Tucked Impact bumpers?

[nameisbauer]

I was wondering if anyone has "tucked" their impact bumpers. In the BMW community it is normal to "tuck" the "diving board" impact bumpers by drilling out the bumper shocks (obviously rendering them useless). Then pushing them in to get a more clean look. Has anyone done this? Seems like it should work on an impact bumper 911 the same way. Just push it in until the accordians are fully collaped, or maybe trim them down. Seems like a cheap(drill bit and a wall to drive into) mod that can make a big difference in looks, while still having real bumpers.

Thoughts?

Photoshop example:
Top=Stock
Bottom=Tucked


Sorry if this has been addressed, couldn't find anything.

[Math]

tucking them against a tree?
hehe...i did that on a dodge omi when I was 16...
dont know if its done on Porsches...would like to know as well...

[Shawn 357]

I wonder if the bumper smile on the front would still be tight with the bumper once the bumper was tucked?

[crustychief]

I think it would be a waste if you were to have a low speed accident after that. It would transmit all the shock to the unibody wouldn't it?

[Pazuzu]

It's been discussed, and I plan on doing it soon to mine (it would be best with the bumper pads removed as well). I'll probably pin the shocks after I decide on a location for the bumpers.

I do not know if I've seen anyone who has actually done it.

[nameisbauer]

I'm sure it would be "bad" if you had an accident, but enough people are cool with having fiberglass(nothing). It should be better than nothing.
I would think smile and everything should fit because its just sliding in where is it designed too, just never rebounding.

[NoLift911]

I am working on this - you can use a C2 smile for the difference in the "tuckage" so no worries there.

My bumpers are smoothed and filled with aluminum- working on the shock part now, hoping to get back to this project soon and will post some pics - the initial excercise was weight reduction but turned in an all out "while I was in there excercise" we all know and love.

Problem is there is no "good" end to shorten the accordians on - must take from both to make it even, since they are flaired and not consistent with the internal part of the accordian.

Euro crush tubes are probably easier to deal with - no hydraulic nonsense. Just cut a section out and re-weld, have not found a solid "eBay" pair though.

[nameisbauer]

Pazuzu: So you plan on drilling the shock, tucking and then pinning the shock mount in the desired location? Post pics! good luck.
I agree, removing the bumper pads also would work well.

thanks

[nameisbauer]

no lift: I was thinking just leaving the accordians and having them fully compressed would be easy and look clean. Might look weird too.

Are the stock bumpers aluminum?

[Pazuzu]

Yes, about 1/4 inch thick aluminum.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

this is easily accomplished just by driving your car through a cold, deep puddle.

Instant shrinkage.

[NoLift911]

Originally Posted by nameisbauer

no lift: I was thinking just leaving the accordians and having them fully compressed would be easy and look clean. Might look weird too.

Are the stock bumpers aluminum?

Well if you have ever taken these off and held them in your hand I really would not call them "accordians" in the true sense - they are essentially a big hunk of molded rubber made to look like an accordian. Long story short, I doubt you would be able to compress them consistently without bulging or distortion - I could be wrong but the material and the shape just doesn't really seem to work that way.

I guess the best example of this are pictures of the bumper bellows on cars (with euro crush tubes) that have been wrecked with the bumper pushed in 6 or so inches - they simply bulge out the side and are not "compacted" like we would hope for.

TRE was putting something together on these for a smooth look to get rid of the bellows all together -

TRE??

[m110]

The thread that discusses replacing the bellows is:

panels to replace bumper bellows

I've been waiting for these because I tried tucking the bumpers on an SC years ago...You can make a little difference but the bellows do bunch up....Even a little, however, changes the look of the car dramatically in my eyes. I drilled the shocks to release pressure, compressed the desired amount and redrilled with a screw to hold it.

IMHO the bellows are the worst esthetic part of the car...the designers could have updated to a crushable panel (as discussed in the link above) or some overlap setup like BMW did.

Rubber belongs on tires, door seals and you know what else

[TRE Cup]

Though slicked up with graphics, this SCRS themed rally car shows tucked bumpers



the front has a C2 bumper to body seal instead of the smile. The owner felt that the smile would overpower the tucked in bumper

[Zniff]

15 years have passed, any update on this issue?
I reckon perhaps there might be new pistons available?
New replacements for the rubber bellows?
And overall: any suggestions, quickfix, pictures?

[nameisbauer]

I tucked the bumpers on my rally car, similar to TRE car above. Made solid mounts to replace the pistons (figured it's tucked so you don't want it to move, hence no pistons), and trimmed the metal bumpers ends down to then fit with the stock bellows. (in the years since this post, I have changed my tune on the bellows, they have aged well) No need to fab up bellows replacements. I have yet to fabricate the front "smile" as I don't like how big the stock ones are. The yellow car has the seal I will fabricate, but I will try to make it go all the was across so the fender seals and hood seal is one piece. While this is a "rally" car the procedure would be the same for any street car.

[shoooo32]

Zombie thread answered by the OP 15 years later?!? This is forum gold right here.

The only other person I know that tucked their IBs is Chris Balich, but have no idea where those posts are in his monster build thread:

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/989493-my-low-budget-dream-car-build.html

[nameisbauer]

Funny thing was I forgot I was the OP until after I replied and scrolled up. haha.

[Antonov]

I tucked the front bumper on my car by modifying a set of Rennline euro bumper tubes. I modified the fender extensions to meet the bumper blade and delete the bellows, and modified a 964 smile to finish it all off.

[nameisbauer]

Nice work! that looks great.