Don’t underestimate the redneck brake—big vice & 4’ demo bar welded to 3/8” plate.
WTB Pre-73 Front Bumper Brackets
- Thread starter JayWltrs
- Start date
Don’t underestimate the redneck brake—big vice & 4’ demo bar welded to 3/8” plate.
The diameter should be 5cm.
Apologies for the photo as it’s deceiving. I took another picture that didn’t save. The measurement is 5 cm precisely.
These pics are from the original mounts, but the conversation brackets should be the same size.
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This is the outside diameter, correct?
5cm = 1.9685 inches.
That is 0.8mm away from 2”. Buy some 2” tube (not pipe) and call it good! Tube is measured by OD, pipe by ID.
OD was precisely 5 cm
You don’t want to be very far off either or I’d image you would some play in the bumper after mounting... and another place for water to sneak.
Damn... you lost me with the tube : pipe reference. Just when I think I know something.
Found a set of the conversion tubes and, while remedial for some, I thought I’d show sizes I'm seeing for future reference. The actual OD of the pipe/tube is what counts, b/c the rubber receiving block gives a little & the tightening screws allow you to tighten the block over the tube a bit, but a larger diameter than original bumper shock may be too large.
The original bumper shock is 44mm (1.73"), and they are a tight squeeze, so anything with an OD over 44mm might be a problem unless you shave down the rubber block hole. The most common plumbing pipes you can find at hardware/supply stores are 1 1/2” & 1 1/4”, which apparently have ODs of 1.900” (48.26mm) & 1.660” (42.164mm), respectively. So, the 1 1/2" pipe is out without adjusting the block.
Here’s the block--becomes more oval with bumper shock removed. I had measurements between 42 & 48.5 mm on the openings, so not much guidance here:
Here's the conversion tube bracket at 43mm OD & 37.75 ID (not perfectly round, so varies a bit):
There's a little play if you insert the conversion tube into the block outside of the car, but with the block fitted in the car, the tube is snug. And that should work fine, not only because of the big bolt in the back, but the two tightening bolts press on the block's steel plate giving extra pressure:
So, if you want to make some, you might try some 1 1/4" pipe. I'll add the angle of the front-facing brackets on the tube & total dimensions a bit later. I might give it a shot while we're shut in. All that said, I'm still on the fence whether to even use the conversion tubes.
The original bumper shock is 44mm (1.73"), and they are a tight squeeze, so anything with an OD over 44mm might be a problem unless you shave down the rubber block hole. The most common plumbing pipes you can find at hardware/supply stores are 1 1/2” & 1 1/4”, which apparently have ODs of 1.900” (48.26mm) & 1.660” (42.164mm), respectively. So, the 1 1/2" pipe is out without adjusting the block.
Here’s the block--becomes more oval with bumper shock removed. I had measurements between 42 & 48.5 mm on the openings, so not much guidance here:
Here's the conversion tube bracket at 43mm OD & 37.75 ID (not perfectly round, so varies a bit):
There's a little play if you insert the conversion tube into the block outside of the car, but with the block fitted in the car, the tube is snug. And that should work fine, not only because of the big bolt in the back, but the two tightening bolts press on the block's steel plate giving extra pressure:
So, if you want to make some, you might try some 1 1/4" pipe. I'll add the angle of the front-facing brackets on the tube & total dimensions a bit later. I might give it a shot while we're shut in. All that said, I'm still on the fence whether to even use the conversion tubes.
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Hi Jay,
Looks like you are good to go. Perhaps it is too tight of a squeeze but 1.75” DOM tube comes out to 44.45mm. Just for future reference if the conversion tubes are NLA.
Looks like you are good to go. Perhaps it is too tight of a squeeze but 1.75” DOM tube comes out to 44.45mm. Just for future reference if the conversion tubes are NLA.
Dangit, Mark, now I had to research what DOM is. Drawn Over Mandrel tubing definitely seems like a better product for structural pieces and is commonly used in roll bars, etc. The conversion brackets I received have an internal flash weld, so I don't think that's DOM. I found a place in town selling DOM 1.75", 1.51" ID, 11GA, .12" thickness, which would be spot on, but getting a price from them requires some code I don't possess. So, dealing with industrial sellers in the oil & gas pipe yard part of town vs. the 10 min. drive to big box seals the deal for me. At Lowe's 1 1/4" is $35 for 6' and $36 for 10'.
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Try calling the steel shops. They typically have scrap sections at lengths perfect for this kind of thing. It’s just a heck of a lot easier to have a steel shop cut your material with a water cooled
band saw. Even if you buy scrap, pay them
a few bucks to cut your tubes to length.
Not that I recommend it, but I have been known to use my tile saw to cut 2” steel tube.
band saw. Even if you buy scrap, pay them
a few bucks to cut your tubes to length.
Not that I recommend it, but I have been known to use my tile saw to cut 2” steel tube.
Not just steel shops. Google metal supply. It will cover a broader spectrum and they will have what you want. As Markos said, they will have plenty of scrap, short lengths or cut to size for a minimum cost.Besides it will be like a candy factory seeing all the different metal available for present and future needs