I just got a fog light kit for a 97 Max in today. After cutting the horizontal bars and trying to get the mounting brackets in, it becomes apparent there is NO WAY to get the brackets in through the opening in the bumper. Furthermore, it looks like taking the plastic guard under the enging off wouldn't help any either. I know the car has had some front end work done, including a bumper replacement, is it possible that I have a 95-96 bumper and this is why it doesn't work?

BTW if I do have to take the bumper off, how hard is it and is there any write-ups available?

 

Looking at your cardomain page, it looks like you have the 97-99 bumper, so you should be ok.

I just put in fogs into my 98 and I had to take down the plastic guards under the car. That is the only way to slide in the brackets. The fog lights themselves slip in from the front of the bumper.

 

you can always remove the front bumper cover, then you'll have plenty of room

 

you have to remove the front bumper cover. did this to my 98 gle a while back and the cover is a b*tch to remove. there are some bolts (3 i think) along the seam you can see. the drivers side is a lot easier but the passenger has the wiper fluid res i belive thats in the way and makes it really difficult to get to the bolts. so i suggest doing the drivers side first then you know a little about the placement and whatnot. also you need to remove the grill and corner lights and headlights to even begin. i dont have a full write up, i remember it being really straight forward on what to do to remove the cover. there is loads of room to do this once the cover is gone. pm if you have any other questions

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I actually was able to install the fogs fairly easily once I took out 2 bolts in the outside plastic guards, which enabled me to move (not remove) them and slide the bracket in. If the instructions provided had simply stated that removing/moving the plastic underguards was necessary rather than an alternative method, I could have save an hour of my life!!!