Have a 71 GS that is stripped and not painted. I have two N25 bumpers that were replated and I want to mount them to see which one I want to keep. What are some tips to installing so I don't scratch up the bumper? Will have two others to help. Should it attaches the two main brackets to the bumper first or attach brackets to frame and then add the bumper? Appreciate any tips. thanks.
X2 Assemble the bumper as much as you can before installing it on the car. Leave the bumper bolts loose enough that there is still play but not sloppy. Then when you hold the bumper up to the car you are only concerned with lining up and installing the four bumper bracket to frame bolts. With two helpers you shouldn't have any difficulties. One on each side of the bumper and one to install the bolts. Make sure you tighten the frame bolts enough so the bumper can't move when you and your helpers let go. Be such a shame to carefully install it and then not tighten enough and still scratch the car.
Thanks fellas. I'm more concerned about scratching the newly plated bumper. I'll pull the bumper brackets back off an install on bumper before trying to mount. I'll tape up the body surfaces and the bumper edges to be safe.
Youd be hard pressed to scratch the bumper chrome is very hard,..but Ive hung them by myself,..lay on creeper place bumper on belly roll under and attach the front bolts first that will hold it then roll out slide bumper up into rough position,..it will sit on the ledge, the start other bolts and proceed adjusting it,..another fella is certainly handy tho
Yeah, scratching the bumper would be hard unless you drop it on the concrete. Scratching up the paint is the usual concern. I usually just have my wife hold it up while I attach the bolts to the frame. She is good for about 10 minutes, then she starts complaining. When I mention putting on front bumpers, she runs off and hides.
Hardest thing is to get it to line up straight to your eyes. You’ve got plenty of help that’s half the battle. Lots of tweaking. Just hope all brackets are true and not bent. The funest part of the assembly was getting the correct bolts in the right slots. My 72 was Fremont assembly. So my hardware was different tha that of the flint cars.
I was able to mount one of the bumpers today. It was the one I took off the car. Broke out my master bolt kit from Todd Miller finally to use the correct bolts. Its not quite straight still after plating. I had two N25 bumpers and a front rechromed by Tri City two or three years ago and I just now took them out of their wrappings. Well, the front I still have not looked at. I dropped these off at a fall Carlisle event and picked up in the Spring. They filled a few holes and did some straightening but they either did not see the upper portion or could not do anything about it. It has a subtle bend across the top. When mounted it always was always closer to the deck lid in the area just right of center. Don't know if it is visible in these pics. The other bumper looks perfect so will be keeping that one. IMG_4954 by azstage1 posted Jun 9, 2019 at 8:01 PM IMG_4953 by azstage1 posted Jun 9, 2019 at 8:01 PM IMG_4951 by azstage1 posted Jun 9, 2019 at 8:01 PM IMG_4950 by azstage1 posted Jun 9, 2019 at 8:01 PM IMG_4948 by azstage1 posted Jun 9, 2019 at 8:01 PM IMG_4947 by azstage1 posted Jun 9, 2019 at 8:01 PM
I agree with it’s hard to scratch a bumper. ...The bolts from frame into bumper brackets can try your patience. Do you have the original carriage head bolts or plain bolts? Flint used carriage. Replacement carriage bolts are an issue. Original carriage style had a short square section that just locked into frame and allowed brackets to rotate so you can align it. Plain carriage head square under head is too long and goes through frame into bumper bracket locking them together. This confounds many people. Don’t overlook it.
I used stock carriage bolts on the frame and the new bolts from the bolt kit for the bumper to bracket. It was easy to move around and tweak by just unsnugging the frame bolts as needed. I'll use the new bolts for the frame when I hang the bumper after the car is painted.
That bumper is way too close to the body. It looks like the rubber blocks aren't installed that go on the rear flange just below the trunk lip
Correct. they were not installed. I was just checking to see if this bumper was still a little bent or not. This was also my first time mounting a bumper.
Usually I wrap the bumper ends with some soft cloth or old sweaters, old socks or whatever & use masking tape to hold them in place to keep from scratching the paint on install.
Looks good! I have the Carriage Style Bolts in stock also if anyone is wanting that style. As mentioned both a Hex Bolt or a Carriage style bolt was used depending on where the car was built. Most people so far prefer the Bolts simply because the carriage bolts don't always hold if the slot is "stretched". I do have both though!
Since we're talking a bit about N-25 Bumpers . . . . I still have that NOS one for sale if anyone is looking for a "Never Mounted" - Concours level N-25 Bumper! It has to be one of the nicest ones in existence!?!? More info on my website > https://www.diecastmusclecars.com/dcmparts.htm
Dont the tail light buckets need to get mounted before the bumper goes on? I seem to recall I couldnt remove mine on my '72 to clean and paint without dropping the bumper. ws
