Front cladding trim, rock bumper and slidders

[Triathlete]

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...








After a little soap and water plus some accitone to get the grease pencil off...


Taped for the cutting. It will get cut along the lower edge of the tape. The corners will be rounded...




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...

[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...

[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

[Triathlete]

Tom, you mean "sic"! Sick =
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.

[taylorRichie]

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)

[Triathlete]

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

[etlsport]

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

[cyronman]

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!

[tomdietrying]

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

[Solitude]

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

[taylorRichie]

imitation is also the sincerest form of flattery

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

[Ldub]

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

Me Three!

[Triathlete]

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...

Sawzall's rock!

Un-needed plastic!


Cladding...new and improved




Tape removed and cleaned up a bit...




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

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

[Triathlete]

More progress...

Removed grill

(notice new radiator, and a/c fan)

Naked front end...cladding removed


New cladding removed and ready to go into storage


Cut cladding going back on

[Triathlete]

22+ inches of clearance to the plastic! (thats a 16 in. ruler)














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