I have a 1998 Honda Civic, I just like the rounder, and more sleek design of the 2000 Civic front ends. I bought my civic about a month or two ago. I am fixing to start training in collision repair so I wanted to get a car that I would actually have to work on. I have decided to return this riced out civic to its stock state and then fix it up the right way, JDM.

I have purchased the front bumper, fenders, and hood. I know I still need the grill and headlights. I was to anxious so I started to put the stuff on to see what it would look like. I put the hood on very fast and it looks great.

The problem is the front bumper cover. It does not exactly line up with the radiator support tabs? I knew that it would not be a direct fit, but I do not want to start cutting away until I know exactly what needs to be done. I am rebuilding the entire car and I want to do it right the first time. I have heard of many ways to do it.

I would like to have someone tha has already done this personally!! To show me some pics, or give me a like a tutorial on how to do it. I have heard two ways.

1. Cut and slim the 96-98 radiator supports then redrill the holes where the bumper cover clips on to.

2. Cut notches in the bumper cover itself.

Someone who has PERSONAL experience in doing this please help me out here. I would like to see some pictures as well.

 

Bump

 

You need to have the 99-00 bumper beams and supports. The radiator support is the safe from 96-00. The brackets under the headlight and front beam are different. I don't have picks of this sorry but I work for Honda and the part numbers are different and I have helped a few friends do it.

 

No, you do not need the 99-00 bumper beams and supports.

On my 98, all I had to do was notch the back of the bumper cover. It's close to the sides of the grill. Everything else fits nicely after you notch it. I don't have pictures of mine, nor do I want to take my bumper off to show you. My bumper is way too diff. to get back on with the intercooler and pipes the way it is.

 

Well I have seen it done without the waste of buying bumper beams and supports, the part numbers are different but it is the lengths, I already looked into that, But thank you

 

ive done the conversion to a few of my friends hatches and ive never used a 99-00 bumper support or rad support and everything lined up perfect

 

my friends and i have done it twice, 1 time each way.
but if you want it perfect you need the core support.

 

Well which way looks more flush? and is there any way you could take some pics, and kind of explain the process, thats rally whatI was looking for, thanks for the post.

 

The process just includes replacing the 96-98 hood,fenders,grille,bumper and headlights with 99-00 pieces. Fender stiffners are handy as well, but not necessary. With time taken, it will be as "flush" as you want it. It will line up fine so long as the car, and the parts are OEM,and unaltered.

 

the hood , fender and headlights line up, but the front bumper cover will not exactly sit flush underneath the headlight, there will be a lil gap, you'll either have to modify the tabs on the top of the front bumper cover or its hitting the support beam. mine has a lil gap under the headlight, but its close enough.

 

How did you install the front bumper cover, and is there any way you can post some pics. I need pictures please!

 

Just cut the tabs on the frame:

http://www.jdmuniverse.com/forums/ho...onversion.html

 

Yes I have saw this tutorial befoe and it is a very good tutorial and I will probably do mine like that. Thank you