Need Tips on installation of A.I.R bumpers

[poc533]

Picking up new front and rear fiberglass AIR bumpers for my 86 Carrera on Monday. Any tips on the best way to install these? Should I use the existing bumper shocks? Thanks in advance for the help

[Quicksilver]

The bumper shocks are very heavy and totally useless on a fiberglass bumper.
Just weld mounting flanges to a piece of tubing like the Euro crush tubes.

[chrisp]

I think you'll be surpirsed at how simple the mounting can be. No need to over engineer this. My glass front bumper is mounted with 6 total bolts (3 on each side). I bolted it out by the wheel, the next hole about 4-5" towards the headlight and the third hole is 8-10" in, just abut where the headlight is. That's it.

All three points on each side are stock mounting points for the OEM parts. The holes are already there.

there's nothing structural about these types of bumpers so attach accordingly. i would definitely ditch the oem bumper shocks. you don't want those auguring into something when you go off track.

[trentwat]

Originally Posted by chrisp

I think you'll be surpirsed at how simple the mounting can be. No need to over engineer this. My glass front bumper is mounted with 6 total bolts (3 on each side). I bolted it out by the wheel, the next hole about 4-5" towards the headlight and the third hole is 8-10" in, just abut where the headlight is. That's it.

All three points on each side are stock mounting points for the OEM parts. The holes are already there.

there's nothing structural about these types of bumpers so attach accordingly. i would definitely ditch the oem bumper shocks. you don't want those auguring into something when you go off track.

This is exactly what my bodyshop is currently doing ('88 Carrera / Getty Design Bumpers). Only difference is that they recommended driling new holes rather than re-using existing ones -not fully sure if it was necessary.

[dad911]

6 bolts may hold up on the street, with large washers on the fiberglass side to keep it from ripping out. For track use (high speeds) I would add some aluminum braces.

[chrisp]

Mine has seen about 30+ DE days and three club race weekends. It's as secure as when I mounted it.

[HelmetHead]

poc533, I've got lots of detailed pictures of my fiberglass bumper brackets on my flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12148635@N02/

Helmethead

[trentwat]

Originally Posted by dad911

6 bolts may hold up on the street, with large washers on the fiberglass side to keep it from ripping out. For track use (high speeds) I would add some aluminum braces.

Dad911, would you please explain what the aluminum bracing entails? My FRP bumpers are still being installed. If it is a simple add-on to the project, maybe now is the time. I want to protect this expense within reason.

[Tom '74 911]

Here's a few photos I've collected for reference for my own project.

[trentwat]

Tom '74...

It looks like the mounts in the photos are utilizing the bumpershock mounting locations...I purchased a tow hook configuration from Rennline that replaces the bumpershock with a solid unit (other shock has been removed)...Are there alternate possibilities (recommendations)?

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by trentwat

Tom '74...

It looks like the mounts in the photos are utilizing the bumpershock mounting locations...I purchased a tow hook configuration from Rennline that replaces the bumpershock with a solid unit (other shock has been removed)...Are there alternate possibilities (recommendations)?

It sounds like the guys that have posted above didn't use the bumper shock mounting points. If I'm understanding correctly, it sounds like they have simply used some bolts through the bot. of the fenders to secure the bumper - same way the OEM smile attaches.

Tom

[trentwat]

These photos are great, but they keep creating more thoughts...Any idea how the ducting (brake cooling) should be connected to the scoop on the bumper for frequent removal? Looking at the photos, there are varying solutions. I realized if I simply used a clamp that the fiberglass could easily be damaged.