So yesterday I went ahead and installed the OEM lip kit on the car... finally. Let me tell you though, it is a PITA to take the front bumper off and the entire kit took about 7 hours due to my extreme OCD and care. As I installed the front lip, I went ahead and installed my HID fogs as well.

However, after installing both the HID fogs and the lip, I realized that in order to install the switchbacks, you are supposed to pull the switchback housing out through the front of the bumper and the new OEM lip is prohibiting that housing from coming out. Is there a way to work around this? I tried to pull the bulb out from behind the bumper but it didn't seem like it would come out. Am I doing something wrong?

Just because taking off the front bumper and putting it back in, (recommend you do it with two people) was such a hassle, I'm about to give up on installing the switchbacks. If there isn't a way to install this through the back, I guess I'll just post the bulbs and resistors on the black market. Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

i don't have a front lip kit so I can't confirm whether you can remove the whole housing or not after installing it.

however....i can confirm that you can remove the bulbs without removing the housing. The plugs are in pretty damn tight but if you twist them they will come out.

one more thing...the reason people recommend removing the whole housing from the front is because you can pull the cables with it which will make splicing easy...if you pop the bulbs out from behind and don't remove the housing, doing the splices could be tricky. Probably best if the front end is on jacks

 

Oh, thats great to know! Thanks lift3d_! Maybe once I get my back healed from the previous project I'll take the front bumper off again... :X

 

no problem! let us know how it goes!

hope you have a speedy recovery until then

 

do it right the first time, take it off, it will save you time.. bumper only really takes about 5 mins to take off with 2 people.

 

What do you mean by doing it right the first time? Regardless, I have to take the bumper off in order to install the switchbacks which I plan to do. My original question was if I was able to install the switchbacks without pulling the housing through the front because the front lip was blocking it from sliding out.

The installation instructions for installing the switchbacks on the forums don't require you to take the front bumper off so if you know the correct way, please do tell. I get anxiety when I have parts lying around that aren't installed yet.

 

I think he just meant to avoid any issues, do it the way you know youll succeed, taking the whole bumper off. I dropped the nut inside the bumper when taking mine off, it was a pain finding it, can't imagine that with a freaking front lip haha

 

Ahh i see, well I'll give you guys an update but before that i need to complain to iJDM for giving me two hid fogs that are different temp bulbs. Grrr. Once i get the correct bulbs ill install everything at once.

 

first of all, having the housing come off wont make the bulb come off the housing any easier... the bulb is simply stuck.. if you are trying to use your hands to twist off the bulb then you are doing it wrong. Use pliers, turn and it should come off.

also in no way the housing is needed to come off. it virtually does nothing to help the stuck bulb issue.


technically you can install switchbacks with the bumper it is really hard to work around the small area.. If you want it to be done properly then i suggest you take the bumper off. Remember these resistors that you have to use get really hot and need to be mounted somewhere to keep it away from touching other wires.. I.E. the frame of your car.