Mounting rear bumper without dropping gas tank

[Gumball]

I didn't want to drop my gas tank to install my rear bumper, but since I have the full bumper with overriders (which are threaded on the inside), I came up with a creative alternative. This is just for the lower rear passenger side, as the other three mounts work fine with the gas tank in place. I used 7/16" threaded rod and was able to make is so that I can install it using the original threads in the overrider. I also turned 1/4" off each of the spacers that go between the body and the bumper to pull the bumper a bit closer to the body and I did the same thing in the front to both make the hoop closer to the car and align it with the rake of the radiator opening.

Installation is as follows:

1) 7/16" x 1" bolt inserted through the chassis hole (no washer under the head)
2) washer and coupler attached to 7/16" x 1 bolt and tightened - just snug
3) thread the section of threaded rod into the socket on the overrider (it goes in so that about 3/4" of threaded rod is sticking into the overrider - it'll be understandable as you're doing it), then insert through the appropriate spacers, bumper, and body
4) add three nuts and the washer (washer with neoprene gasket to body) to the threaded rod inside the body
5) holding the overrider as close to the final positioning, thread the threaded rod out of the overrider and into the coupler (leaving 3/8" or so of threads sticking out of back side of overrider and bottoming the threaded rod out in the coupler
6) run the jamb nut down onto the coupler
7) slip a combination end wrench up between the gas tank and the chassis and turn the 7/16" x 1 bolt head to pull the overrider into final position, tightening the spacers against the bumper and the body
8) final adjustment is done by turning the other two nuts that are on the inside of the body on the threaded rod out against the body, using one for a jamb nut on the other
9) for final installation, I'll add some red loc-tite to make sure it all stays together.

Here's a shot of the installed assembly - no need for an external nut in the overrider!

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/RearAdjustableMount_zpse0222928.jpg

And here it is installed:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/RearfromSide_zps2d44cafe.jpg

[riptide motorsport]

Brilliant I say....brilliant!!!

[skullandbones]

That's very slick, Gumball!!!

BTW, are you planning to fit everything and take it back apart for paint or are you going to drive it for a while?

Thanks for the tip.

WEK.

[SCFFR]

Very nice Chris and certainly easier than what I did.

I worked around the problem a little differently..........I welded four Grade 8 7/16" nuts to the back side of the four tabs and used threaded rod to attach the bumper and over riders. I'm using the Finish Line rubber grommets and larger sleeves which makes alignment a little easier. As another member had suggested, I spaced the bumper far enough away from the body so I could get the key in the trunk latch. Drilled out the threaded holes in the over riders so the threaded rod would slip through. I'm using a stainless lock nut on the inside the over rider to hold everything together. To keep the rod from running into the tank, just ran the rod into the nuts and marked them then put a few spot welds around the rod.

A different way to skin a cat.

Ron

15014

[Gumball]

That's very slick, Gumball!!!

BTW, are you planning to fit everything and take it back apart for paint or are you going to drive it for a while?

Thanks for the tip.

WEK.

Just trying to pre-fit everything so I don't have to drill holes and muck things up once it is painted. I don't plan on driving it in gel-coat, but my plan is to do one final body fitting before it goes out for paint, at which time I'll install everything necessary for licensing inspection so I can get my Illinois registration process rolling. With any luck, the body will be back from paint and I'll have everything assembled and registered by this summer.

[azbruin]

This is a great thread. I've been trying to decide whether to drop the tank and really didn't want to. The right side was a very difficult fit without the body on and seeing some great alternatives made my day! I'm 95% done with my car - just have a little body work and some aluminum panels that I will fit after paint.