14 replies to this topic

[DoriDori]

After getting what parts I needed off a donor 850 at my local junkyard, I began to mock up random lips off several cars to the junk 850's front bumper. I was having a blast! After test fitting several I really liked, I decided to go with the lip from a 1992 VW Passat. The material was flexible, its very simple to remove from the Passat, its European, texture and color matched the trim on the 850, the curves actually complimented the 850's bumper, and I think it just looks hot!.



(Also note the Passat lip is actually 2 pieces making it easy to mock to your Volvo bumper. The driver side slips into the passenger side leaving a flush look with about 2 inches of adjustability. )

Time: 1.5 Hours

Part Cost: $5 from Junkyard


Tools you'll need:



1. The tabs VW used to secure the lip to the Passat need to be cut or ground down so the surface can mate flush with the 850s bumper. I used a fresh razor blade but I suppose a Dremel tool could also do the job.

(before)




(after)




2. The passenger side of the lip has several "circles" left from the manufacturing. Use the razor (or Dremel) to make the circle closest to the mating joint flush with the plastic.

(before)



(after)



3. Mock the two lips pieces into position on your 850 bumper. I used C-clamps to hold it in place. I'm sure there are many other ways to hold in place. The lip will not sit perfectly flush with the 850 bumper. In some places it juts out more than others but take time and shift it into a position that is pleasing to the eye. To center the lip, I measured the distance from the mating point on the lip to a reference point on the 850 bumper.



4. With the bumper positioned how I liked it, I began to drill holes through the lip and bumper one at a time. Once a hole is drilled, run a cable tie through it and tighten securely without moving the lip or the clamps. Only remove a clamp when it is covering a tab you wish to drill through. Doing this will keep your end result looking exactly how your mock up looks. When starting to drill, I began in the middle and worked my way to the outside while taking a step back every other hole to make sure the lip didn't shift in a way I didn't want it to. I drilled and hole for a cable tie about every other tab. The more the better because at cruising speeds you don't want the lip to be loose.





5. Finished!! Once I replace the burnt exhaust valve and get it running again I will take some better pictures. She is a MESS right now!

[Oreo931]

Good effort and nice write up. Do you plan on extending the sides of the lip so it sits flush with the sides of the bumper?

[DoriDori]

Yes, I do. Next time I'm at the junk yard I will grab another Passat lip haha.

[Jesus]

Not bad.

[Logan2224]

Nice! I'll be doing a similar thing with an early 90s Accord lip. Rob and I discovered that a while back. Thanks for the great write up! It'll be a big help

[RobT5.]

Logan2224, on 18 January 2012 - 03:52 PM, said:

Nice! I'll be doing a similar thing with an early 90s Accord lip. Rob and I discovered that a while back. Thanks for the great write up! It'll be a big help

I still have that lip chillin at the house.
still upset it fits a stock 70 bumper perfectly and not an R bumper. but w/e.

Dori nice job!

[DoriDori]

RobT5A, on 18 January 2012 - 04:01 PM, said:

I still have that lip chillin at the house.
still upset it fits a stock 70 bumper perfectly and not an R bumper. but w/e.

Dori nice job!

Thanks, Guys! Is the s70 in your sig equipped with the Accord lip? Looks great!

[RobT5.]

DoriDori, on 19 January 2012 - 01:21 AM, said:

Thanks, Guys! Is the s70 in your sig equipped with the Accord lip? Looks great!

Nu thats a volvo 960 lip Cut/bondo'd to make it fit.

[Mattphi]

[JVC]

Mattphi, on 19 January 2012 - 02:51 PM, said:

I would plastic weld or fiberglass and bondo the center crack so it's not visible. I just saw this lip at the junkyard yesterday and was confused why it was already cut in the middle... Needless to say I picked up a 740 Lip instead.

[Ian Carr]

better pictures would help

[exexpat]

That duck bill style was functional on Passats, too. The grille-less front end and behind-emblem intake snorkel meant all air to the radiator came through the lower front bumper. Needless to say, they didn't always cool well in arid climates.

That said, I'm not sure about it. I like the duck bill from the front, but wish the sides were an inch deeper.

[kalvin]

exexpat, on 19 January 2012 - 08:58 PM, said:

I like the duck bill from the front, but wish the sides were an inch deeper.

This. Looks awkward from the side.

[Yellow95]

Shave the front of your wheel wells.