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Shortened Bumpers on a '76... anyone try this?


02for2

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I want to shorten the bumpers on my '76. I've read of those drilling the impact shocks to empty the oil and compress them.

But, because the car is so original, I do not want to do anything which is not 100% reversable. Since the bumper shocks are now NLA, I cannot see destroying them to achieve the look I want. I have already sourced a set of rubber bumper ends to modify, keeping the original ones intact.

I came across this short bumper kit from Racetep. Has anyone used this kit? If so, what are you impressions - was it easy to install? Is it reversable?

Any help is much appreciated. TIA

Cheers!

1976 BMW 2002

1990 BMW 325is (newest addition)

1990 Porsche 964 C4 Cabriolet

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Since so many big bumpers are removed from these cars I would think you could probably buy a set of used bumper shocks and stash them in your garage in case you want to go back out with the bumpers in the future. Seems like the cheapest / most convenient contingency plan to me.

Budweiser...It's not just for breakfast anymore.

Avatar photo courtesy K. Kreeger, my2002tii.com ©

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$80 bucks for 2 tubes with holes in em! Thats crazy! I would love to do that to my big bumper car but I'll make em so that I can afford them!

-Nathan
'76 2002 in Malaga (110k Original, 2nd Owner, sat for 20 years and now a toy)
'86 Chevy K20 (6.2 Turbo Diesel build) & '46 Chevy 2 Ton Dump Truck
'74 Suzuki TS185, '68 BSA A65 Lightning (garage find), '74 BMW R90S US Spec #2

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$80 bucks for 2 tubes with holes in em! Thats crazy! I would love to do that to my big bumper car but I'll make em so that I can afford them!

+1 on the $80

You can find the shocks for $20 each + shipping if you look in the right places. I think I have an extra set, let me know if you are interested.

Arden

http://ardens-2002tii.blogspot.com/

71 2002, tii, Schwarz

72 2002 tii, Polaris

76 Trans Am, Sterling Silver

96 Volvo 850, Daily Beater

Parts Cars: 73 2002 Malaga, 74 2002 tii Granatrot & 76 2002 Verona

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Since so many big bumpers are removed from these cars I would think you could probably buy a set of used bumper shocks and stash them in your garage in case you want to go back out with the bumpers in the future. Seems like the cheapest / most convenient contingency plan to me.

that's for sure. I bought a spare set of big bumpers with the shocks and accordions attached for $30, 3 years ago. Lots of big bumpers out there.

I'd drill the holes if I wanted to shorten. (which i don't yet)

1976 2002 Custom Dk Blue w/ Pearl

1975 2002A Sahara (sold Feb 2008)

SiteNamecopy.jpg

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I'll sell you my shortened shocks/accordions, very very soon. -- a`hem, ARDEN ;) Make your life reeeeal easy. I am converting to chromolicism here, in the next few weeks.

f8bd7119.jpg

eurotrash,

I love those wheels. Can you tell me more about them, what they're called and where I can get some. Thanks

1970 BMW 2002

1977 BMW R75/7

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Oh, yeah, I bought the Racetep kit - waste of $$. The kit consists of two steel pipes painted black with the proper holes and two metal covers to hide the pipes. I found the pipes didn't fit very well and the covers weren't really needed as you can re-use the original rubber covers. I ended up drilling the shocks front and back - worked great. I believe the advice given above is good: go ahead and do the drilling (though do take care to protect your face from the spray) and pick up an extra pair of shocks and accordians cheap that you can use to return to stock. To me the shortened bumpers look better than stock while retaining that stock look, plus, I don't clip my garage doors anymore!

1976 2002 Inka

2008 M5 Sapphire Black Metallic, 6-speed

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eurotrash,

I love those wheels. Can you tell me more about them, what they're called and where I can get some. Thanks

Rota RB's. I bought them in a 'group buy', here, last spring. You can

find them on eBay now. Others may chime in as to a shop to buy from. In the group buy we got center caps and BMW logos, so that was nice.

02for2, after sleeping on it, I am serious about selling my compressed shocks, rear filler and accordions as a bolt on kit. Email me for more info..

2002 newbie, and dead serious about it.
(O=o00o=O)
Smart Audio Products for your 2002

 

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Rota RB's. I bought them in a 'group buy', here, last spring. You can

find them on eBay now. Others may chime in as to a shop to buy from. In the group buy we got center caps and BMW logos, so that was nice.

.

One more question, what size are the wheels on your car? Are those the 13 or 15's? Thanks

1970 BMW 2002

1977 BMW R75/7

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