My 1975 Vette have cracked front and rear bumpers. What is the best way to correct this with replacement bumpers. I see alot of recommendations for Eckler's Tru-Flex Bumpers. Should they be painted then installed? Do these need to be put on the car to check fit before paint? Last question, do I need new Tru-Flex Retainers or are the stock retainers okay? Are there any installation tips?????

Thanks!

 

Replace your existing bumper covers.

Up to you; they will need paint.

Yes. Expect them to need tweaking for a good fit. Almost none of the replacement bumper covers fit perfectly right out of the box.

Your stock retainers should work provided they are in good shape after you get the old bumper covers off the car.

You are not limited to Tru-flex; you can also use fiberglass or reproduction urethane. If you have the money to burn, you can possibly find some NOS original urethane.

 

...the one bad thing about even finding an NOS one is that since they were not packaged in a vacuum type package without air getting to it, it will have aged just like the ones on your car. I know a few people who have found NOS bumpers, installed them and in less than a year they cracked just like it was originally on the car.

...I would go either with the TrueFlex bumper or the Eckler's Flexi-Fit bumper. The 1974 Eckler's Flexi-Fit bumper I used on the rear of my '74 was perfect, was just about the only '74 rear one out there that has the correct contours for a '74 rear.

 

I used the stainless steel clips instead of the original mounting strips. Mine were rusted anyway, and the clips are way less expensive!

 

Ok pack your lunch on the front . its tuff it helps if your headlights are up and get the twist head ratchet wrench if you dont already have one.I bought a step drill to drill the holes in the new bumper keep the old bumper intact as much as possible where it hooks to the car that will give you a pattern for your holes(in the new one) I just held the little piece in front of the new bumper and drilled away I used Toledo Pro Glass they sell the set cheaper and no special paint mix.
The back is easy clean your grounds off while your there (Back)

Some of the old stuff will not be need on the new bumpers but keep it all intact the honeycomb on the front(which you dont re-use )sells for $75.00 or so.the rear plate area will need work and the metal piece behind the front tag might need grinding to go back in but take the time to do it its needed to hold the tag nuts and your 5 mile an hour bumpes on the bumper.
They come black .I never painted mine I have a silver car with black accents all over ,the hood grill the back deck grills with black bumpers it looks good (won two car shows so far with it ). thats why I call myself Vader Vette Cause of the Black. good luck and e mail me if you have any questions. The front took me all weekend because I did not want to rush the job. the back only took one evening.

 

Just research each one before you purchase.... especially the rear. When I was looking - the after market urethane did NOT have indents for the letters. I was lucky and found NOS, but I haven't seen another NOS rear since.

 

The ones for my 75 from Toeldo pro glass fit like a glove.and they have the indent for the letters.