| Author | Message | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 443 Registered: 12-2001 |
Thats as far back as mine went as well. The bumper studs touched the rad support and stopped it. Looks nice Mike! | ||
| Mike 308 (Concorde)
New member Username: Concorde Post Number: 15 Registered: 8-2002 |
Here's a picture. It probably could have been pushed in further according to reports (to get rid of ALL the black behind the parking lights), but this seemed "enough" and still leaves me "comfortable" that I've got enough inches in front of the bodywork for minor mishaps. Definitely noticeable improvement. I also noticed that my car cover fits differently now!  | ||
| Mike 308 (Concorde)
New member Username: Concorde Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2002 |
I did it on my 308/QV. 15 minutes, all I used was a 3/32 drill and a rubber mallet. Didn't even have to take off the grill, though I did take out the parking/turnsignal bulbs while I was using the mallet so the vibration didn't break the elements. Looks MUCH better. I like the "euro look" in the front. I still like the larger US look in the back and think that makes a good combo, as well as a reasonably practical one. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
New member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 35 Registered: 8-2002 |
David: I'd like to do the mod, but also don't want to destroy the original gas bumper shocks (in case I decide to do concours again)... if you'd be able to give more detail about what's involved in fab'ing the brackets (do you have to do welding?) that would be helpful. Feel free to email me offlist ([email protected]) | ||
| David Lewis (Davidlewis)
New member Username: Davidlewis Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2002 |
In the process of upgrading the inefficient Lucas fans to Hayden fans (see "Hayden Fan" thread), I had removed the grill, bumper & shocks. Bumper removal is pretty easy (6 nuts). Got to thinking about that ugly protruding bumper and ended up fab'ing a pair of new brackets, but almost 2 inches shorter. Used 2 inch pipe with end plates. It all fit great and looks great. Saved the stock shocks (and Lucas fans) for some purist who may want them some day. Cost was only about $10 for the brackets and it was all well worth the effort! The Hayden fans also work great here in the So. Cal. heat. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 365 Registered: 12-2001 |
I forgot, I didnt take out the grille. I drilled the holes close to the mount plate at the bumper and persuaded into place. I did relocate my air horns previously installed by the PO. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 364 Registered: 12-2001 |
I would take pic but I dont have a digital camera. It looks good and I have no regrets. Im sure if I was selling it, the next buyer would like it too. Ive had people say to me in the past that they like the car but why would they put a big bumper like that on the front and spoil it. Do it. I moved mine in until the bumper mount studs touched the inner structure of the car. Its no worse than a flimsy fibre glass one. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 459 Registered: 5-2002 |
You guys are talking me into it. I would love a good pic showing how far in it went. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 363 Registered: 12-2001 |
I did the mod this afternoon and took all of 15 minutes. The rear edge of the signal lamps are flush with the body now. Not quite euro but close enough for me. After drilling a hole, a rubber mallet did the trick and I cant see them even needing to be pinned in place. I would have to jack it back out to reverse the change. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 455 Registered: 5-2002 |
Frank. Are yours drilled in. I wouldnt trust it without screws to hold them in place.If they didnt move and they are not drilled in that is remarkable. Anybody going to post a pic of this mod. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 360 Registered: 12-2001 |
Thanks Terry. I really didn want to pull the shocks, they look like a B..ch. Paul. | ||
| Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Junior Member Username: Tspringer Post Number: 242 Registered: 4-2002 |
I removed the front grill. Then drilled the shocks as far forward as I could get the drill, close to where they mounted to the bumper itself. They let out a hissing sound when drilled through. I then tried to push in the bumper. It would not go. I then gave it some gentle prodding with a rubber mattot. Nada. I then whacked it pretty good with the rubber mattot... bingo. Whacked each side to move it in as far as it would go. The turn signal indicator lights are now just about flush with the body. Looks great. I then drilled a fresh hole in the inner shock through the out shock hole and installed a sheet metal screw. Reinstall the grill. total time about 30 minutes. simple as pie. Just do it, the improvment in looks really is great, much more true to the original design of these cars. | ||
| Frank Foster (Sparta49)
Junior Member Username: Sparta49 Post Number: 68 Registered: 3-2001 |
Bruno, mine hasn't moved without the screws to hold it in place after drilling, I guess it is a miracle considering the condition of the streets in New Orleans | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 355 Registered: 12-2001 |
Ooooops, give me a minute to get my foot outta my mouth.............how did you guys compress your shocks? Did you remove them or do it on car. I want to do this but didnt feel like pulling the shocks out. | ||
| Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Junior Member Username: Tspringer Post Number: 240 Registered: 4-2002 |
I drilled my bumper shocks this morning on the front and compressed it all the way before putting a screw in to hold it. Looks tons better. I really hated the protruding US bumper, from a looks perspective this is such a simple and great mod. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 449 Registered: 5-2002 |
With nothing to hold it in. Watch out for potholes. | ||
| Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
New member Username: Euro308guy Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2002 |
How about a pic? | ||
| Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2002 |
They are Gas. I could not get the bumper to pop out so I "compressed" the other shock and now I have the Euro look. It looks better I think now. Right on the shock it says in Italian, Compressed Gas Shock. | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1866 Registered: 2-2001 |
All bumper absorbers that I have ever dealt with used a compressed gas similar to the engine strut lid struts. We used to have to dispose of them properly in the body shop at the Chevy Dealership by drilling a hole and allowing the gas to escape. There have been posts here about collapsing the absorbers to make the bumper look like Euro bumpers by drilling the cylinders. Someone correct me if I am wrong. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 354 Registered: 12-2001 |
Last I heard, bumper shocks had springs in them not gas. They stick because they rarely move and dont function like new. Use a jack and out it will come, It may even 'pop' back to the original position once you put some pressure on it. | ||
| Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thank you for the information. I will try a jack. | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1855 Registered: 2-2001 |
The shock should have rebounded on it's own but evidently the gas has leaked out over time. You can grab the bumper and pull it out but if it is in a bind you may need to jack it back out. Either way the absorber is shot. | ||
| Matthew Lemus (Mlemus)
New member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2002 |
I had a slight mishap in the garage and I hit the front bumper and compressed the bumper shock. This there a way to pull it out without replacing the bumper? |