Front Bumper Questions

[IndyCobra]

After losing most of my patience trying to install the new cowl bar, I thought I'd move on to something a little more mundane like the front bumpers. I should learn.

I'm using the bumperettes and it sure looks like the extensions need to be cut shorter. Also the plate that bolts to the front of the frame will require me to remove a big chunk of the front fender well too. Is that what others have done? It's hard to find good pictures of the front profile with the bumperettes installed but I can't see leaving them sticking way out the way they are now. They don't look right and I figure if I have them sticking out enough to cover the top of the radiator opening, that's far enough. Any reason I can't weld the plate to the front of the frame rather than bolt it on? I assume there is some clearance problem. Once again, the "instructions" don't really say much in this regard.

Regarding the new cowl bar, intalling it requires five sets of hands, all sticking out of the back of your head. This old man can't lay upside, twisted like a pretzel, anymore.

[NC Cobra]

I notched my front fender wells. I seem to recall shortening the bumpers a little bit as well. Like you said, it just doesn't look right. When it finally comes time to shove the steel tubing thru the grommets for the all the bumpers, prepare yourself for another headache. It's a tight fit all the way around. I used lots of Windex for lubrication.

As you're building the car, just remember, "NOTHING is simple." And when your done, just remember, "It was all worth it!"

[Lakeway Cobra]

Cut out the front of the fenderwell. Should be pictures on the CD you have from me.

Shorten the rods. Note that left side and right side may need to be cut to different lengths due to variances in the body.

I seem to remember there was a reason not to weld the plates on but can't for the life of me remember why.

[Barnsnake]

The front mounting plates were done as a bolt-on to allow clearance for the body installation. Since you generally need to cut the inner fender wells to clear them anyway, that seems to eliminate the original problem.

Since the body-to-frame fit may be a bit different from car-to-car, the bumper extensions are overly long. Cut them as needed. Mine needed the rears cut a bunch, the fronts very little. Your milage may vary.

Meguiars Rubber and Vinyl Conditioner is an excellent lubricant for the grommets.

Jim

[Barnsnake]

In the attached picture you can see the cutout for the bumper bracket.

Jim

[IndyCobra]

Thank you for the replies and the pictures. I just wanted to make sure of the need to trim both the fender well and the extensions before hacking into them.

I worked it a little more last night and I believe I can weld on the plates. They will still clear the body for removal/installation so I don't see a problem there as long as there isn't any other gotcha that I'm unaware of.

It is amazing the differences between right and left, not only the length, but where the openings align with the frame. I swore that my body was off-center 4-5 inches but it is just the difference in the shape of the front-end relative to the frame. Part of the charm of a Cobra.

[KenC]

When I helped Dave do his LSC one week home built we did the same. I actually cut the job of cutting the slleves for the front down, believe it was 1 inch or so. Purely for looks. Even though they are not that effective, you would want them to stick out just past the body work.

[boilerrat]

I hemed hawed for about a month on weather to use bumberettes or racing jacks. Finally ordered the bumperettes from Finishline. I eyeballed them to be far enough out that they would be the first thing to touch rather the nose of the body.

[Luce]

Did any one do anything about the unfinished back side of the bumperets? It's something I never noticed before, but they have to stick out so far to be of any use that you can see the unfinished backsides. I'm starting to not like them. I'm even considering going without. I doubt they'll help anyways unless someone barely touches you like rolling into you at a stop light. Is this just another small rough edge of a Cobra you just live with (or save as a later project after you're on the road)

I'm ready to drive this thing, but I keep finding details that I feel need special attention.

[IndyCobra]

I trimmed the rods on each bumper to get it closer to the body. I thought they looked a little goofy at full length. they are close enough to the body that you really don't notice the backside.

[Barnsnake]

I painted the welded-in brackets on the inside of my bumperettes a satin black. At that point they pretty much disappeared.

Jim