Tubes to lighten & shorten 1976 front & rear bumpers

[davidmcw]

Does anyone have dimensions to fabricate the 5 tubes used to replace the 5 shocks on a 1976 '02 bumpers? OEM shocks too heavy. Don't want the TEP's at $80. Planning on using 1-3/4" exhaust pipe. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks, David

[schwartzerritter]

did that my self

easy with drill press

measure one of the bumper shocks ? 1.75" ? If I remember

[02for2]

IIRC, I used 1 5/8 OD x .125 Wall tube 6061 aluminum. Drilled it on both ends, drilled an elongated hole at the car end to allow for some wiggle room and then flattened the car end slightly in a vice.

Cheers!

[davidmcw]

I want to move the bumpers closer to the body so

I can't use the shock dimension.

I didn't want to ruin the shocks, may want to

put then back on someday.

Any idea how much you can shorten

the OEM dimension?

[davidmcw]

IIRC, I used 1 5/8 OD x .125 Wall tube 6061 aluminum. Drilled it on both ends, drilled an elongated hole at the car end to allow for some wiggle room and then flattened the car end slightly in a vice.

Thanks, that's very helpful. Do you know

the center to center dimension of the

mounting holes?

[02for2]

Mine is pulled in about 3" in front. Cut out 6 pleats from the accordian ends. The rear cannot be drawn in as tight due to the taper on the bumper ends, still a big improvement.

I also cut the front shock covers to length to hide the new tubes - hacksaw the leading edge as it's rubber over an aluminum core.

Cheers!

[c.d.iesel]

I used TEP's front shorty tubes - just because it's fast

and done in minutes - you'll never reinstall the 2-Ton

shocks again.

The bumper ends up with barely a pinky finger tip

gap with the bottom of the center grills. MINT!.

Then you need patience triming and regluing

your accordian ends

never got around to shortening the rear.

[eurotrash]

I used 1-3/4" exhaust tubing in the front. Crushed the shocks in the back.. but I presume you could do the same back there.

[jrhone]

I used 1 3/4 exhaust tube from pep boys. Mounted the tubes to the bumper then put the bumper on and moved it to where I wanted it....then I marked the pipe with a marker through the mounting holes. That way I mounted the bumper exactly where I wanted it.

[Guest Anonymous]

tubes to lighten and shorten 76 front and rear bumper

Bill Holmes @ Bavarian Rennsport

760-789-2002[/img]

[c.d.iesel]

so I'll help David a little here

he originally asked::

"Does anyone have dimensions to fabricate

the 5 tubes used to replace the

5 shocks on a 1976 '02 bumpers"

those machined master pieces above are more

than $85! - I'm sure - and David already said that's

too much$, not an option - he just needs measurements - anyone ? ? ?

[williamdholmes]

dimensions=depends on how far ya want to go! the rear pictured is 2.5 inches in. so...the replacement is tube in the rear is 2.5 inches shorter than the stock shock. kinda depends on individual taste. the end diameters have to be the same as the stock piece. these guys are $65 buckos each.

[BDB]

jrhone,

thanks for the methodology and pipe dimensions.

I'll do this mod sometime next weekend and take pics to document. I don't like how far they stick out.

[davidmcw]

Yes, thanks to everyone who responded. I picked up 5 pieces

of 1-3/4" x 18" pipe from Advance Auto this afternoon.

I'll fabricate then dip pipe in POR-15 before installation.

Pictures to follow.

[BDB]

david,

POR15 from my experience does not stick on too well on galvanized pipe (assuming the pipe you bought is galvanized). it bonds best with rust.

if you want to make black, my recommendation would be to lightly scuff it and paint it semi-gloss black.