Rear bumper swap w/ spacers only?

[ParsedOut]

I had a crazy idea, but would it be possible to install a plastic rear bumper on an early model with only spacers between the bumper shocks and the body? That way the wheel arches will line up? Sure, there would be a 1/2 inch gap at the bumper, but it might be possible to use some weather stripping or something to close the gap.

I don't have any parts on hand to experiment, mostly just thinking out loud and seeing if anyone has done this in the past?

[Sirotto]

Yes and no.

Yes it could possibly work but you would have a huge gap between the plastic bumper and the rear metal.

So yes but you would just have a driving board plastic bumper.

[AndrewBird]

The gap would be more like an inch, not half an inch.

[ParsedOut]

Hmm, an inch would be quite a bit harder to hide... Still wouldn't stick out nearly as far as a DB though. Meh.

[AndrewBird]

Here is a good picture show how much long the bumper is:



Maybe 3/4".

[ParsedOut]

Yeah, I'm familiar with that write up in particular. Looked to be a manageable amount of gap to cover up or simply live with.

[agent]

Sell and buy a late model.



Or euro swap.

[ParsedOut]

^^^^^^ That response has not gotten any less ridiculous throughout the years. There are many people that prefer the small tail lights (myself) and the large rear arches (myself for the most part), also when you have an extremely clean car with hundreds of hours of work into it... redoing all that on a late model simply for bumpers is not an option.

Personally I'm just going to paint and tuck, done it before on my old E30 and it turned out nice. Just need a rear valance, that's my biggest beef with the early models.

[KIRIEIW]

Rear bumper swap w/ spacers only?

I learned to accept my diving boards and rear valanceless car. Though when I find a set o plastic bumpers in alpine white at the junk yard I'm buying them. I agree with you 100% too, way to much work to switch to a late model for just bumpers, valance tail lights, ect.


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