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The first step is to assemble the bumpers. The instructions are pretty thin so I experimented with the hardware. The longer extensions go to the front bumpers and the shorter to the rear bumpers. Also, the front bumpers have the attach plate welded to the inside at an angle, where the rear bumper plate is more upright. Once all that was sorted out, I trimmed the threaded rod. The picture above shows a nut on the extension side. After I installed them I found that you could see this nut so I decided to install the extensions without this nut. The nut and lock washer on the backside should hold the threaded rod from unscrewing.
Where the holes are drilled in the body is critical to having the bumpers vertical and even on both sides. The last thing you want is the bumpers leaning to one side. I measured the grommets and used some cardboard to make a trim outline. Using my laser level, I established the proper vertical plane. I did this after leveling the front of the body using the parking lights and radiator opening as guides. I then drew the outline of the cutout on the body.
Using a Dremel and a 1" hole saw, I created the openings. Notice that they do not follow exactly the outlines in the body. I also used the laser level to level the openings side-to-side so they were the same for both bumpers. I then inserted the grommets and the extensions, and began measuring up the location of the attach plates.
The critical measurement is to ensure that the extension rods are level with the body, and that they are aligned with the centerline of the body. I then marked the location of the bolt holes and drilled up the attach plate. I also decided to mount my new horns to the top of these plates as it seemed as good a place as any. After tapping the ends of the frame, I bolted everything together.
Once I had the bumper mounted, I thought that it stuck out too far from the body. I took everything apart one more time and cut a total of an inch off the length of each. This also required me to shorten up the threaded inserts a second time as well. This is what it looks like re-installed.
Here is a final picture of the mountings.
The new cowl bar doesn't look anything like the one in the instructions so again, I had to wing it. I decided to drill out enough room to weld in nuts to the sleeve in two places. On the right you can see the nut prior to welding. I also drilled the holes in each cowl bar half large enough so the bolt will pass through one side and wedge up against the other side. Prior to doing all this, I placed the cowl bars inside the car and marked the location where they intersected at the top and I trimmed one of the bars off so the ends touch inside the sleeve.
Here is the sleeve with the nuts welded in and the surface ground smooth.
This is what it will look like installed in the car. The bolt screws down to press the inside tube against the sleeve and the nut on the bolt then tightens down to the sleeve to keep the bolt from backing out. The next step is to mount the doors. That work starts on the next page. |
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