Rear sc bumper guard removal

Redlineshftr · 03-12-2006, 05:39 PM

In my quest to lighten my car and save myself from boredom i've decided to remove the ugly rear bumper guards. after removal what do you plug the holes up with? I dont want to roll around with big holes in my bumper that are just as ugly as the bumper guards!!! Thanks

Mike

Rot 911 · 03-12-2006, 05:46 PM

Easiest way is to get some plugs from a hardware or auto parts store and paint to match or just leave them black. I filled mine and repainted the bumper.

Ron.G · 03-12-2006, 05:47 PM

Are you gonna keep the rubber strips on both sides of the bumperetts?
If not there are more holes to fill. Plus there are two other holes for the lisence plate light wires that mount inside the bumperettes.

Once you have them off you'll see what I mean.
Good luck.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

filled mine...left the strips...and will be having it painted soon

Redlineshftr · 03-12-2006, 06:23 PM

Well unfortunatly the "cheap respray" by the PO just turned a wrose respray! I took off teh first bumper guard and realized underneath was the original off white/ cream color... shes DEFINETLY getting a proper paint job before this summer! Thanks for the tips on what to do with teh holes! Ill just take off all the rubber back there and have the body shop fill the holes. That will look much cleaner.

Mike

jtratza · 03-12-2006, 08:00 PM

I used plugs from Ace Hardware. Its temporary until I get the holes filled and repaint the bumper. The plugs didn't quite fit in the holes so used some contruction adhesive to make sure they didn't fall out. I painted them with a brush using paint left over from a wheelwell project last year. I left the strips since they match the front bumper. They will need a couple of screws in the end to hold them against the bumper. And yes I know the right side exhaust is lower than the left side. Thats another thing I need to fix.

bigrubberjeep · 03-12-2006, 10:09 PM

Looks excellent.

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

Yep...looks better. Those big ugly bumperettes are awful BUT they provide a lot of protection in case of rear end 'tap'. Wonder what insurance investigators will say if you are rear ended and they notice the removal of this protection...??? Think again...

bigrubberjeep · 03-12-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drdogface
Yep...looks better. Those big ugly bumperettes are awful BUT they provide a lot of protection in case of rear end 'tap'. Wonder what insurance investigators will say if you are rear ended and they notice the removal of this protection...??? Think again...

If you get them welded filled no one wil ever know, besides it's a perfect in between from F/G in my opinion, just imagine the aftermath when you have a F/G bumper instead?

porschenut · 03-13-2006, 08:13 AM

In my opinion it looks better WITH them. I took mine off a year ago, thinking the car would look better without. And at first, I thought it did, but I've changed my mind. You might too. I suggest using the plugs for the holes rather than getting them welded shut, because if you change your mind later it will be a big PITA to redrill all the holes to remount (also think about resale value and what the next owner might prefer).

I also considered the possibility that the insurance company might not cover me due to the modification and removal of the car's safety equipment. Yes, they'll know. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for these things and they'll review what the car is supposed to have. The issue will also come up in the repair shop's estimate. It's possible you may be able to force them to cover you, but it will make the fight that much harder (expensive lawyer). See if your policy says anything about coverage refusal due to modifications.

NY65912 · 03-13-2006, 11:10 AM

Check out this thread.

My butt is finally shaved!

It's really not too dificult at all. Just time and patience.

22 lbs in weight savings!

Good Luck

Howard M · 03-13-2006, 11:16 AM

Don't forget that you will have to come up with a solution to illuminate your license plate. There are several, including license frame bolt/lights and other LED assemblies.

Howard

rcooled · 03-13-2006, 11:33 AM

I never liked those huge bumper guards either but still wanted a stock look. The solution for me was to swap out the entire rear bumper. I found a complete '74 rear bumper at a swap meet which had the smaller Euro-style guards. They're much lighter, still offer some protection, retain a stock look and there were no holes to fill. Just required painting to match the car.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I work for a rather large insurance company...and have written more than my share of repair estimates on modified type vehicles over the years....It has never come up in my estimate....now if you highly modify the vehicle....modify the engine....interior....you may get underwritten to make an adjustment in your premium....example...you have a 72 bug...and you drop a speedster body on it...and have it insured as a 72 bug....dont expect to get paid for your speedster modification...if you have a loss....some states require endorsements for any change from absolute stock (Texas for one)....many people don't know that...I suggest talking to your agent.......removing the bumperettes should not be a problem...most estimators don't have a clue what these cars are supposed to look like anyway...just my .02

NY65912 · 05:36 PM

Like I said in the thread about "shaving my butt", I'm using a lighted license plate frame. I do not know if PP has them. I purchased mine from Performance Products. I think the frame is a clean solution, no bulb housing protruding on the bumper.

hobieboy · 03-13-2006, 02:35 PM

Mike, interesting license plate light solution... does it use battery or existing wiring?

thanks...

jtratza · 03-13-2006, 04:48 PM

Mike, I used a license plate frame with lights built into it also. I got mine from a performance shop in Houston while looking at replacement seats. Cost was about $15. Wired it to the existing license plate wiring.

NY65912 · 03-13-2006, 05:35 PM

What Jtraza said. I just used one of the two wires which are plenty long enough and used shrink tubing on the not used wire.

Rod80SC · Rod80SC's Garage

Looking for pics of rear bumper guard delete.

Not sure if this link is going ot work, but it is a great one for this topic. i am still waiting to finish mine. Just got to get off this boat and spend a little time ashore.

Zacko · 01-13-2009, 10:27 AM

Not my car! but I think it looks nice!