Fix or replace '81 front frame extension
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
Fix or replace '81 front frame extension
As those with the 80-82's can attest, the front bumper is held on with a frame extension piece that previous owners have a abit of running in to curbs and bending.
Mine is bent back right in the middle and will have to be repaired before I can get a new front bumper. I read about one guy that used a porta power to straighten the bent portion back out, but I'm not sure if it would be worth it in my case, since the small lower part where the front air dam bolts up to the frame extension is pretty mangled, which would make getting the bumper to line up just right pretty difficult.
I have seen the frame extension sold in places, so I could get a replacement, or maybe get lucky and find one being parted out, but this is still something of a question mark in my mind as to how I am going to handle this particular repair.
Any thoughts?
Mine is bent back right in the middle and will have to be repaired before I can get a new front bumper. I read about one guy that used a porta power to straighten the bent portion back out, but I'm not sure if it would be worth it in my case, since the small lower part where the front air dam bolts up to the frame extension is pretty mangled, which would make getting the bumper to line up just right pretty difficult.
I have seen the frame extension sold in places, so I could get a replacement, or maybe get lucky and find one being parted out, but this is still something of a question mark in my mind as to how I am going to handle this particular repair.
Any thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I don't think the bumper attaches to the extension at all. The extension bolts to the frame and mainly serves as a holder for the vacuum can doesn't it? The radiator support bolts to the frame with its own bolts too.
I could be wrong but that is how my memory recalls it without looking. I guess what I am saying is that as long as you can get the thing pretty close you may as well use the one you have.
I could be wrong but that is how my memory recalls it without looking. I guess what I am saying is that as long as you can get the thing pretty close you may as well use the one you have.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
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From: coffee
There is a spot in the center of the lower air dam that attaches to the frame extension. I may be remembering wrong, and it could just be the air deflector, but there is definitely something attached to a bracket that is on the center lower part of the extension.
I have tried to see if I could tweak it back a bit with a crow bar, to no avail. The gnarliest looking portion would probably clean up ok with a grinder and some paint, provided I can get it somewhat straight.
I'm just thinking a few steps down the project road, when I get down to it, I'll post up pics, and I'm sure someone here will know how best to approach it.
I have tried to see if I could tweak it back a bit with a crow bar, to no avail. The gnarliest looking portion would probably clean up ok with a grinder and some paint, provided I can get it somewhat straight.
I'm just thinking a few steps down the project road, when I get down to it, I'll post up pics, and I'm sure someone here will know how best to approach it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
You are probably right. I have a rigged bracket for the center of my air dam so I can't say exactly where it should attach, but the bumper(cover) itself does not attatch to the extension.
Do you have the bumper cover off the car?
Do you have the bumper cover off the car?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Might be easier and quicker to replace it. If it isn't bent too very badly, you might check with auto body shops to see whether any of the pros think it's worth trying to straighten.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
The bumper cover is still on the car. I have seen a few places that sell replacements, but I may see what kind of deal that I could get on a used one, if I could find it.
It will be a while until I get to fixing this particular issue, but it always helps me to think through what I am going to do for a while before I launch off in to whatever it is I am going to do.
Thanks.
It will be a while until I get to fixing this particular issue, but it always helps me to think through what I am going to do for a while before I launch off in to whatever it is I am going to do.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
ASsuming this is what we are talking about, it holds up the nose of the car, two lower bolts for the rad support, the turn signals and grill, and the honeycomb support for the bumper.
If bent, I would either get it straightened on the money or replace it. There are used ones available. I would try Paragon, Contemporary Corvette, or another junk yard / vendor or from someone with a parts car.
If bent, I would either get it straightened on the money or replace it. There are used ones available. I would try Paragon, Contemporary Corvette, or another junk yard / vendor or from someone with a parts car.
