View Full Version : Source for SS Front Bumper Sleeves
CFranks
12-01-2020, 09:33 AM
Anyone have a source other than ********** for the front SS bumper sleeves that go through the grommets? I’ve fallen into the magical ********** customer service death spiral and am now going on 9 weeks without the product or response (I swear I’m like a battered spouse with these guys, keep on going back for more). I’m a few weeks away from this significantly holding up my build as I get my body back on so need to start to look for alternates from a reputable company in case they don’t show soon.
nuhale
12-01-2020, 09:54 AM
Are you talking about the stainless tube? I went with Aluminum straight from McMaster Carr. Cut and polished. They have stainless as well. I don't recall the exact spec... Jeff Kleiner will know. I do recall the wall thickness being .120-.125.
FLPBFoot
12-01-2020, 12:15 PM
Are you talking about the stainless tube? I went with Aluminum straight from McMaster Carr. Cut and polished. They have stainless as well. I don't recall the exact spec... Jeff Kleiner will know. I do recall the wall thickness being .120-.125.
Bryan,
What's wrong with the ones that come with the kit? Steel so they rust?
Steve
Jeff Kleiner
12-01-2020, 12:28 PM
Bryan,
What's wrong with the ones that come with the kit? Steel so they rust?
Steve
Wrong O.D. For the grommets. I get mine from Onlinemetals.com Seamless stainless, .75 OD, .125 wall.
Jeff
CFranks
12-01-2020, 01:04 PM
Wrong O.D. For the grommets. I get mine from Onlinemetals.com Seamless stainless, .75 OD, .125 wall.
Jeff
Perfect, thanks!
nuhale
12-01-2020, 01:19 PM
There it is! Yes 3/4" 1/8 wall is what I bought. Like I said I picked up the aluminum... maybe a 2' length (enough for the 4) cut and polished to a nice chrome finish.
Steve- the kit (or at least mine) came with a spilt stainless with a rubber sided washers to hold the front on. I opted to use the grommet method with a full length tube. Jeff has documented this method many times on the forum. Made it much easier IMO.
FLPBFoot
12-01-2020, 01:28 PM
Steve- the kit (or at least mine) came with a spilt stainless with a rubber sided washers to hold the front on. I opted to use the grommet method with a full length tube. Jeff has documented this method many times on the forum. Made it much easier IMO.
I have the grommets and the factory supplied ones fit tight even to the point of needing a bit of lube to get them through the grommets. Very secure.
Jeff Kleiner
12-01-2020, 03:35 PM
I have the grommets and the factory supplied ones fit tight even to the point of needing a bit of lube to get them through the grommets. Very secure.
Interesting. The grommets (which are not provided by FFR but which are available through **********, Metro Molded Products, etc.) have a good 3/4” hole and the FFR supplies tubes (which I have about a hundred of!) are 5/8”.
Jeff
nucjd19
12-01-2020, 03:57 PM
Jeff, If you don't mind what is the recommended ID. I am looking right now at online metals and have the grommets from **********.
rich grsc
12-01-2020, 05:34 PM
.75-.125-.125=.5
nucjd19
12-01-2020, 05:36 PM
HA! Sorry for my brain seizure moment... I was on call last night and not thinking completely straight.
I picked up SS 3/4 tubing from a local metal supply shop. Nothing special, I’d think it would be available in most places that sell metal.
steno
12-02-2020, 12:48 PM
I got some chrome plated tubing from a sprinkler company. It was what they use in restaurants in the kitchen hoods. Cuts with a tubing cutter and looks great!
egchewy79
01-03-2021, 06:51 PM
resurrecting this thread...
is anyone using bushings inside the 3/4" sleeve for the stock bolts since they are quite a bit smaller? and if so, any good recommendations?
jrcuz
01-03-2021, 07:18 PM
I remember reading several years ago that one builder used small dia. PVC tubing the same length as the SS tubing. I don't know how successful it was though. I was thinking about some clear plastic tubing or rubber tubing but haven't decided yet.
JR
CFranks
01-03-2021, 07:41 PM
I followed edwardb’s sage advice and ordered 2 bronze bearings per sleeve from McMaster. Below is the part number. Note I haven’t installed yet so can’t speak to their effectiveness yet.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#6391K192
boat737
01-04-2021, 09:21 AM
I used FEP Clear Tubing from McMaster. https://www.mcmaster.com/2129T15/ Perfect fit. 7/16 ID, 1/2 OD.
R. Button
01-04-2021, 10:20 AM
As I read the discussions on the bumper sleeves - I'm reminded that back now years ago we went out and bought valve cover PCV grommets to put into the bumper holes in the body then slide the sleeves in them.
And we used roofing rubber vent pipe collars around the roll bars.
We have come a long way since these builds first started! :)
egchewy79
01-04-2021, 01:59 PM
As I read the discussions on the bumper sleeves - I'm reminded that back now years ago we went out and bought valve cover PCV grommets to put into the bumper holes in the body then slide the sleeves in them.
And we used roofing rubber vent pipe collars around the roll bars.
We have come a long way since these builds first started! :)
necessity is the mother of invention, after all.