Front Bumper Removal


There are (4) 13 mm bolts that hold each bumper and one electrical connector to the lights. The bolt heads face forward and the nuts are on the back side of the frame. The nuts also have tabs welded to them so they will not rotate, i.e. you only need to turn the bolt head (this makes life a lot easier since you need only get in there with one tool).

Undo the electrical connectors so you won't forget later.

Use a 13 mm socket wrench to get at the bolt heads. Two of the bolts are easy to get at and you can easily see them with the hood open. Go ahead and do those first, so you'll feel like you are making progress Another one is a little tougher, but doable. Remove this one next, so you'll have the mistaken impression that you are 3/4 done. The fourth bolt is wedged behind the aluminum frame for the bumpers and a real pain in the *. I found it easiest to remove the first three and then you can rotate the bumper slightly for better access. I also used a 1/4" drive ratchet, because it was smaller and easier to rotate (actually I used a 1/4" drive air ratchet, but hand tools should work). You may have to break the bolts loose with a combination wrench or 3/8" drive to get enough leverage.

It took me about 45 minutes to get one side off and then 5 minutes for the other. Most of the time was jockeying around, selecting the right tools, and hurling obscenities over that 4th bolt.

Note: Picked up a couple of craftsman wrenches (13mm) for this job. Will come in handy for lots of other tasks, so definintely worth the cost

The last bolt is the hardest to remove

Bumper removed

Craftsman wrench (13mm). Part numbers are 43368 (offset), 42173 (straight

Craftsman wrench (13mm). Part numbers are 43368 (offset), 42173 (straight

After removing the bumpers, we needed to decide how to cover the openings. After looking at several different options, Norm decided on a design of his own and set out to make some covers for the openings. He used materials that were laying around the garage and the covers came out pretty good.

Bumpers removed

Opening where bumpers used to be.

Norm cutting out a cover

Making sure it fits

Covers and brackets

Bracket in place

Covers installed and secured

Almost done.



Now that the bumpers, which held the turn signal lights have been removed, Norm needed to design some brackets to hold the lights behind the grille. Simple and inexpensive, but should do the job.

Turn signals installed

Finished!




Update: We have since replaced our homemade covers with Real Rod Aero Front Covers and have made a new bracket for the lights (12/15/02)


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