mounting rear bumpers on 69 - I wish I had taken more pictures......

[Richard R.]

Folks,

I am putting on the rear bumpers of my 69 L46. But I have a concern and just wanted some feedback. It's been 5 years since I took them off and I didn't take enough pictures in this area.

There have been no changes to the frame or the mounting points for the bumper brackets. These are the original bumpers and they have been re-plated.

I have all the frame brackets in place but loose to allow movement/alignment.

I have the 3 most outside bolts (all bolts on the horizontal) in place and it lines up well with the body and the brackets. However the inside lower (vertical) welded nut on the bumper (next to the license plate) that connects to the support rod doesn't line up easily. Probably off about 1/2". I can force it to fit by pressing on the rear taillight panel from the inside and then I can get the bolt started. Both sides are like that although the drivers side requires a bit more effort. I haven't tightened anything down but it appears to fit OK. It is making me nervous since I had to muscle it some to get it in position. Is this normal? Or is there something I could be missing here?

By the way, they do look nice!

Thanks for your help.

Rich

[Edward J.]

Re: mounting rear bumpers on 69 - I wish I had taken more pictures......

Rich, did you do a body off? if the bumpers are the originals they should fit as they were when mounted prev. unless the plating company did some sort of swap with another pair of bumpers, which is common, I learned this many years ago that it does happen more that most think. I will mark my own bumpers in a spot no one can see. I will tell you that a little force may be needed to align. them and to slightly elongate the mount brackets helps to make them perfect.

[Richard R.]

Re: mounting rear bumpers on 69 - I wish I had taken more pictures......

Yes Ed, a complete body off restore. These are the original bumpers as I had marked them prior to plating. I will elongate the holes on the end of the support rod a tad and make the remaining difference up with a little muscle. I just didn't recall them being that tight when I took them off.

[Edward J.]

Re: mounting rear bumpers on 69 - I wish I had taken more pictures......

Rich once the body has been off sometimes the cushions/spacers change the height and with limited adjustments we have to be a little creative.