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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ 75 bumpers exchange for something lighter
Posted by: John Se Mar 20 2006, 10:30 AM
what do you do with the big ugly 75 bumpers, can the earlier say 73 bolt up or do most change them out for fiberglass caps? I have heard this saves major weight? whats econmical?
Posted by: Mueller Mar 20 2006, 10:52 AM
| QUOTE |
| what do you do with the big ugly 75 bumpers |
I like them
| QUOTE |
| can the earlier say 73 bolt up or do most change them out for fiberglass caps? |
yes, '74 and older fit, there is a little bit of metal trimming and a few holes that need to be drilled, no big deal
not sure what you mean by fiberglass cap??
both original steel bumpers can be fitted or 'glass replica '74 and older can be fitted...oh, and there are '75 style 'glass bumpers as well........
| QUOTE |
| I have heard this saves major weight? |
yes, that is true, but you can also keep the rubber cover and remove the steel backing and the shocks to remove weight, but you don't like the '75 bumpers so not an option
| QUOTE |
| whats econmical? |
painted early bumpers can be had cheap, chrome cost big bucks and then the rubber top adds more value to the cost. expect to pay a couple hundered bucks per end, give or take on condition and location (not an item many people like to ship)
Posted by: Headrage Mar 20 2006, 10:53 AM
Swapping the big rubber bumpers for earlier chrome or even fiberglass is not hard at all. A little grinding, cutting, measuring and drilling is all it takes. Do a search on bumpers and you should find a few threads on the subject.
Posted by: johannes Mar 20 2006, 11:09 AM
| QUOTE |
| QUOTE what do you do with the big ugly 75 bumpers I like them |
I like them too ...
| QUOTE |
| oh, and there are '75 style 'glass bumpers as well |
? I didn't see anything like that ! Where do you find this ?
| QUOTE |
| yes, that is true, but you can also keep the rubber cover and remove the steel backing and the shocks to remove weight |
How can you do that ? I thought it was the steel backing that held the rubber ?
Posted by: Mueller Mar 20 2006, 11:20 AM
| QUOTE (johannes @ Mar 20 2006, 10:09 AM) | ||||||
I like them too ... see, I am not the only crazy person here
? I didn't see anything like that ! Where do you find this ? If I can find picture of "Julius", that car has them on it...not sure where Butch bought or possibly Brad Roberts purchased them, good chance Rich at HPH in Redwood City, CA, USA can get them....the '75/76 front bumpers are more aerodynamic and lets one take advantage of a few rules (spoiler further out and no need to cut holes for a front mounted oil-cooler
How can you do that ? I thought it was the steel backing that held the rubber ? true, but the rubber is held on by a few screws to the metal structure, I made simple alum. brackets...not very strong, I'd guess about the same as running 'glass bumpers...many new cars today use a combination alum, and styrofoam bumpers |
Posted by: Rotten Robby Mar 20 2006, 11:26 AM
Wow... I can't believe that there are two guys in the world that like the '75 bumpers. I have gone to great expense to have early bumpers rechromed and bought new factory bumper tops to get rid of mine and mine are what Martin Baker calls the nicest he has ever seen. Not that he likes them either...
Maybe I should put mine up for sale??? I just never imagined that someone other than a restoration would want them.
Rob
Posted by: TROJANMAN Mar 20 2006, 11:30 AM
| QUOTE (Rotten Robby @ Mar 20 2006, 09:26 AM) |
| Wow... I can't believe that there are two guys in the world that like the '75 bumpers. |
Big Black Bumpers Rock!
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Posted by: johannes Mar 20 2006, 11:42 AM
Makes the car look more modern ...
Posted by: Bleyseng Mar 20 2006, 01:02 PM
The new style look better but for racing they are just too heavy..
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Posted by: 914-8 Mar 20 2006, 01:09 PM
Styling is subjective (I think BBBs are hideous!), but I was at Ottos a few weeks ago moving some stuff around looking for other stuff, and had to move one of those BBSs.
I alway knew they were on the porky side, but wow!
That thing felt like it was filled with lead.
All that weight off the extreme ends of the car. I would think that replacing those with fiberglass early bumper replicas would make a noticeable difference in the way the car handles and drives, even for just street use.
Posted by: 914-8 Mar 20 2006, 01:10 PM
Styling is subjective (I think BBBs are hideous!), but I was at Ottos a few weeks ago moving some stuff around looking for other stuff, and had to move one of those BBSs.
I alway knew they were on the porky side, but wow!
That thing felt like it was filled with lead.
All that weight off the extreme ends of the car. I would think that replacing those with fiberglass early bumper replicas would make a noticeable difference in the way the car handles and drives, even for just street use.
Posted by: TROJANMAN Mar 20 2006, 01:12 PM
de ja vu 
is it groundhog day? 
Posted by: johannes Mar 20 2006, 01:40 PM
| QUOTE |
| true, but the rubber is held on by a few screws to the metal structure, |
I watched on Haynes book. They say the rubber is held with plastic rivet... I don't unsderstand how you made it with the alum. holders
Posted by: Grimstead Mar 20 2006, 01:52 PM
| QUOTE (TROJANMAN @ Mar 20 2006, 09:30 AM) |
| Big Black Bumpers Rock! |
I would also love to get rid of the steel to lose some of that weight. Maybe cast the frame in FG?
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Posted by: Mueller Mar 20 2006, 01:55 PM
| QUOTE (johannes @ Mar 20 2006, 12:40 PM) | ||
I watched on Haynes book. They say the rubber is held with plastic rivet... I don't unsderstand how you made it with the alum. holders |
Mine had the USA only(?) bumperettes (tit's) now that I think of it...those have studs which go thru the rubber cover....I used those for attaching to.....
I'm sure if you took one apart you could figure out another method for attachment......
Posted by: andys Mar 20 2006, 03:32 PM
Though I am not a fan of the big black rubber bumpers, I would think a fiberglass version painted the same color as the car *may* look quite nice. Anyone have any pic's? From my perspective, the extended front bumper helps the continuance of the hood surface forward and avoids giving the 914 that stubby look in the front. As mentioned, it sort of modernizes it a bit. I had cosidered taking a splash off my front bumper to re-create one from f'glass, though it would qucikly become a project all it's own.
Now that yellow car for example, looks nice with the black bumpers tied together with the black rockers. To each his own of course.
Andys
Posted by: Scott Schroeder Mar 20 2006, 03:47 PM
Here is one - from the factory.... "silver series" I think.
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Posted by: 914-8 Mar 20 2006, 03:49 PM
that picture of the silver car looks like a bad pre-Internet photoshop effort!
Posted by: Bleyseng Mar 20 2006, 05:47 PM
nope, its a Silver series car probably the most rare besides the 916's.
here is a after shot of my car
oh, it drives totally differently after swaping out the rubber bumpers when I AX it.
![popcorn[1].gif](http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/popcorn[1].gif)
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Posted by: jsteele22 Mar 20 2006, 06:20 PM
Although I love the classy, old-style look of those shiny chrome bumpers on other folks cars, for me it's just gotta be something less catchy that won't distract from the dents and primer....
Posted by: Bleyseng Mar 20 2006, 07:16 PM
Hell, I still have way to much primer. I am saving up for a paint job, actually its the third effin time I have been saving for a paint job. This last year all that money went into the Westy which still isn't driving.
Posted by: Jerry Mar 20 2006, 08:46 PM
[QUOTE]oh, it drives totally differently after swaping out the rubber bumpers when I AX it.
You swapped the BBB for 73-74 style bumpers??? How does it drive differently??? How was it before and how is it now???
Posted by: blitZ Mar 20 2006, 08:50 PM
I just retro'd my bumpers and the car does feel different. I'm guessing it shaved 150 pounds off the car.
Posted by: Grimstead Mar 20 2006, 10:22 PM
When I had my car stripped for paint (no bumpers) many, many moons ago, I have to say it drove like a different car as well.
My perception was not only the pick-up faster from a stop but it seemed a lot tighter in the turns.
WIth that being said, I still love the way they look on my car (It’s the jack stands that I think are the biggest problem).
Anyone have any connections that can make a cast of the metal inserts and fab some fiberglass replacements? I'm sure there are few other people that buy a set as well as myself.
Posted by: Krieger914 Mar 20 2006, 10:24 PM
Make that three for the BBBC (big black bumper crowd! Looks way more refined. Been thinking about cutting the crap out of the steel frame or building one out of aluminum though. 
Posted by: TROJANMAN Mar 20 2006, 10:58 PM
does anyone have pics of the internals for the BBB's?
Posted by: Grimstead Mar 20 2006, 11:09 PM
| QUOTE (TROJANMAN @ Mar 20 2006, 08:58 PM) |
| does anyone have pics of the internals for the BBB's? |
If no one has any handy, I have an extra front (thanks Headrage) that I can take apart and photograph this weekend.
Posted by: Jerry Mar 21 2006, 01:03 AM
| QUOTE (Bleyseng @ Mar 20 2006, 03:47 PM) |
| oh, it drives totally differently after swaping out the rubber bumpers when I AX it. |
Well...... what I really meant was how does it drive differently?? Just feel noticeably more nimble? Not as slugish?? Or what?????
Posted by: johannes Mar 21 2006, 02:26 AM
| QUOTE |
| does anyone have pics of the internals for the BBB's? |
Anyone on this forum should own the Haynes book. There are some very nice "exploded" drawings from the bumpers.
Posted by: blitZ Mar 21 2006, 06:12 AM
I have a set in perfect condition it any of the BBB lovers want them.
Posted by: Eddie Williams Mar 21 2006, 08:41 AM
I got tired of moving mine around, so I threw 'em away. It only takes about 3 moves and stubbing your leg on 'em once to make that decision.
Posted by: Vacca Rabite Mar 21 2006, 08:58 AM
I like the looks of the BBBs. More importantly I will be driving and parking my car in Baltimore on a regualr basis. Anyone that lives in the Baltimore / DC area knows what this means.
Fiberglass bumpers would last maybe a week, parallel parked on cold spring lane at work. Cars around here need real bumpers.
When I get to that point in the game, I am going to see about removing the steel from the inside of the bumper, and welding somehting together with aluminum instead. Will still be heavier then FG, but lighter then steel and will take the parking lot bumper cars.
Zach
Posted by: rhodyguy Mar 21 2006, 09:20 AM
no need to limit yourself to the 73-74' bumpers. the early "early" ones attach the same way. decide whether you want to run with the "tits" first. 73' rears have no provission for the "tits". if you buy the 73-74 and want to run them plain you will have 4 little holes to plug or run with them open. i've felt the "tits" on the front and none on the rear looks unblalanced. my 73' with a early "early" front bumper. oh, during the conversion, plan on buying fog lights and grills. it can add up quick.
k
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Posted by: Huff Mar 21 2006, 09:27 AM
I like the look of the BBB's too! I think they look more modern. There are more of us out here that like them than people realize.
I also can't believe they make that much difference in handling. Sure it is 100 to 150 lbs more, but what if you are driving with another person in the car? Performance and handling changes, so you kick them out?
Go BBB!
Huff
Posted by: Bleyseng Mar 21 2006, 10:27 AM
| QUOTE (Jerry @ Mar 20 2006, 11:03 PM) | ||
Well...... what I really meant was how does it drive differently?? Just feel noticeably more nimble? Not as slugish?? Or what????? |
The car was much quicker, turns in quicker so it is just plain more nimble. The weight of the bumper out there at the far ends of the car make it harder to fling around AXing or even street driving.
Posted by: jsteele22 Mar 21 2006, 10:30 AM
Another option besides chrome, aluminum or FG is the trusty wood 2x8. Bolts right up. Kinda gives the car that "Grapes of Wrath" vibe.
Posted by: TROJANMAN Mar 21 2006, 05:22 PM
| QUOTE (blitZ @ Mar 21 2006, 04:12 AM) |
| I have a set in perfect condition it any of the BBB lovers want them. |
does the front bumper have integrated fog lights?
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