Replacing nose panel 1976 ‘02

[Geep]

So I found a ‘new’ (replica) nose panel to replace my busted nose. It does not have the big square cutouts for the (US?) bumper. Can I just ‘delete’ these brackets or is there anything I should be aware of before cutting them out? Not looking to a bumper back, I dont have one anyway…

[Mike Self]

Those bumper reinforcements on your '76 were for US cars only, to support the 5 mph bumpers that were mandated by Federal safety laws.  I don't recall 'em protruding from the nose panel, but if they do on your replacement Euro panel, you won't structurally affect the car by cutting them back to accommodate the new nose.  You just won't be able to remount the OEM 5 mph bumpers, which you don't want anyway...

 

mike

[TobyB]

+1- they were purely an add- on.  Me, I'd remove every

vestige of them, so if you add an earlier bumper later (heh)

it'll be bolt- on.  

 

You'll need a roundie battery tray if you plan to leave the battery in front.

 

t

 

[Mike Nance]

I just finished the nose replacement. I used the MVP 73-76 nose panel. Feel free to cut away. 

[Son of Marty]

It's way easier to cut them out with the nose  off so now's the time to make sparks😎.

[lunarkingdom]

Make sure you drill out those 2 welded up holes on the lower frame rail they are to mount the bumper brackets on 73 and below bumpers. When they put those two boat anchors on top they welded up the holes for the previous bumpers.