Front valance removal for led light install questions

[thegipper]

So I bought a set of led lights. They are approximately 6" wide that I want to install in the front valance on either side of the license plate. I was planning on cutting out a section on either side of the horizontal plastic piece on the valance. The mount for the lights is in the center and has a single stud that goes downward. My plan was to drill a hole in the valance and mount it to the platic.

My 97 has lived mostly in the rust belt so my concerns are:

Can i just remove the entire valance?

Should I just remove the entire bumper with valance?

How likely will I be able to remove either of them due to rusty bolts?

Can I do all the work I need while it's all together still?

Thoughts?

PS - that pathetically drawn yellow thing is roughly the shape of the lights and it shows how the bolt will have to go through the bottom.

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[thegipper]

I'm thinking cutting out the horizontal plastic piece in the center will be easy with a sawzall but drilling the hole for the mount is going to be ***** unless I can drill it from underneath.

Also, install the light and tightening down the bolt/nuts is going to be a pain if the valance is still on the vehicle unless again, I can access it all underneath.

Anyone have experience with this?

Here are the actual lights I bought if that helps.

 

[Chuckles89]

I think it would be better if you mounted the lights upside-down with the bolt going through the metal part of the bumper

The valence is held on with 10-15 10mm head bolts. They are probably rusty on yours.

I would just remove the bumper. It's 2 bolts on each side on the frame then 1 bolt on each side through a hole in the plastic fender liner

 

[thegipper]

I think it would be better if you mounted the lights upside-down with the bolt going through the metal part of the bumper

The valence is held on with 10-15 10mm head bolts. They are probably rusty on yours.

I would just remove the bumper. It's 2 bolts on each side on the frame then 1 bolt on each side through a hole in the plastic fender liner

I think you are right Chuckles, mounting it upside down to the metal bumper is probably a better idea.

To drill the holes for them I will still probably have to remove the valance though correct? Obviously once the bumper is removed from the vehicle?

Thanks

 

[TheDurk]

It is realy tough to remove the valence without removing the whole bumper. It is much easier to remove the whole thing and the big bumper bolts are much less likely to be frozen by rust that the little valence bolts. Just pull the whole thing. You then can probably mount the lights without splitting off the valence which is likely to be a huge pain, and it may not survive the trauma.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I think it would be better if you mounted the lights upside-down with the bolt going through the metal part of the bumper

The valence is held on with 10-15 10mm head bolts. They are probably rusty on yours.

I would just remove the bumper. It's 2 bolts on each side on the frame then 1 bolt on each side through a hole in the plastic fender liner

I did the exact thing that the OP is trying to do except with one, larger LED light bar. It's much better to drill the underside of the metal bumper since the plastic valance cannot hold any weight whatsoever without bending and flopping around.

It is realy tough to remove the valence without removing the whole bumper. It is much easier to remove the whole thing and the big bumper bolts are much less likely to be frozen by rust that the little valence bolts. Just pull the whole thing. You then can probably mount the lights without splitting off the valence which is likely to be a huge pain, and it may not survive the trauma.

Yeah, I tried to remove the valance with mine but some of the bolts are blocked by the frame. I just cut the valance when it was on the vehicle, marked and drilled the holes in the bumper without removing anything. Was pretty simple that way.

 

[thegipper]

How were you able to drill the metal top of the bumper with the valance still on?

 

[gamefreakgc]

I cut away the sections of the valance that I needed and then drilled in the metal. If you are attaching it to the top, you can't tell if the plastic is still there or not.

 

[3rzrunner]

I threw a curved one over there and mounted it to the chassis ends, the bolts holding the plastic piece on actually came off really easy after being soaked in wd40. but i removed the whole bumper first, then removed that piece so it did make it easier.

 

[thegipper]

Got them installed. Both of the bolts that hold the bumper on through the wheel well snapped off.

Also, I don't how you guys mounted it to the top of the bumper since there is hardly any material there, especially on one side. I had to make some brackets and use two existing holes.

It turned out pretty good, lights a crazy bright. My only issue is the bumper isn't reinstalling nicely (sags, especially on one side) but it will have to be good enough.

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[absalom]

I'll throw in a curveball and say you should consider doing an HID projector retrofit at the same time. The pre -99 headlights are downright dangerous. By swapping to 99+ lights and then doing a simple retrofit, you'd have at least 5 times the light, AND you'd actually be able to use it on a daily basis. They'll actually even put out more light than 2x 6" bars, and you won't have to worry about being pulled over for using em!

 

[thegipper]

I wasn't planning on using these on the road but for when I'm up at our hunting land.

Which specific projector retrofit kit would you recommend, I wouldn't mind taking a look at that.

Thanks