Show cars w. recessed bumpers
#1
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Show cars w. recessed bumpers
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?
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?
#3
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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
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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?
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?
#10
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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
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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
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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.
#15
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.
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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.
Aluminium is a good idea, Aussiemg. I'll have to see what the cost difference is vs. the weight advantage.
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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.
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.