I'm hoping someone has done that and has photos of the braces and grill mounts they made.
'77 Front Bumper Reinforcement Removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
'77 Front Bumper Reinforcement Removal
Hey all,
The front bumper reinforcement on our '77 is bent up from an accident at some point. It's keeping me from getting the bumper cover to fit correctly so I removed it so I could test fit the cover and see where I stand.
It's this part: (photo from ebay - mine is bent up)
I'm considering leaving it out, but the front grill brackets bolt to it and it does lend strength to the nose of the car and keep it from vibrating around etc as well.
Have any of you removed this piece? If so, do you have photos of the brackets you made for the grill / turn signals? Did you add any supports to the front end? Photos of those available?
I'm not much of a fabricator, and don't have access to a shop to fab much in the way of heavy steel braces etc.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Adam
The front bumper reinforcement on our '77 is bent up from an accident at some point. It's keeping me from getting the bumper cover to fit correctly so I removed it so I could test fit the cover and see where I stand.
It's this part: (photo from ebay - mine is bent up)
I'm considering leaving it out, but the front grill brackets bolt to it and it does lend strength to the nose of the car and keep it from vibrating around etc as well.
Have any of you removed this piece? If so, do you have photos of the brackets you made for the grill / turn signals? Did you add any supports to the front end? Photos of those available?
I'm not much of a fabricator, and don't have access to a shop to fab much in the way of heavy steel braces etc.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Adam
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
If you are replacing the bumper with another urethane part I would obtain a replacement core as well since it doubles as a form for the outer bumper as well as a crash pad. If you are going solid fiberglass it could be left out and simple "L" shaped brackets for the grilles fabricated and either bonded or riveted in. HTH.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
If you are replacing the bumper with another urethane part I would obtain a replacement core as well since it doubles as a form for the outer bumper as well as a crash pad. If you are going solid fiberglass it could be left out and simple "L" shaped brackets for the grilles fabricated and either bonded or riveted in. HTH.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Is there a reason to wan to remove it other than possible weight savings? It surely doesn't hurt anything and in fact helps with the things you have already mentioned. If weight is your motivation you can probably trim from it and drill holes in it to shave weight from the part.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Hi Mark,
Not really concerned with weight. Just that it's bent up just enough that it's keeping the bumper cover from fitting correctly. Replacing it would just be a waste of $$ right now becuase we're planning fiberglass covers before painting the car next winter.
What I'm trying to accomplish is making the front cover fit "decent" for the summer months. Short term situation.
Adam
Not really concerned with weight. Just that it's bent up just enough that it's keeping the bumper cover from fitting correctly. Replacing it would just be a waste of $$ right now becuase we're planning fiberglass covers before painting the car next winter.
What I'm trying to accomplish is making the front cover fit "decent" for the summer months. Short term situation.
Adam
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Hi Mark,
Not really concerned with weight. Just that it's bent up just enough that it's keeping the bumper cover from fitting correctly. Replacing it would just be a waste of $$ right now becuase we're planning fiberglass covers before painting the car next winter.
What I'm trying to accomplish is making the front cover fit "decent" for the summer months. Short term situation.
Adam
Not really concerned with weight. Just that it's bent up just enough that it's keeping the bumper cover from fitting correctly. Replacing it would just be a waste of $$ right now becuase we're planning fiberglass covers before painting the car next winter.
What I'm trying to accomplish is making the front cover fit "decent" for the summer months. Short term situation.
Adam
You kind of answered your own question. Leave it out to save money and so you can get your bumpers lined up properly. Then, build and install some of your own supports for the grills and to help stabilize everything from vibrations. When the fiberglass bumpers are installed you won't have to worry about flex distortions.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The honeycomb is a major energy absorbing material for the crash bumper. If you leave it out then take a tap on the nose, technically you will be defenseless. There won't by anything to absorb the impact.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Agreed Mike - but, if we go with a fiberglass nose like we're planning, that honeycomb stuff will be a little late to protect us from damage.
Markids - I can trim the plastic portion which will help a little, but the steel framwork is causing me the most problems. If I can't figure out a way to keep the nose solid without it, I'll just have to work with what I have.
Markids - I can trim the plastic portion which will help a little, but the steel framwork is causing me the most problems. If I can't figure out a way to keep the nose solid without it, I'll just have to work with what I have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I misunderstood because your photo shows only the plastic honeycomb. Can you post a photo or two of the actual front end? Your vacuum reservoir is part of that support structure so my hope is that we can help you straighten the steel. Some amazing repairs have been done using not much more than a BFH and a length of chain wrapped around a solid tree.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
I took everything out of the front of my car a good while back with no issues. I ended up making a new bracket to support the core support (removed the vacuum tank) and a thin pipe support that goes across the front in the nose to help support the bumper outer edges.
I bought the car without a front bumper and installed a fiberglass bumper once I got it home so I can't help with the brackets. I did remove the honeycomb from mine when I installed the new bumper.
I may still have the one I removed form my car, if I still have it you can have it if you want it. Not sure what shipping would be but we could figure it out if you want.
Neal
I bought the car without a front bumper and installed a fiberglass bumper once I got it home so I can't help with the brackets. I did remove the honeycomb from mine when I installed the new bumper.
I may still have the one I removed form my car, if I still have it you can have it if you want it. Not sure what shipping would be but we could figure it out if you want.
Neal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Hi Markids - that photo is the whole structure that is bent on mine. The honeycomb just bolts into the middle of a steel "shell". My vacuum tank etc is fine. One of the bumper braces is bent but I think I can straighten that part - it's not bad, just pushed to the outside of the car slightly.
Chevymans - I may have to go that route and try removing the honeycomb and beating the steel back into shape. I'll give that a try and go from there. Thanks for the offer!
Adam
Chevymans - I may have to go that route and try removing the honeycomb and beating the steel back into shape. I'll give that a try and go from there. Thanks for the offer!
Adam
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I think I have both parts used.... if you are interested. the steel tray, the brackes below and the honeycomb. Give Norm a call tomorrow and leave him a phone number where we can call you back at. When I arrive I'll check to make positive sure they are correct for the 77. 800-588-3883.
