rear bumper cover change
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 10
rear bumper cover change
I guess this won't be popular, but will the older rear bumper covers fit an 81? I am looking at the 74 model year one without the bumperetts.
Also, according to Ecklers, then sell mostly the fiberglass unit. I understand it will need some minor filling, etc., but since my paint is perfect, I don't want to mess with the body.....can I fit fiberglass properly without work to the rear quarter panels? OR, should I order the urethane? I have already removed and refitted my existing with no damage to anything.
Thanks!!
Also, according to Ecklers, then sell mostly the fiberglass unit. I understand it will need some minor filling, etc., but since my paint is perfect, I don't want to mess with the body.....can I fit fiberglass properly without work to the rear quarter panels? OR, should I order the urethane? I have already removed and refitted my existing with no damage to anything.
Thanks!!
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Manchester NH
Interesting idea, most go the other way putting later rear bumper on earlier cars. Anyhow, do a search for fiberglass/urethane bumper posts (be sure to include archives) and you will get all the info you need as to the pros and cons of each.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 10
I will take pics. The reason is: I just don't care for the spoiler. The look without is cleaner. Also, I like the front end of the 79 - 82 , so I hope it works. Ecklers says it will work. I forgot to ask about the tailights, but I think my parts catalogs should have enough info to make that determination. Regards of the model year swap, can anyone comment on the fit up for fiberglas VS urethane? Obviously, you can manipulate the soft material to fit but not so much with the glass. Any comments would be great.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
There are steel stiffners behind the bumperettes that are bolted to the bumper beam.. these would have to be removed of course before the new cover would fit.
There may be some other minor differences but I'm unsure of anything else. I suppose its possible the taillights might be in a very slightly different location than the earlier cars and this would mean the mounts that the tailights attach to would be different. The tailights actually dont install to the cover but to brackets attached to the bumper beam. if you get a fiberglass cover then the mounts dont matter as the fiberglass is strong enough to hold the tailights as opposed to the vinyl
I also dislike the bumperettes on our cars, but I went with a ZR-1 looking tailcone instead.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
There may be some other minor differences but I'm unsure of anything else. I suppose its possible the taillights might be in a very slightly different location than the earlier cars and this would mean the mounts that the tailights attach to would be different. The tailights actually dont install to the cover but to brackets attached to the bumper beam. if you get a fiberglass cover then the mounts dont matter as the fiberglass is strong enough to hold the tailights as opposed to the vinyl
I also dislike the bumperettes on our cars, but I went with a ZR-1 looking tailcone instead.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 46
From: winter haven florida
St. Jude Donor '12
i ordered a 74 fiberglass bumper for my 75 from ecklers and the fit is very very good. i did have to take off some parts from the under side where the bumperettes were on the 75. i also shaved off a little of rubber near the tag mount in the center. once that stuff was removed it fit very well. it looks much better with out the bumperettes also.
