Need help with 74 bumper install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Need help with 74 bumper install
A while back I purchased a True Flex rear bumper and the install kit from Eckler's consisting of the individual mounting brackates to replace the 3 factory large ones. I'm at a loss on how to start though due to the rear lights. The rear light brackets appear to be riveted on as you can hopefully see in the photo below. There's an exposed rivet on the right side. Anyway, I'm assuming that these brackets need to come off so I can get the bumper mounting bracktes in place. Am wondering are 74's unique in this area ? Do I need to drill out the rivets, add the bumper clips, then bolt the light bracktes back in place maybe ? And about attaching the bumper to the new clips and slipping the nuts on ... it looks like there will be about 0 working room unless you have fingers that are long and thin like The Grinch's. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Well, my 75 rear fiberglass bumper required the removal of the
light brackets (different from yours). It also needed other supports
removed and a portion of the main bumper bar needed grinding to
fit the license plate recess. After all that, the light sockets and lenses
were screwed directly to the fiberglass bumper cover.
I guess this is my first time seeing these. How do the lenses remove ?
On 75, there are 2 screws in each lense. Perhaps yours need to come off
as assemblies and mount as a unit to the new bumper cover ... then bolt cover in place.
The pictures below show the body simply tossed on the old chassis.
The body is NOT aligned to frame/bumper bar.
75 rear modded for fiberglass bumper:
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_01.jpg
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_02.jpg
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_03.jpg
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_04.jpg
light brackets (different from yours). It also needed other supports
removed and a portion of the main bumper bar needed grinding to
fit the license plate recess. After all that, the light sockets and lenses
were screwed directly to the fiberglass bumper cover.
I guess this is my first time seeing these. How do the lenses remove ?
On 75, there are 2 screws in each lense. Perhaps yours need to come off
as assemblies and mount as a unit to the new bumper cover ... then bolt cover in place.
The pictures below show the body simply tossed on the old chassis.
The body is NOT aligned to frame/bumper bar.
75 rear modded for fiberglass bumper:
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_01.jpg
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_02.jpg
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_03.jpg
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/75_rear_bumper_04.jpg
Last edited by NHvette; Nov 13, 2006 at 08:07 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 550
Likes: 2
From: smithfield nc usa 27577
They are bolted on...reach up behind the fiberglass box ...two or three bolts per light...be carefull they are threaded into the plastic.
they come right out.
The covers are not removable dont try.
Lmk if you you need more info....mines apart now.
they come right out.
The covers are not removable dont try.
Lmk if you you need more info....mines apart now.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Thanks guys, removing the lights for starters sounds like the best approach. Had a feeling the 74's were different since until recently I couldn't find any repro backup/tail lights. Once I removed the rear covers and saw those rivets and the tiny armount of workspace I kind of moved on to the interior 
Interior is about 75% done now and am waiting for parts so back to the bumper ....
Thanks again
Interior is about 75% done now and am waiting for parts so back to the bumper .... Thanks again
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Porch40
...Had a feeling the 74's were different since until recently I couldn't find any repro backup/tail lights....
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: St. Joe Mi
I just put the same bumper on my 74. I was trying to use the replacement brackets too, I ended up taking my original large brackets and welding new studs in them. For me at least those little replacement parts seemed not to be worth it.
For getting to the studs, the taillight definatly need to come off as it requires reaching up behind fiberglass brakets the tail lights fasten to. Each tail light has 2 studs screwed into it, the new taillights I just installed used the little sheet metal speed nut things, the taillights I took out were held in with actual nuts (sort of) the housing were all broken. Anyway, for installing the bumper I had someone else line the bumper up with the body at every place there was a stud and then I would tighten them up one by one.
On another note, I'm not sure if you've drilled holes in your bumper yet or not, but if I had it to do over again I do not think I would use this bumper on my car, unfortunitly I got impaitent one night and drilled the holes out for the bumper before checking the fit with the car. I know it is a replacement bumper, but even with sanding it down before painting the car, it just doesn't fit very well. Maybe you'll have better luck with it, but I didn't.
For getting to the studs, the taillight definatly need to come off as it requires reaching up behind fiberglass brakets the tail lights fasten to. Each tail light has 2 studs screwed into it, the new taillights I just installed used the little sheet metal speed nut things, the taillights I took out were held in with actual nuts (sort of) the housing were all broken. Anyway, for installing the bumper I had someone else line the bumper up with the body at every place there was a stud and then I would tighten them up one by one.
On another note, I'm not sure if you've drilled holes in your bumper yet or not, but if I had it to do over again I do not think I would use this bumper on my car, unfortunitly I got impaitent one night and drilled the holes out for the bumper before checking the fit with the car. I know it is a replacement bumper, but even with sanding it down before painting the car, it just doesn't fit very well. Maybe you'll have better luck with it, but I didn't.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
I need front AND rear bumpers on my 74. I have been reading everything I can find on the forum on the subject.
Here is what I have decided! (I think) ?
One of my co-pilots at work, also works pt at a high end body/paint shop. He says he can get me original style "OEM" urethane bumpers for the same price as the fiberglass. Thats what I have decided to do.
What do you think....I have never bought or replaced these before.
Thanks.....
Here is what I have decided! (I think) ?
One of my co-pilots at work, also works pt at a high end body/paint shop. He says he can get me original style "OEM" urethane bumpers for the same price as the fiberglass. Thats what I have decided to do.
What do you think....I have never bought or replaced these before.
Thanks.....
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Thanks for the help! As far as the AIM, I do have the assembly manual if that is what you're referring to. It has some good illustrations.
Yep, those old hammered tail/backup lights have to go. I bought a set of repros a while back once they started being produced. They look to be exact in comparison with the old ones.
Did anyone but me notice that working with the old light brackets = fiberglass splinters in fingertips and hands ?? Could be wimpy hands here but every time I have even touched those things I got splinters/shards that couldn't be removed even with the hottest water. Scrubbed my hands until were RED and still no help. Been trying to find some sort of gloves where I could still have some feeling in my fingertips to manipulate the brackets & nuts but not get the nice needles.
Thanks!
Yep, those old hammered tail/backup lights have to go. I bought a set of repros a while back once they started being produced. They look to be exact in comparison with the old ones.
Did anyone but me notice that working with the old light brackets = fiberglass splinters in fingertips and hands ?? Could be wimpy hands here but every time I have even touched those things I got splinters/shards that couldn't be removed even with the hottest water. Scrubbed my hands until were RED and still no help. Been trying to find some sort of gloves where I could still have some feeling in my fingertips to manipulate the brackets & nuts but not get the nice needles.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Fiberglass man
After making sailboats in daytona Flordia As A young kid (30 Years ago )
I can tell you there is no glove that will work but i can tell you to wash your hands in as hot of water as possible and it opens your pores? and kinda lets that glass out but not really (my Girl used to get that glass in her a-- when I made sail boats that stuff goes everwhere. Anyway back to bumpers take all the plastic under the old bumper off Those black fiberglass thingies might need to be re-moved and the new tail lights Hook directley to the new bumper, After its installed.Those black metal pieces (4 Bolts) with the rubber hooked to they will go on after the bumper is on They go up into the push blocks Ill call them so if someone hit the bumper it would have something there to absorb the shock (And I will need A Beer).After doing both front and back Cleaned the garage re-hooked the battery fired it no tail lights no turn signals when I hit the turns both lights came on (another beer ) fixed the ground on the back bumper purrrrrd like A kitten everything worked.Iwas so happy. Hope this helps some.
I can tell you there is no glove that will work but i can tell you to wash your hands in as hot of water as possible and it opens your pores? and kinda lets that glass out but not really (my Girl used to get that glass in her a-- when I made sail boats that stuff goes everwhere. Anyway back to bumpers take all the plastic under the old bumper off Those black fiberglass thingies might need to be re-moved and the new tail lights Hook directley to the new bumper, After its installed.Those black metal pieces (4 Bolts) with the rubber hooked to they will go on after the bumper is on They go up into the push blocks Ill call them so if someone hit the bumper it would have something there to absorb the shock (And I will need A Beer).After doing both front and back Cleaned the garage re-hooked the battery fired it no tail lights no turn signals when I hit the turns both lights came on (another beer ) fixed the ground on the back bumper purrrrrd like A kitten everything worked.Iwas so happy. Hope this helps some.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Originally Posted by orange74
I would like to know where to get original style urethane rear bumpers for a 74. I could not find them anywhere.
Good catch............
