I finally pushed the bumper in...looks GREAT! Pics+

Spent about 3 hours doing it. Since I had a good view of some inside parts of the car, cleaned it up a little, and I noticed that the car (as I suspected) is absolutely rust free. After one year of ownership and a fair amount of driving, I still can't find any rust in this car, whether underbody, frame, etc. Im happy.
The front bumper went in at least 1 1/2" if not more. here are some pics.
The last pic shows the Biemmer and the Magna.
The first pic is the before and includes some Key rings and Models I found during a trip to Brazil, being sold by Shell gas stations.
Cheers.
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Nice work on that bumper, Claudio. I'll bet that the very next ride, post push in, was exceedingly pleasant

Cheers, Hank

 

What's with the wrenching? Is that how you moved the bumper?

I thought you just drilled the bumper shocks and then hammered it in...??

 

Looks much better, and you don't have to spend $700+ on a Euro bumper. Does the same method work for the rear bumper?

 

It took me about 3 hrs to do the whole replacement with the kit from McCarbon. Cleaned up the grill, washed the headligth covers, etc. I used a nice hydraulic jack, to help support the bumber during removal and re-installation. All alone, with Led Zepellin on the stereo. Nice....
Rear bumper? Don't know yet... next w.e.
Cheers.

 

Nothing like some old classic Zep for external energy while working on an old classic 308

 

Looks great, I'm going to do the front on mine. Did you drill the shocks? Isn't there fluid under pressure in those? Anything to look out for, or just drill and they'll push in? I already have the car apart. Thanks for any info.
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Drill & push worked for me. The oil is not under pressure. This is a 1/2 hour job per bumper, tops. After you push in the shocks, re drill & screw in new bolts to lock every thing in place.

 

Changed thread title from:

I finally pushed the bumper in...looks good! Pics+

to:

I finally pushed the bumper in...looks GREAT! Pics+

 

Removed the OAM bumper shocks. replaced with custom shorter pieces. did not drill. shocks wrapped in plastic for future use (if any).

 

I just did the front bumper last night with the MAcarbon bumper reducer. I think it made a fantastic difference and am very happy with the look and product. Here is a bump for MAcarbon: http://www.macarbon.com/store/308328-87/

I'll try to take some pics this weekend.

 

Claudio your bumper looks great, I did the same thing with MAcarbon
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Anyone have pics of the McCarbon bracketry before they're mounted on the car? OE brackets compared to the new brackets would be great to see.

 

I skipped that step... and in the 5 years or more since I drilled and pushed the front bumper in, it's never 'tried' to come back out on its own.

 

There's no bracket, it's a one piece bumper tube (no more shock) that's made of a high quality aluminum and powder coated.
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Get yourself a set of euro lenses up front there too to complete the look.

 

I did
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sweet!

 

Did mine right a long time ago with shorter struts. Cheap and quick way to go as long as you don't care about the weight of the US bumper. Also ,,,,, Don't hit anything. There will be more damage without the shock struts.
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But not as much as hitting something with euro fiberglass 'bumpers' which don't do much more than hold the turn signals!

 

Yeah, isn't anyone concerned about increasing the damage to the nose panel/bumper with the shocks not working? The physics are quite basic - the shocks allow the impact to be spread across a longer period of time thus reducing the peak impact force. This can make a pretty big difference in the amount of damage sustained by the note panel. Nose panels are pricey!

 

Some good points there, Cliff. The OP probably does not parallel park his car, and avoids situations that might cause a "nose-tap". Removing the bumper shocks does make a hard connection between the bumper and the frame supporting members. And with less bumper you are closer to a damaged nose panel. Is it worth the added risk? It would be for me and the OP; but maybe not for you.
And a Q if you please: any quality websites / other sources for F-cars for sale in the SeaTac area?

 

Thanks Claudio and Mike for posting up the pics.
We've been debating most of these bumper points for years! Some drill, others use our tubes. I made the tubes so I could keep the old struts so I wouldn't have to answer the 'originality' question if I ever sold the car. They also look better since they are a nice glossy black rather than rusted old metal. And they save a few pounds.

As for damage in an accident, I think the conclusion has been that if you hit anything with your 308, the 30 year old shocks are unlikely to offer much protection. I did have one customer who returned the tubes after reading in our instructions that damage to the car may occur if he has an accident!

Knock on wood, but of the dozens of sets we've sold, I have never had anybody contact me to say they hit something. Shoooot, I just jinxed a bunch of people's Saturday drive!

But personally, I just love the look of the pushed in bumper. So however you do it, push them in!

 

looks fantastic

 

You are right about that.