I've seen a few members posting custom jobs with the front bumpers more or less flush with the front header panel. This requires removing the bumper mount hydraulics.

I've been thinking of making some shortened bumper mounts to replace the hydraulics. This would move the stock metal bumper (inside the skin) in by almost 4", allowing a flush or almost flush front bumper skin while still providing front end protection.

Of course, deleting the hydraulics means you'd lose your 2.5mph (US) or 5mph (Canada) low-speed impact protection that normally allows the bumper to compress, then pop back out to full extension. This would make a shortened mount kit appropriate only for show cars that still want support and protection up front but wouldn't see a lot of road use.

Since I'm making the templates anyhow, would other users be interested in similar mounts?

 

yes, can you make them from aluminum?

 

When I did mine I blew the oil out of the shocks cut the tubes to the lenght I wanted and welded them up. It's way easier than fabbing something. If you remove the sheet metal light brackets off the ends and remount the clearance/blinkers on the front you can get the aluminum bumper real tight to the front. I can get a closer pic if you like

 

So where do you rest the groceries while opening the rear lid and where do you put your foot when you talk about your car????



j/k

 

Well I usually spill the groceries and scratch the paint looking for a footrest, but a beer usually helps

 

That is cool, i have wondered about this for the longest time, i would like to see more pics of the front and rear of the car please

 

Yes, that looks so good, better pics please budrud...

 

i remember seeing a japanese 78-79 car, and it had normal steel brackets instead of the shocks. its like the 86-93 pickups. the brackets were a bunch lighter than the shock assemblies too.

 

well, the front shocks are only about 3.3 lbs each.

 

Here's some closer pics. Manntis is right about losing the 2.5 mph shock but I figured if I retained the stock mounts the higher speed crash resistance will be the same as before- or not. Either way the body kit will need some serious repair. I hope to not find out

 

Pulling the bumpers in, along with the kit really changes the look of your 7. Kinda has that old Celica look, nicely done.

 

Thanks Trochoid, The shock shortening was a fairly common practice in the bimmer community I was in before I joined the dark side. I have no idea on longeivity, I designed the parts to be as flexible as possible but these bodies flex quit a bit I think

 

I agree. Designers don't like setting the bumpers out away from the body (called offset), but the engineers make them do it so the bumper won't stroke into the bodywork. I think the original designers would be happy with your changes.

 

I guess I'll just have to live in fear of the dreaded 2.5 mph crash. I parked my front spoiler about a 1/4" from a parking curb the other day so I feel like I'm living on borrowed time.

 

Hey! I just did this to my bumpers. It's easy. The shocks do only weigh like 3.3 lbs each as mentioned by Manntis , but small replacement brackets coupled with lightening holes throughuot the bumper got me 14 lbs off the SA's front like I said on my thread. BudRud's look pretty neat, but i think I like them to stick out alittle. An inch or so looks really good. I was thinking, you could always use some rubber spacers to get a little more insurance, maybe like 1/2 inch ones. Just a thought. My reason for doing the bumper mods it more or less for the weight than the appearance. I couldn't resist the 36lbs I dropped of of the front and rear. Even though my car's no race car It had to be done.

 

Actually Budrud, yoiur bumpers look pretty dang cool.

 

looks nice , the side profile looks like a mini FC

 

Thanks, I was amazed what 3" off the front and 2" off the back did to the appearance.

 

Looks like this is worth pursuing I have a meeting with the fab shop tomorrow.

Aluminium is a good idea, Aussiemg. I'll have to see what the cost difference is vs. the weight advantage.

 

i always thought this car looked good

 

A slight lip @ the back is not a bad idea - helps protect the tail lights.

 

That back end looks pretty nice, AWS. Can we see some closer ups and/or a different angle. Kinda reminds me of a 928....GASP!

 

glew-- thats all the pics i have. it was for sale on autotrader years ago and i saved the pics. it has an integra front bumper is al i remember. if i could figure out what bumper that is id be installing it on my car now, but oh well.

 

Any pics of the work in progress? Very interested in this mod, really changes the look for the better in my opinion.

 

of my work in progress, or the completed recessed bumpers featured by others in this thread?

I'm crunching numbers with my plastics guys to see if it's worth making new mounts; if forming the cap is too pricey, no point in maning the hardware. But I'm confident we'll reach an accord soon. Then it's on to the shortened mounts.