Just traded my 2006 H3 for a 2008 Luxury model. The mileage was creeping up on the 06 and I found got this one at a great deal. 25k miles, all leather, etc...

The exterior is all black with no chrome which is what I wanted, the only thing I dislike is the piece under the front bumper (silver on the 2008). I know there have been threads on this in the past but I couldnt find any. The question is, does anyone know the part number for this piece? I thought I might try and find a black one at a salvage yard, or has anyone painted their's from silver to black? Again, it's the pice under the bumper that the tow hooks are mounted to. Thanks!

Brandon

 

There are some threads on this topic, I remember suggesting someone paint a mouth with some teeth on there like those old WWII P40 fighters.


The entire front bumper is held on with 8 bolts, the four gong through the D Ring/Tow Hook mounts, and two on each side up in front of ans inside the wheel well for the bumper brackets. The part you are referring to is called an Impact Bar. A good price is about $350.00, and you would have to take it all apart anyway, so why not take it apart and apply a $6.00 can of Rust Oleum Hammered Black. Prep it by a good scuff, clean it, use a tack cloth, spray, let dry, put it back together.

The Impact Bar is attached to the plastic bumper cover with a series of bolt clips using some small 10 & 12MM bolts.

Here is my 07 painted after a rock bash with the Hammered Black. Matched great I thought, but use whatever you want.


This is the inside of the Bumper Cover,.... see all those little clips and bolts laying in the center area of the Bumper Cover behind the center punch grill. That's all there is to it.

 

Doc of course, did it right by removing it all. I was trying to get everything swapped out from my 06 to my 08 after the trade and was trying to get ready for MOAB trip so I cheated and masked mine off and shot it on the H3. It really does stick out painted silver right?

 

If you're trying to find a black one at the boneyard it would have to be from a 2010. GM changed the design (not sure exactly what), but the '06 and '07 impact bars are not interchangable with the '08 - '10, and the '09 is silver like your '08. They went back to black for '10. Your best bet would be as Doc suggested.....repaint.

 

If you are in Michigan area I have a 2008 used one with just tow hook area area damage (pushed in then pulled out). If you plan to repaint then it will work fine. Actually the tow hook will cover up the paint damage also if keep silver. Or if any one else needs this for some off road damage potential, let me know. I'd like to get ~$175 for it.