Rusted rear bumper support? Make your own!
doitdub
familEE
Just thought I'd update you guys. After not being able to source a rust free bumper support, I built a rear bumper support bracket similar to the ones that are used on the JDM/EDM pictured below (thanks for the pic, Marc). I'm kind of bummed because I accidentally deleted the pictures I had that showed the finished product. I used an L bar from an old bed frame, but really any metal stock should do...the L bar allows for a bit more rigidity than say flat stock. Any rate, it was free which made me happy. All I did was then measure it to the bumper and then measure the holes on the body for where to weld on the legs and bolt holes, cut, grind, re-measure, weld, grind, attach.
At any rate, it's on the car now and I put some weight on it and it's sturdy...surprising being my first welding project. The only thing I would do differently is use black oxidized flat head bolts to attached the support to the bumper skin at the top so the fasteners aren't as noticeable. I would have also welded on the bolts in the lower holes, and a nut on the top hole (on the bracket) as trying to fit your hand up underneath the bumper while it's on to fasten it down was a pain, also cut me up a bit.
Anyway, I'm happy with my cheap alternative. Wish I wouldn't have deleted the finished pics and measured everything at the end to provide here as well. :oops: Here's some pics to give you an idea...
What I wanted it to resemble when done: EDM/JDM Rear Bumper Support Bracket
What I was working with...
Start with L bar, mock up, measure, cut, re-measure...
To get it to concave with the bumper... (x is where you want to wack it
)
I then sprayed it with some paint to protect it somewhat from the elements and further rusting.
Accidentally deleted pics of the final product. :x
Underneath...
On the car...
Not bad for close to free!
And yes, that's snow on the roof!
At any rate, it's on the car now and I put some weight on it and it's sturdy...surprising being my first welding project. The only thing I would do differently is use black oxidized flat head bolts to attached the support to the bumper skin at the top so the fasteners aren't as noticeable. I would have also welded on the bolts in the lower holes, and a nut on the top hole (on the bracket) as trying to fit your hand up underneath the bumper while it's on to fasten it down was a pain, also cut me up a bit.
Anyway, I'm happy with my cheap alternative. Wish I wouldn't have deleted the finished pics and measured everything at the end to provide here as well. :oops: Here's some pics to give you an idea...
What I wanted it to resemble when done: EDM/JDM Rear Bumper Support Bracket
What I was working with...
Start with L bar, mock up, measure, cut, re-measure...
To get it to concave with the bumper... (x is where you want to wack it
)I then sprayed it with some paint to protect it somewhat from the elements and further rusting.
Accidentally deleted pics of the final product. :x
Underneath...
On the car...
Not bad for close to free!
And yes, that's snow on the roof!
Comments
any ???
:shock:
This was kind of my learning project.
Yeah I used some, but unfortunately deleted the finished pics.
Pretty neat though. I would have done it different had I not seen this thread, but now that I have I will/would do the same thing for shaping it!!
i think its an example of replacing...
not how to protect for the next 20 years
thats his next chapter...
(Yes I've got snow -- had at least 4 feet already)