I've given myself a deadline of Oct 1 to get the car running/driving. That will give me a couple of weeks to debug and wrap up some details before the 05 FFC

It will be a challenge to get it done in time, but I do have a shot at it. I try to get things done quickly but the details just always seem to take more time.... and $

I've been making some progress and will share some pics as I continue to get things done. Here's some pics of my rear bumper progress.


Started with a very low rust rear bumper.

It did have several dents that needed to be removed.

I pulled the rubber top from what was my 72 driver - now a parts car and re-assembly guide.

Cleaned the rubber top really well.

-Cleaned the dog bones really well.
-Had the dogbone inserts plated.
-Bought SS washers. I couldn't find metric fender washers. So I bought US size and had to drill out the centers so the bolts would slide through.
-Bought new bolts of the correct grade. Got them from the Caterpillar parts place in Indy -thanks for the tip Sean!

Painted the back side of the freshly re-chromed bumper. It had some discoloration in a couple of areas. I know! No one will see the back side, but it looked like it would be more succeptible to rusting Plus it looked like the factory painted the back sides of the bumpers for some reason

Installed the rubber top with SS nuts and washers.

I had to remove a broken off tow eye hook before installing the bumper. That hook had been broken off in there for 15+ years but came out amazingly easy

Installed the bumper and screwed in the tow eye hook for a look.

Cleaned up the license plate lights and installed with SS washers and screws.

I also had the tow eye hook hole plug re-plated.

Here's the final look.

Doug: Keep up the good work,thats the motivation. We all can't wait to see it Oct.21. Dave

Outstanding work! Your rear lower pan is supposed to go on before the bumper- I would do the same wanting to see how my new bumper looked.

Nicer, and nicer..

lol I was going to say the same ting boutda valance..


M

QUOTE (Doug Leggins @ Aug 19 2005, 05:42 PM)

Painted the back side of the freshly re-chromed bumper.

Okay, this is probably a dumb question and I'm overlooking the obvious. The chroming process is an electrolytic dipping process. When you get a part like the bumper chromed, why isn't the backside plated as well as the front?

BTW, your car looks great.

Do you have the plug for the tow hook hole? If not, go to the local hardware store and buy a chrome "goof plug". It will fit the hole and it's a lot cheaper and easier to find than the stock plastic POS.


BTW... Looking good.

Another question. If one were willing to have a bumper plated, would it make a difference if the bumper was originally chromed or painted? Obviously painted bumpers can be found for less than chromed bumpers. Other than the plating, was there any difference in the types?

There are no differences physically between the chrome bumper and the painted bumper. You can take a painted bumper and get it chromed, and paint a chrome bumper.

QUOTE

Your rear lower pan is supposed to go on before the bumper

My current plan is to not install a rear valance. I like the look without it installed.