How to Eliminate Bumpers for Clean Look?

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Hi everyone. I saw this build and I really like the no bumper look (quick jacks?). Anyone know how to accomplish this? Like parts or better yet a post discussing this.

Thank you.
187373187374

[egchewy79]

use a shorter bolt, or cut off the bolt and put an acorn nut on it.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Well, that was much easier than expected. That should work with the "Kleiner coupling mod" correct?

[edwardb]

I'd suggest two points to keep in mind: (1) Both the front and rear bumper bolts are part of the body attachment. So doing something like shown in the posted pictures is OK. As long as still holding onto the body. Some builds have eliminated them completely. But that's a much more extensive mod requiring hidden fasteners bonded to the inside of the body. (2) Check your local title/registration process. Often bumpers are required as part of an initial inspection. Not saying you could have them on during the inspection and remove later (I didn't say that out loud...) but good to be aware of your requirements.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Thank you edwardb, that clears it up. And good point about the bumpers for inspection.

[MPTech]

I've seen large StainlessSteel button head screws used. I think this looked better than acorn nuts.

[Jim1855]

You could use stainless carriage bolts. These usually have a larger head than a buttonhead and they are often fully threaded. You might want to turn down the square wrench flats but it may not be necessary. Check McMaster-Carr for general availability.
Jim

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Thank you Jim and MPTech. In both of your examples, which I would prefer over an acorn nut, what do those screw into? I’m guessing I would have to modify the bumper bolts since they are part of the body?

[Jeff Kleiner]

I did a Mk4 for a customer a few years ago with hidden front and rear mounts. This is looking rearward at the left rear from the trunk area:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187393&d=1689860311

Two studs are bonded to the inside of the body at the (now filled) bumper bolt holes. Attached to those is an "L" bracket with vertically slotted holes for those studs. This allows up/down adjustment. Notice that the other leg of the "L" has slots in a horizontal axis to allow for forward and aft adjustment. Attached to the chassis is another "L" bracket to mate up with the one that mounts to the body. This one also has horizontal slots to allow for side to side adjustment. Two bolts pass through the slots in the body mount and engage nuts welded to the chassis mount (obviously those are not in place in this photo, nor are the brackets yet adjusted to meet one another). The whole combination allows for adjustment in all 3 axis; up and down, forward and back, left and right. The front was done pretty much the same (don't think I have any photos of that end).

It worked well and made for a clean look with totally hidden fasteners.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187394&d=1676940567

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187396&d=1534589838

I wasn't nearly that ambitious when I built my own car and just used one chrome buttonhead per side.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187402&d=1533058873

Maybe this will give you some ideas!

Jeff

[AA-ron]

I ended up not using the quick jacks or bumpers and wanted an invisible mounting technique. I have my process documented in this video. It worked nicely and happy to report that the body is rock solid and it looks great-- granted I only have 500 miles on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTyO5Tny838

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

That looks amazing, Jeff. I'm going to have to do that. I'll reach out for pointers when I'm at that stage, if you don't mind.

By the way, I have been to Bloomington many times. It was part of my sales territory so I always had an excuse to visit my friend attending optometric school at IU. ~20 years ago. Fun times.

[nashuanuke]

AA-ron is a user on here, he's got a bunch of youtube videos, https://www.youtube.com/@randomwerks3763/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0, in one of them he talks about how he hid his quick jacks

[gbranham]

Years ago, I built my MkIII with no quickjacks; I glassed in the front QJ body holes. I planned to do the same on my MkIV, but when I took delivery last week, realized the front body mounts are no longer in the oval vents on either side of the nose opening, but rather, are integral to the QJ holes. I have pondered doing what Jeff shows above for a customer car, and may end up doing something similar. I learned on my MkIII that the only thing the QJs are good for is leaving nasty gashes in your forehead, and they have no 'give' at all. :)