. off topic, I just realized that the new system edited my quote in my sig...

[Wingnut]

My planed cut on the wings west front end. Or something very close. I hope everyone gets the idea.

[Wingnut]

It will either not match up on the sides, the headlights or the front grill. Plus the vibe doesn't have the front bump out "bumper".

[Wingnut]

Compare a vibe front end to this front end. Look at it close and long at every angle and you will see what I'm talking about. The upslope at the headlights is different, the grill center pieces are lower with the matrix and higher with the vibe, (look at the hoods) the only way, less stress and the less mods is to cut the lower end of the west wings front bumper and meet it with the upper clip of the front of the vibe bumper.

[ligion]

Give it an Evo look, lol. Photoshoped this yesterday.

[Wingnut]

lol! That looks like something you would see in europe! Not my style!

[ligion]

I searched far and wide through google and i cant find a vibe at the same angle as that matrix in the picture you added. I wanted to photo shop them together, but the matrix is at a different angle then i can find a pic of a silver 04 vibe. Someone should take a pick of one. My vibe has a kit on it already so i cant do it.

[tpollauf]

lol! That looks like something you would see in europe! Not my style!

Totally agree It resembles the "too much grill area" on the new Ford Focus also. Not sure if it is right for our Vibes. Just my $.02

[Wingnut]

(removed)!!! This thing is way off!! Custom is an understatement! See you guys next summer with this project.... The vibe has had the front bumper pulled off over 7 times now to get measurements and this (removed) shrinking I'm dealing with is driving me nuts. Hanging with it though. I can tell you one thing.... If this works. It will be the last one I ever do.

[Wingnut]

By the way.... I've cut this bumper 8 times so far with 3 screw ups that I had to fix.

[Mariachi]

gl on the project

[beemerphile1]

Look forward to seeing the final result.