bumper conversion - again!

[TX82FIAT]

I suspect this will be quickly answered by some of you that have completed the conversion of the big tube bumpers to the pre-74 style bumpers available from many sources.

On my 82 the bumper shocks seem to stick out very far. I see this conversion kit and the photos show the front shiny part of the replacement bumpers not the back etched black part. The cars that I have seen pictures of that have done the conversion look nice with a nice chrome/steel bumper fairly close to the car.

Is it really as easy as buying the kit and mounting the new bumpers on the old bumper shocks? Other than the extremely high price for these awesome retro bumpers is there anything else to be aware of?

Ray

[lanciahf]

Ray to get the true look of an early bumper spider on the later spider you have to remove the shocks in the front, fill both holes in, cut out a new hole that will lower the bumper edge about an inch or more lower than the front grill. You will need a custom bracket. The brackets that the vendors sell use the pre existing holes but mount the bumper too high.

In the rear you can use the rear shocks in the stock location. The bolt holes have to be slotted and side attachments have to be made.

I'll try to find some photos and post them.

Ralph

[TX82FIAT]

Ralph, thank you! as always, photos really help. Ray

[lanciahf]

Bumper conversion using the stock holes, notice bottom of front grill.



Bumper conversion using new mounting holes with old holes filled in

[ga.spyder]

Wow...big difference

[azruss]

I bought stainless bumpers from Harrington. took me a half day each on front and rear brackets to get them fitting right. As stated, the front holes are not right and need modification. Might be able to do mods on the bracket rather than the car. It is definitely not plug and play.

[quizmaster]

Hello to the bold warriors of the bumper conversion!


I much appreciate the info in this post and would appreciate some more help if possible:

My ugly tube bumpers look like this:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1090676253 ... directlink

After having read what's posted already, I'd like to know more about:

1. I'm thinking of buying that Harrington set, brackets inclusive.
2. Is there a "no body work" way of doing this, ie by adapting the brackets rather than the shock holes? Anybody has pictures on this?
3 Looking at my Spider's front, could I risk leaving (the "no body work" option) the two holes (one for the shock, one for the turnsignal wiring?) supposing they'll be covered by the new bumpers?
4 On the nice NJ model Ralph posted, the turnsignals are actually above the bumper, which was probably how they built them in that year; mine (1978 CA) are IN the bumper now. any recommendations about how to refit the turnsignals? Buy a new kit, attch them to the Harringtons in a makeshift way?
5. I read somewhere that taking the rear shocks out, involves getting the gas tank out. is this true?
6. How do you best tackle the (pressurized) shocks anyway? How to dismantle them safely in your own garage?


Thanks a million.

Been enjoying a 300km ride through the Belgian Ardennes during the most sunny 1-2 Oct weekend !


Benoit, Hasselt, Belgium

[divace73]

Hello to the bold warriors of the bumper conversion!


I much appreciate the info in this post and would appreciate some more help if possible:

My ugly tube bumpers look like this:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1090676253 ... directlink

After having read what's posted already, I'd like to know more about:

1. I'm thinking of buying that Harrington set, brackets inclusive.
The bumpers are great the brackets I found not so, very rough and didn't quite work well. I still have them in my garage I have to make some proper brackets You'll notice on this pic the bumper is not sitting right
This is my temp soultion (which will be a long one) and how I have it now


2. Is there a "no body work" way of doing this, ie by adapting the brackets rather than the shock holes? Anybody has pictures on this?
That is what the Harrington brackets are suppose to do..

3 Looking at my Spider's front, could I risk leaving (the "no body work" option) the two holes (one for the shock, one for the turnsignal wiring?) supposing they'll be covered by the new bumpers?
Not sure what you are saying here, the hole will remain, the main shock hole will have the bracket coming out of it, the other could be your indicator??

4 On the nice NJ model Ralph posted, the turnsignals are actually above the bumper, which was probably how they built them in that year; mine (1978 CA) are IN the bumper now. any recommendations about how to refit the turnsignals? Buy a new kit, attch them to the Harringtons in a makeshift way?
All Spiders prior to 74 had the indicator and parking lights above the bumper just like the original, the harrington kit comes with a bracket for the indicatior to sit nbelow the bumpers (these brackets were the ones I found to be poor)

5. I read somewhere that taking the rear shocks out, involves getting the gas tank out. is this true?
The rear left unit (when facing the car) is the problematic one.

6. How do you best tackle the (pressurized) shocks anyway? How to dismantle them safely in your own garage?
No need to dismantle them (they will always remain pressurised), just undo the bumper which is straight forward and from the wheel arch undo all the bolts that hold on the shock.

Thanks a million.

Been enjoying a 300km ride through the Belgian Ardennes during the most sunny 1-2 Oct weekend !


Benoit, Hasselt, Belgium

[grittracing]

Just in case you want save a couple steps. I sell a filler plate for the front bumper. $40 shipped to your house. They are fiberglass come with adhesive to mount in place. All you would have to do is paint. And figure your mounts.

[quizmaster]

Dear all,


I've bought the Harrington bumper set, which looks fine.
The brackets (the ones for the front to start with) indeed look rough even shoddy.

I realize this is going to need a replacement custom part.

But before even starting to cut, bend and hammer, I'd like to receive some input as to where that bracket is actually supposed to go:
(1) right on the shock holder (the shocks were easily removed, but you can leave the holder in place) ?? or
(2) after removal of the shock holder, on the "naked" chassis beams

https://picasaweb.google.com/1090676253 ... onBrackets#

See pics one-two for (1); three four for (2)

As always, much appreciated, and thanking Dave from Sydney for the insight so far.


Benoit, Hasselt BELGIUM

[burgandy81]

Hi Benoit,

Please re-post the photo link as it appears to be broken.

I am very interested in this as I hope to complete the same project this year.

At this time I am planning to attach to the frame rail.

Cheers,

Jordan

[azruss]

Here is what i had to do to make the harrington bumpers work. lots and lots of time to get the fit right. it is NOT a simple bolt on. As you can see from the pix,i actually cut the brackets fitted them on the car for fit and then welded them in the proper place. On my 80, i had to modify the front holes to get the brackets thru and to get it to hang at the right height. (3/4" below grill opening).
The rear bumper bracket requires drilling one new hole on each side. I was able to drill from the outside so i didnt have to remove the gas tank.
The car i'm working with has horrible fit.dont know if it is east european craftsmanship or the car was trashed and the lock high school autobody shop put it back together. They will look great when mounted....but, man, a lot of work.

[quizmaster]

Thanks a million to Azruss.
I seem to have stumbled over exactly the same shortcomings of Harrington brackets as you did.
Only I haven't come around to solving them yet.
I'll crank up the expertise one notch (avoiding local high school's body shop haha) and will revert when the job is done...

Nice to share some frustration over bad craftsmanship though !


Regards

Benoit

[weekend warrior]

I bought the harringtons kit also, took me 3 weekends to fit properly. Every bracket and tab had to be altered!!
On the front main bracket i added an extra piece to pick up the third bolt hole, alot of work but looks so much better than original.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61432614@N03/sets/

[Fi8spider]

took me 3 weekends to fit properly

Well you wouldn't be the weekend warrior if it took you 6 weekDAYS would you now..
Lovely car you have there WW.

Blade bumper conversion is one of the best things I ever did on mine.