PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: waldo786 on December 29, 2014, 07:46:32 PM
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So, to make a long story long, back when I thought I was going to restore my grandfather's wagon, the rear bumper was completely rusted out. I actually had to cut it off, and even before I did that I knew I needed a new bumper. I bought an aluminum one from a 79/80. It will fit my car (both are 76's), but I need to cut the plastic bumper filler piece. I don't mind doing this as I have an extra one from my grandfather's car, but it is not as sturdy as the steel and chrome one from the '76. I like the look better and the fact that it weighs less, altho the front will stay the same. Is it safe to use the lightweight aluminum bumpers, or should I go back with the original 76? I'm not worried about it being completely stock, more so on safety and that they are lighter and may also shift more weight up front.
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are you using the metal reinforcement from the 76 or just the bumper with brackets? the big weight diff, is in the reinforcement that thing weighs a ton!
chrome to alum - are close to same weight
just my 2 cents
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you could have used the 77-78 bumpers, they weight the same as the 79-80 bumpers, but look like the 74 to 76 steel bumpers , bet you save over a 100 lbs by doing that , but change both , using the 77 bumpers on my 79 cruse wagon along with the 76 front end and grill , the 79-80 bumpers are strong , tested them when I lived in New Orleans years ago , lost a few pintos from all the bad drivers there
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Thanks for the info. I decided to go ahead and use the later bumpers. I had to trim the rubber panel in between, but it's just about ready to bolt on - I'm hoping I can do it tomorrow. I could be wrong, but I thought the front bumpers would not bolt up, but perhaps I am wrong. Will the '77 / '78 bumpers bolt on with no problem to the 76? Are they the same shape, and will I also need the rubber bumper filler for it also?