Finding a clear 1999 mitsubishi 3000gt front bumper isn't exactly a walk in the particular park these days, specifically if you're wanting to track down an original OEM piece that hasn't already been through the ringer. If you possess a 3000GT, you already know how the 1999 model year is the "holy grail" of the platform. It was the particular final year of production in the particular States, and Mitsubishi went categorical along with a facelift that made the car look way more aggressive and contemporary compared to the particular earlier versions.
The thing about the particular '99 bumper is usually that it completely changes the feel from the car. While the 1991 via 1998 models got their own charm—with the pop-up lamps or the "Robo-hop" projector style—the 1999 front end just looks mean. It's got those huge air-intakes and a much more obvious "combat" style that collectors and tuners go absolutely crazy for. But because they only made the handful of these cars in 1999, getting your fingers on an authentic bumper is obtaining harder and more costly every single yr.
Why the particular 1999 Bumper is a Big Deal
If you're a 3000GT nerd, a person know how the 1999 facelift was even more than just the minor tweak. This was a total overhaul of the front fascia. The particular turn signals transferred, the mouth associated with the bumper got wider, and the particular overall lines grew to become much sharper. Intended for a lot of guys owning 1994 or 1997 models, the "99 conversion" is among the most popular mod around. It's the easiest way to create a car designed within the early 90s look like it belongs in a more modern era.
The problem is usually that since the 1999 mitsubishi 3000gt front bumper is usually so desirable, the market is flooded with inexpensive replicas. Now, there's nothing wrong with a replica in case you're on a budget, but they usually come with a lot of headaches. Most of the time, they're made of fiberglass, which doesn't deal with hits very nicely. One bad entrance scrape or perhaps a dodgy speed bump, and you're taking a look at the huge crack. The initial OEM bumpers had been made of the much more versatile plastic (polyurethane), which is why people are willing to pay in excess of a 1000 bucks for an used one in decent shape.
OEM vs. Automotive aftermarket: What's the gap?
When you begin shopping, you're essentially going to see two paths. Path 1 is hunting down a good original part. This usually involves checking eBay, checking the particular 3SI forums every morning, or joining specialized Facebook groupings. It's a little bit of a mill. If you find one, this might have some broken tabs or a few spider-webbing within the paint, but at least a person know it'll fit perfectly.
Path two is the aftermarket route. Presently there are plenty of companies making "1999 style" bumpers. These types of are usually very much cheaper—maybe some 100 bucks instead of a grand—but you have in order to be ready to do some work. I've seen some of these show up at people's houses looking like they had been molded in the backyard. The fitment is often a little off, meaning you'll have spaces close to the headlights or the wheel wells that just don't line up right. If you go this route, you'll probably need the professional body shop to sand it down, heat it up, and pressure it into place.
The Materials Matters
Most aftermarket 1999 mitsubishi 3000gt front bumper options are made of Duraflex or some type of fiberglass mix. Duraflex is marketed to be flexible, but honestly, it's still not as resilient as the particular factory plastic. In case you live in a good area with bad roads, you actually have to become cautious. Fiberglass is actually stiffer; it looks great when it's freshly painted, yet it has zero "give. " On the flip side, it's easier to repair if you do hit something, whereas a torn plastic bumper can be quite much toast.
The Cost associated with a 99 Conversion
It's not really just the bumper itself that costs money. If you're doing a conversion with an older 3000GT or a Dodge Stealth, you're going in order to need more than just the bumper skin. You'll require the '99-specific switch signals (which are also getting rare), the center ornament, and sometimes the particular mounting brackets.
Don't neglect about the headlights. The '99 bumper was designed to sit flush with the 94-98 design projector headlights, yet it really appears best when combined with all the black-bezel '99 lights. If you're doing the whole front end swap, your wallet is definitely going to feel it. But hey, it's the 3000GT—we don't personal these cars due to the fact they're "cheap" in order to maintain, right? We own them due to the fact they're awesome.
Installation Tips intended for the Weekend Auto mechanic
If you've finally scored the 1999 mitsubishi 3000gt front bumper and you're ready to put it on, get your time. This isn't a 20-minute job. You've got a lot of bolts concealed beneath the fender liners and near the particular hood latch that can be the real pain to reach.
One thing I actually always tell individuals is to examine the condition of their own splash shields while they have the bumper off. Usually, these old plastic glasses are cracked or even missing altogether. Since you're already within there, it's the good time to replace them or at least zip-tie them back in to a secure place. Also, monitor the side markers. If you're moving through an older bumper towards the '99, the particular wiring might require a little little bit of a stretch out or some minor modification to get everything to reach the new bulb places.
Painting and Prep Work
If you bought an unpainted bumper, don't just apply it with the rattle can and call it up a time. The front associated with the car will take all the abuse from rocks plus debris. You would like a high-quality base and an obvious coat with the "flex agent" blended in. This allows the paint to bend slightly with the bumper instead of chipping off the very first time you strike 60 mph on the highway.
Color matching is another big hurdle. The 3000GT came within some pretty particular colors, like Caracas Red or Compact country of panama White. Over twenty-plus years, your car's original paint has probably faded a bit. If you just paint the particular bumper the factory color code, this might look too "bright" compared to the relaxation of the vehicle. An excellent shop may blend the paint into the fenders so the transition looks seamless.
Will be it Worth the Hassle?
In our opinion? Absolutely. The particular 1999 mitsubishi 3000gt front bumper is arguably the particular best-looking part Mitsubishi ever designed for that will car. It takes a car that already looks like the spaceship and makes it look even more premium. Every time I see the '94 VR-4 with a '99 front end, I can't help but look. It just gives the car a much wider, lower position that looks incredible in photos as well as better in individual.
Sure, it's a bit of a headache in order to find one. And yeah, you'll probably spend more upon shipping than the particular bumper is in fact worth if you're buying from throughout the country. Yet once it's installed and also you see that aggressive grin looking back at a person in the garage area, you'll forget about the credit cards bill. Just watch out for individuals steep driveways—nobody would like to see a fresh '99 bumper obtain its first battle scar on day time one.
Upkeep and Protection
Once you have your bumper installed, you'll want to keep it looking fresh. Since the 3000GT sits so low to the particular ground, underneath edge of that bumper is basically the magnet for scuff marks. A lot of guys add an universal rubber lip or a custom carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer splitter to the bottom part. It adds a little bit of "armor" and, truthfully, it looks pretty cool too.
Also, maintain it waxed. The level surfaces on the front of the particular '99 bumper capture a lot of bugs and road grime. If a person let that things sit, the acidity can eat in to your clear layer. A quick ceramic coating or actually just a great coat of wax every few a few months will make it much easier to wash off the street gunk following a lengthy weekend drive.
At the end of the day time, whether you're repairing a true 1999 VR-4 or just giving your base model a facelift, that front bumper is the particular centerpiece from the car's identity. It's the first thing people see when you're pulling into a meet, and it's the reason these cars still change heads decades once they left the manufacturer. Keep hunting, stay patient with the particular fitment, and enjoy the transformation!