Ibiza Mk2 Pre to post facelift bumper conversion
Here we go again, just because I'm feeling nice and a few people seem to be coming across the same problems I did about a year ago. Here is a how2
guide on converting the
Mk2 Ibiza’s bumpers from pre-facelift (1993-95) to the facelift type (1996-99). Sorry for war & peace here but I'm trying to cover everyone’s questions.
Rear Bumper.
I'll start off by stating that the rear bumper from a 96 onwards car will fit exactly onto a pre 1996 car, using the exact same mountings and the same bolts. (IIRC 2 at the top 2 at the bottom) this will take 15 mins max to swap em over. (If you have a big bore exhaust you might need to trim the black lower skirt with a Stanley knife). All 96-99 cars have the same rear bumper, it doesn’t matter what model you source from (1.0,1.4,2.0, Cupra) they are all the same.
Pre-facelift bumper (1993-1995) pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/ibizaprefaceliftrear.jpg
Facelift bumper (1996-1999) pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/96faceliftrear.jpg
Front Bumper
This is where things get awkward. I will try and simplify things as best I can. Here goes!
There is a bit of confusion about the 3 types of front bumper, here's the best explanation I can manage:
Type 1, Pre-facelift up to 1995 (all models 1.4/1.6/2.0) Pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/ibizaprefaceliftfront.jpg
Type 2, Facelift Phase 1 some 1996 cars only (all models) this will fit right on. Pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/96facelift.jpg
Type 3, Facelift 1996 onwards (all models) Pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/IM000373.jpg
Now, you will be thinking what’s the difference between a type 2 and a type 3 bumpers? Well, during production between 1995 & 1996 Seat "face lifted" the
Ibiza and changed the lights/grill/indicators/bumper and also the front wings. The difference is just over 1/2 an inch either side of the bumper, making the type 3 bumper not fit onto the pre 96 cars (but it will, stay with me here)
A "type 2" (1996)
Ibiza bumper will fit straight onto a pre 1996 car, no problems. Use the same fittings that the original bumper fitted on. (These are not made by seat anymore and are difficult to get)
A "type 3" (1996 onwards) will require some work to make it fit properly (see below)
Fitting
guide
To remove the existing bumper, start by removing the indicators (push out) and grill (3 screws under bonnet, 4 plastic clips) to get access to the mounting bolts 2 at the top 2 at the bottom (10mm bolts) there is a clip either side of the existing bumper, which takes a little time to work loose.
It will look like this. pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/aam.jpg
Also remove the lower plastic trim.
Now for the new bumper
The new bumper, it will fit on the front of the car properly but will be a bit wider at the sides about 1/2 inch either side. It sits back on the 4 10mm studs that the original bumper sat on. I used 2 small strips of aluminum to tack the bumper to the arch liner (you will need to remove the front wheels too). You will need 2 people to do this, one to flex the bumper in, one to drill and tack the bumper to the arch liner. Pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/PICT0002.jpg
The aluminum or steel was cut to size using tin snips, then using a small drill and some self tapper screws the bumper was tacked to the arch liner
the aluminum strip, all it is is a strip about 1/2 inch wide by about 8 inch long with lots of holes in for self tappers, it was real thin aluminium to bend to the curve of the arch liner
Then just tighten everything up and put it all back together (indicators, grill, wheels)
Fog Lights
If your pre-facelift bumper has fog lights, they will just screw into place using the existing connections if your car already had fog lights fitted. If not there are 2 blanking caps to go over the holes in the bumper where the lights could go. There are 2 different types of fog lights (pre-facelift and facelift models)
Splitter
The later spec bumpers (type 2 & type 3) came with slightly different splitters. The 1.0 & 1.4 models came with a small black splitter
pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/IM000311.jpg
Where as the Cupra's came with a deeper splitter
pic:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Evilkinevil/IM000373.jpg
It is very easy to change the splitters over; they are still available from Seat dealer’s code being 6K0805903E
However there are a few variations, please check with your dealer before you purchase.
There, think I covered everything. Please let me know if the links don't work or you require stuff to be explained more.
This may not be completely correct but working on my 1995
Ibiza GTi I have found it to be true to the best of my knowledge
Good luck
this was a wee
guide I knocked up for the old seatcupra site (now shut)
I think all the links still work, some of the pictures are a bit small now though
I have heard that my
guide is slighty wrong but not sure what, as this worked on my car.
unfortunally I don't have any pics of the car without the bumpers on so you can see the car naked
hope this helps, if you need any more info just drop me a line