In the event that you're staring at the crack inside your 2011 mustang rear bumper , you're probably considering your options among a cheap repair or even a full-blown upgrade. It's one of those parts that you simply don't really think about until it's dangling by the plastic clip or even you realize that the stock V6 look just isn't doing it for you anymore. The 2011 model year had been a big deal for the Mustang—it had been the birthday of the particular 5. 0 Coyote engine—and as the motor gets all of the beauty, the rear end styling on these types of S197s is exactly what people are actually looking at when you're tugging away from a stoplight.
Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of a fender bender or you're simply tired of the factory look, modifying your rear bumper is among the most impactful things you can do for your car's profile. Yet before you just click "buy" on the first primer-gray cover the truth is upon eBay, there's the bit of nuance to think about.
Damage Control vs. Visual Upgrades
Most people start looking with regard to a 2011 mustang rear bumper because someone drawn on them in the parking lot. These bumpers are constructed with a flexible plastic (TPO or polypropylene), and while they can have a light strike, they have a tendency to scuff, tear, or lose their shape as soon as they've been moved beyond the boundary. If the particular damage is really a little scratch, you can find aside with a respray. But if the particular tabs that keep the bumper to the quarter panel are usually snapped, you're looking at a replacement.
On the particular flip side, probably your bumper is totally fine, but you want that aggressive GT500 look. The 2011-2012 rear end is distinct through the later 2013-2014 styles, which experienced those high-gloss dark panels and different taillight shapes. In case you have a 2011, you have got that classic, somewhat more muscular "hump" in the rear. Switching to the GT-style bumper when you have a V6—or going complete aftermarket with the diffuser—is a great way to make the car look more "planted. "
The Difference In between GT and V-6 Bumpers
It's a common query: "Will a GRAND TOURING bumper fit our V6? " The short answer will be yes, the increasing points are the same throughout the 2011-2012 range. However, the big difference lies in the lower valance. The 2011 mustang rear bumper for that V6 generally has a single exhaust cutout (unless it was the MCA edition or had an upgrade package), while the GT comes standard along with the dual exhaust system cutouts.
In the event that you're thinking about updating your exhaust to a dual setup, you have to swap the bumper or with least the lower valance. Many people choose the GT bumper since the lower portion is usually a separate piece, allowing you to swap in different diffusers later about. If you've got a base V6 bumper, it's frequently an one-piece deal where you can't easily change the lower "black part" without some serious cutting.
Dealing with Paint Complementing
Unless you find an utilized 2011 mustang rear bumper within a junkyard that happens to end up being your exact color, you're going in order to be dealing with a paint shop. This particular is where the "cheap" project may get expensive. Ford producer used some iconic colors in 2011—Kona Blue, Race Red, Grabber Blue, plus the classic Performance White.
Don't assume that will your own car will be "Red, " any kind of red bumper may do. You should check the paint program code on the sticker within your driver's side door jamb. Actually then, paint ends over a decade associated with being out within the sun. A brand-new bumper decorated with "factory fresh" Kona Blue might look a small deeper or richer than your 13-year-old fenders. An excellent body shop can "blend" the paint in to the quarter panels so the transition is invisible, yet that adds to the labor cost.
Aftermarket Choices and Durability
There are many companies producing aftermarket versions of the 2011 mustang rear bumper . A few are direct OEM replacements meant to appear exactly like exactly what came from the factory, while other people are more intense.
In case you go the aftermarket replacement route, pay interest to the material. Urethane is generally the way in order to go for a street car. It's flexible, handles protrusions well, and fits more like the unique part. Fiberglass is common with regard to race-inspired bumpers or even heavy-duty drag setups, but it's brittle. If you clean a driveway with a fiberglass bumper, it's likely to break or spiderweb, whereas urethane will just flex and maybe lose a bit associated with paint.
The particular GT500 Style Swap
One associated with the most popular mods for this generation is the GT500 rear valance. It gives you individuals chunky, aggressive fins and usually needs a dual-exit exhaust along with four-inch tips in order to really fill away the look. To do this on a standard 2011 mustang rear bumper , you usually have to cut the lower part of your existing bumper if it's a GT, or even replace the whole device if you're beginning with a base V6. It's the bit of work, but in my opinion, it's the best the S197 has ever appeared from behind.
Installation: Can A person Do It Yourself?
Replacing a 2011 mustang rear bumper is actually a pretty manageable DIY project. You don't need a lift, though having the back end on jack stands can make it easier to reach the screws inside the steering wheel wells.
The procedure usually goes such as this: 1. Pop the trunk and take away the plastic trim panel covering the latch. 2. Remove the taillights (these are held in by a few nut products behind the carpet). 3. Unscrew the bolts in the particular wheel wells and the clips underneath the car. four. Gently pull the bumper away through the clips that run along the particular edge of the quarter panels.
The particular "gently" part is key. Those plastic clips are notorious for snapping, particularly if they've been sitting down in the high temperature for over 10 years. If you split them, the bumper won't sit flush against the entire body, and you'll end up getting that annoying "bumper gap" that haunts so many revised Mustangs. It's well worth spending ten bucks to buy a bag associated with new clips before you start.
Don't Forget the Small Stuff
When you're purchasing a new 2011 mustang rear bumper , check to discover if it goes along with the reflectors and the license plate lighting housings. Often, a "bare" bumper is definitely just your invisalign aligner covering. You'll need to move your old reflectors, lights, and wires harness to the particular new one. If your old bumper was smashed, those small plastic bits may be broken too, therefore add those to your shopping list early.
Also, think about the state associated with your rear foam absorber. That's the best chunk of "styrofoam" that sits between the bumper cover as well as the actual metal accident bar. If you were in a good accident, that polyurethane foam is likely crushed. It's designed in order to be one-time make use of, and when you don't replace it, the new bumper may feel "squishy" or even look slightly submerged in certain areas.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of the particular day, your 2011 mustang rear bumper much more compared to just an item of plastic in order to cover the body. It's a huge area of the car's identity. Whether you're going for a clean OEM restoration or even a mean-looking street device with a huge rear diffuser, getting the time to get the fitment and color right is worthy of the time and effort.
The S197 platform is aging gracefully, and keeping the particular exterior tight plus well-maintained is exactly what separates a "clunker" through a modern classic. Take your time with the clips, don't skimp on the paint prepare, as well as your Mustang may be looking new from the rear for another 100 thousand miles. Simply try to stay away from those high curbs when you're backing up!