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-   1st Gen Protege/323/GLC (https://www.mazda3club.com/1st-gen-protege-323-glc-38/)
-   -   Finally had a chance to test fit - pics (https://www.mazda3club.com/1st-gen-protege-323-glc-38/finally-had-chance-test-fit-pics-23931/)

proteus April-13th-2003 01:42 PM

Finally had a chance to test fit - pics
 
Well, I have been wanting to do this for about 6 months now but just haven't had the chance, plus I have heard others asking about this so I thought I would show everybody that it will work and that I am not copying anybody. Not that's bad but, you know.

Here are pics of a 2nd gen escort gt bumper on my '92 Pro.

First, It DOES fit. Second only minor modification needed.

Here are my plans, because the bumper has a hump in the top center I had first considered trying to chop it off and mold it flat but after some thinking (good thing I have had to wait) I have decided to modify the grill and the 2 trim pieces under the lights. The lights will clear the hump. So I will make a recess in the grill and the 2 trim pieces only need just a little material taken off.

I decided this cause the trim pieces and grill can be picked up for cheap and if I ever decide to remove the bumper it will be whole.

Also the bolt holes line up but (anyone who has taken off an escort or 1st gen pro bumper will know what i am talking about) the one non slotted hole is too small for the escort bolt, and the escort bolts are narrower on each side by about a 1/4 inch. A little dremal work needed.

And that is all.:D

Remember when looking at these pictures that after the holes are drilled out it will sit back about an inch more and won't tilt like it is in the picture..

What do you guys think??

Front view
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/fc58a6b7.jpg

Front top view
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/fc58a6b2.jpg

Right side
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2/fc58a6a2.jpg

Left side
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/fc58a6a6.jpg

thunderb0lt April-13th-2003 01:46 PM

Looks good. Now you just need to paint it.

(On a side note, isn't this supposed to be in the Interior/Exterior section?)

Identity_X April-13th-2003 04:24 PM

wow......very nice!!!

Make sure you post some pics once its permanently on and painted.

Good find:bt:

Maz94Protege April-13th-2003 05:35 PM

looks good, the grille section needs to be shaved down a bit, stickin up a lil too far. But all around, its looks like a good mod.

ne3ek April-13th-2003 06:34 PM

GT bumpers are kinda hard to find though..

kagekun April-13th-2003 10:24 PM

More Pics!!
 
dam sexy, i love the license plate part on that bumper. Think ill hit the j-yard now and pick one up. Was it hard to get it on?

1ofdfew323 April-14th-2003 12:55 AM

its aight. i'd better off keepin the stock bumpers.

proteus April-14th-2003 05:51 AM

Thanks for all the positive responses guys.

1ofdfew323 : Thanks for your thought too, But I guess different tastes are what make the world go around.

GT bumpers are hard to find - I probably spent more in time than in money to find one local so I could check it out first.

Just a tip to all - Junk Yards are notorious for lying. I don't know how many times I called a yard and asked if they had a 91-96 Escort GT bumper and they would say "Yeah! come on down" and I would ask again and they would say "Yeah! come on down", Then when I got there sometimes they didn't even have an escort. And I know they didn't misunderstand me cause I am in Texas and we ALL T-A-L-K R-E-A-L S-L-O-W. Make sure you tell them to put their hand on it and that you will call them back.


Maz94Protege: I know if your like me you probably just like the pictures, but in my first post I explained what I was going to do so I wouldn't have to shave the lip off and ruin the bumper for later use.

I will definitly put up more pics - I have the bumper, side skirts, and a GT spoiler to paint and put on if everything works out right!

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY!!
I have a lot in the works.

:D

Tweeaks April-14th-2003 10:35 AM

I'm gonna have to go with onefdefew on this one i think that the stock bumper is better also. I'm not trying to say the escort GT bumper looks bad or anything.;) That definately is a good find though. So are you gonna take pics of everything you had to do?
There's an escort bodykit and jeremy here on the boards was saying he really liked it.

What are the side skirts off of? An Escort GT?
And the spoiler that you're using off of the Protege GT, or Escort?

proteus April-14th-2003 12:50 PM

Tweeaks - Thanks for your opinion did the ;) mean you do think it looks bad.;)

I will have pics when I do the final fit.

If jeremy wants the front bumper of that kit I think it would be a minor issue for him to fit it as long as it is a direct fit for an escort.

The sidskirts are from an EGT - I originally got them for my escort.
I have not test fitted them yet but I am 90% sure they will fit.

The spoiler is from a protege GT

After that I will if I can find a way to get one get a familia rear bumper -- BTW:If anyone has one??

kagekun: It pretty much fits you just have to look at the mounting holes and ream them out if needed - and - modify the grill and the plastic trim under the headlights to allow the bumper to fit (that is my choice on how to do it) also I would drill a hole at the upper corner of the bumper where it screws to the fender for more stability and maybe add the escort side bumper supports.

Felix Wankel April-14th-2003 02:17 PM

Got any pictures directly from the side? I'd like to see how different the moldings are.

1ofdfew323 April-14th-2003 09:49 PM

oh ! im not hating on ur car i think thats good wut ur doing since our cars barely have part out on the stores and even if we do have parts for it they cost hella bank! i just think that the front gt bumper is not for me.....thats my opinion.

Tweeaks April-14th-2003 11:44 PM

Oh proteus, the ;) meant good work.:) So.....the Escort GT sideskirts are the same length? Might not be a bad idea for me for now. Until i can find some that i really like. What do the Side skirts look like, can you post a pic or two? Oh and since you've got an escort and pro, do the front grilles interchange on the two? I'm not too sure if they do or don't.

There was a GT spoiler i saw on e-bay last night, in case you hadn't gotten one yet. I think it was $ 170 for it.

proteus April-15th-2003 06:09 AM

Sorry Tweeaks, I was just messin wicha.


Thanks for the heads up on the spoiler but...
I have a line on a new one - the spoiler that is. (my secret, after I get it I will let everyone know)

As for the sideskirts they are at a friends house so I can't measure them - But I will measure my escort and by protege and let you know if they are the same. - The one thing that I don't like is that I will have to remove my front mud guards. I hope I can find some that will fit aound the sid skirt.

1ofdfew323, sorry if I gave you thre impression that I was thinking that. Thanks for the compliment and candor. Big Ups on your ride, being different is hard but it is worth it when you pull into a parkinglot and don't see 5 cars exactly like yours - I guess that is the same feeling when a girl goes to a party and sees someone else with the same dress on :p

islandpro April-15th-2003 04:58 PM

hey nice job. :) what did it set you back?


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