Hi guys, I been around Corvettes for over 35 years. I've owned my 74 for 30 years and dreaded the day would come for new bumper covers. Well, 4 years ago they started cracking. I just bought a TruFlex rear bumper, it should be here in a week.

I know how to twist wrenches and I guess my question is. Do these bumper covers fit nice? Any tricks on getting them to fit nice? I think one would be don't over tighten the fasteners as that might cause dips and lumps on the outside in time, is this maybe a correct thought? I've sprayed the fasteners with PB Blaster about 3 or 4 times in the past few months, so hopefully the studs won't break.

So again, any tips or tricks I should know about before changing the rear cover? I've done it all to my Corvettes, but don't have any experience in these bumper covers.

It's amazing how these original covers literaly fall apart right before your eyes. Oh, I already know the paint won't match as my car has lacquer, that will be another bridge to cross when that time comes.

 

Yes I can help you but it would take me to long to type it so PLEASE call me and I can tell you an easy way to "get them right". It will take some time but is well worth it depending on how well they fit out of the box.
"DUB"
(704) 394-5150 EST

 

If you have owned your 74 for 30 years and know the history maybe your covers will fit good. I used the truflex covers on my 77 and it had evidently been wrecked sometime in its life and I had to work hard to make it fit. The covers do look better than the factory covers. I bought all new attaching straps for both covers. On my front cover I had to modify the bumper honeycombing to fit inside the new cover. On the back cover you will not use the I guess I would call them them the tail lite mounts that are inside the old cover. Also on the front cover I found it easier to remove the honeycomb metal bumper supports. Other the having nimble fingers you should not have any problem with them

 

We have two help pages on our site on this. One is from us and one is from the manufacturer. Both may give you some insight.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=117

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=139

As a person that has installed these in the past I can honestly say they can be a challenge.

You do not need the inner retainers like the ones used from the factory. On the flexy covers and fiberglass covers you should use the special retainers. They are way cheaper and make the installation of the bumper easier. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...er-covers.html

The cars are not all the same wrecked or not. Some factory covers will be short on the drivers side some will be short on the passenger side and some will fit pretty close. On one very low mileage car in our shop right now there is a 5/8” short fall on the passenger side of the bumper cover. This bumper fits great on the driver side and horrible on the other. This car has never been wrecked and has been climate control stored since it was new.

The bumperette braces on the front and the honey comb should be removed when you install this in the car. You can cut down the honeycomb to fit the cover but it is not really going to hurt you if you remove it.

The good news is that with patience you’ll be able to get this on the car and fitting better than the original urethane covers.

Willcox Inc.

 

Thanks to you all for your input here. I don't think it'll be too bad getting it on, others have done it. Some look good and some don't. Patience I know will be my best tool, so no coffee the day I put it on.LOL

The TruFlex came yesterday. I broke out the center of the old original bumper cover just to inspect the retainers and what not.

We'll put this on when my son's 77 gets out of the garage and my 74 back in some time in September or later. (His 77 and my 85 sit under a big carport). Anyway, the GM retainers are in fine shape, if I have to make new and smaller retainers that's not a problem. The TruFlex instructions say to keep the 74's tailight buckets and they give a few more tips in the instructions. I know it will be tedious to get it lined up properly, but I been in worse places with my Corvette's.

On my son's 77 it has a replacement bumper cover. It has lumps and bumps along the top along the width of the cover. I think we now know why. Whoever put this cover on didn't take the different tailight buckets out and mount the tailights to the cover as the instructions say. This doesn't apply to my 74. So, when the day comes to put it on I / we will take our time and get it on right. I hope it doesn't turn into a pain in the rump roast.

Again thanks guys for the input, I did learn more with what you all said. I'll give you guys a call or a holler if we run into problems. I'm a do it yourselfer, electrical, plumbing, wood working and cars so...... Hopefully this won't turn into a nightmare. Hahahaha, I've had the feeling for years though it's going to be.