[Rob67gto]

I've read all the threads I could find about doing this, and I'm still not convinced. Does the front bumper need to be removed to get this job done? Please give step by step if you know it. Thanks, Rob

[goatman55]

I think it would be pretty hard to do with the bumper in place. I've only removed mine while taking the car apart for paint. They have bolts that are hard to get to with the bumper in place.
I'm sure there are others who have done this many times.

Dave

[BlueGTO]

I would half to say yes you need to remove the bumper. There is a lip that goes under the bumper and I really dont think you would get them in or out without scruing them up.There are only 4 bolts that hold the bumper on and its really not that hard to remove with one other persons help to make sure it does not hit a fender.
Im betting it would be 1000 times faster and easer jest to remove the bumper than fight it with it on in my opinion

[Tempest]

I just assembled mine and I say yes, the bumper has to be removed. There are only 4 bolts holding it onto the frame, take the 2 out that are farthest forward, and only loosen the back 2, this should allow the bumper to swing down out of your way, and still not hit the body. (allows you to reposition the bumper during reassembly without having to line everything back up while liftuing a heavy awkward bumper) There are 2 bolts that attach the surrounds to the rad cradle (top bolts), and 2 bolts bottom bolts) that attach the surrounds to the lower cross member on each surround. There is also 1 bolt at each outside end of the surround that attaches to the lower fender extention (below headlight bezel) The easiest way, is to remove the 6 screws that attach the header panel to the rad cradle and remove the entite piece as the front header panel trim attaches the header panel to the surrounds and there is no way to access those.
1.loosen bumper and swing down
2.remove 8 bolts that hold the surrounds (4 each) and the 2 at each end
3.remove 6 header screws
4.remove entire header panel with grill surrounds attached

All these 'bots' are self tappers that screw into steel clips that have been slipped onto plastic brackets. The nuts that are used on the header panel trim (holds surround to header panel) are studs that come out if the trim, be gentle, as you do not want to break these studs. I used the repro surrounds as well and was very pleased with the fit

Hope this makes sense

[Rob67gto]

It makes perfect sense. Just swing the bumper down, don't remove it (if I understood that part right). Then remove the surrounds, grilles, header panel and trim as one piece then disassemble / reassemble those on the bench. If I'm wrong, please correct me.

Thanks to everyone. Rob

[Tempest]

That's the way I would do it. You may want to have replacement self tappers with clips in case any break. Good luck with it.

[Midnight Goat]

It can be done with everything in place. I don't recommend it. If I could do it again, which im sure I will have to do eventually, I would tear everything off after the frustration and contortions my arms went through.