BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!
- Thread starter liquidh8
- Start date
Well, I had work this weekend but I did do so more work on the bumper. I have a few things to finish on it before I skim it with Metal-to-Metal. I hope to be starting the rear bumper and tailgate by Friday and over the weekend. I need to get this thing to the paint booth.
Big change from this:
View attachment 40647
Big change from this:
View attachment 40647
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Well, major fabrication of the front bumper is done.
Before
After
I also bought some aluminum tube to customize the bumper brackets.
I'll weld this right over the other tube I cut.
Before
After
I also bought some aluminum tube to customize the bumper brackets.
I'll weld this right over the other tube I cut.
Jim,
I'm lovin' it so far. The bumper looks absolutely fantastic. Cutting out the license plate pocket was a good choice. I still think the Olds header panel was the way to go. I guess you'll fill the square area in the header panel where the Olds emblem goes.
The aluminum bumper mounts are nice. With mine, I ended up drilling the shocks and blowing out the oil. I was going to weld them in a stationary position, but I just drilled a hole in each absorber and put a screw in to hold it in position. It makes it easier to remove the bumper, by loosening the screws and pulling the bumper back while it;s still bolted to the frame, It allows more access to get to the flange bolts.
I'm lovin' it so far. The bumper looks absolutely fantastic. Cutting out the license plate pocket was a good choice. I still think the Olds header panel was the way to go. I guess you'll fill the square area in the header panel where the Olds emblem goes.
The aluminum bumper mounts are nice. With mine, I ended up drilling the shocks and blowing out the oil. I was going to weld them in a stationary position, but I just drilled a hole in each absorber and put a screw in to hold it in position. It makes it easier to remove the bumper, by loosening the screws and pulling the bumper back while it;s still bolted to the frame, It allows more access to get to the flange bolts.
Thanks Jack! I never really like the Century headed panel. I am a fan of the Malibu and two headlight olds header. I will be filling in the emblem holes on the top and front. Since no plate is needed here I figured filling it would look better.
I had started to do exactly as you had, I blasted 2 of them, and drilled out the pump to drain the fluid. But I ran across this pair or aluminum ones and just went with them. The rear will be getting the hitch behind the bumper, like ben did with his car. I would rather have a "plug" where the receiver goes than have the whole hitch hanging down low. So the rear bumper mounts will be custom, and in the inner support will be lightened up with the help of my plasma cutter.
Jim,
I never really cared for the Century header panel either. The single headlight Olds panel is so much cleaner looking. What type of front signal lights are you going to use? I know you decreased the size of the openings.
So you plan to mount the hitch thru the bumper like Ben did, and like some late model trucks and SUV's have it. That's a cool look. Getting a hitch is also on my to-do list. I was thinking, with my rear bumper not only tucked in, but raised up, will the hitch tend to hang down low?
I'd like it to look natural, not like an after thought.
What brand of hitch are you going with? I was looking at a U-Haul hitch. I don't know who actually makes it, nor have I seen one up close. The local U-Haul dealer printed out a picture/ diagram of what it basically looks like. It's still hard to tell.
The Curt and Draw-tite hitches are both nice pieces. I'd hate to order one and not be satisfied with the construction. Of course, I'm looking for a deal on one, and would possibly consider a good used one.
I never really cared for the Century header panel either. The single headlight Olds panel is so much cleaner looking. What type of front signal lights are you going to use? I know you decreased the size of the openings.
So you plan to mount the hitch thru the bumper like Ben did, and like some late model trucks and SUV's have it. That's a cool look. Getting a hitch is also on my to-do list. I was thinking, with my rear bumper not only tucked in, but raised up, will the hitch tend to hang down low?
I'd like it to look natural, not like an after thought.
What brand of hitch are you going with? I was looking at a U-Haul hitch. I don't know who actually makes it, nor have I seen one up close. The local U-Haul dealer printed out a picture/ diagram of what it basically looks like. It's still hard to tell.
The Curt and Draw-tite hitches are both nice pieces. I'd hate to order one and not be satisfied with the construction. Of course, I'm looking for a deal on one, and would possibly consider a good used one.
Jack, the light holes in the bumper while be used for a driving light/day time running light. I have seen various different LED's setups I'd like to use. I could also run the holes for brake ducts. TBH, I am not 100% set on those. The signal lights in the headers I plan to convert to LEDs also, after the car is "complete". I filled the side marker/signal lights, and I am putting flush mount hidden LEDs in the ends of the bumpers. I'll have some pictures of those when I get them in.
Yes sir, I had originally planned on putting the plate in the bumper, and using a 2 door drop down plate holder to hide the receiver. But after seeing a few pictures of cars, with the plates in the bumper, I was never 100% sold on the idea. I even took a spare crappy gate and filled the plate pocket. The *ss of these cars is just too big I think to have everything, lights and plate, in the bumper. So I will just cut a square in the center of the bumper, and make a plug that fits in there to cover the hole up when not in use (most of the time). All my G-bodys had a hitch that was custom made back in the day. I can assure you it is thicker than any store bought class 3 hitch, and has towed some heavy things. I will be modifying it to bolt to the back of the frame, and have extensions to run in the rail like the pumps do. I don't plan on towing anything rear heavy with this car, but you never know.
I do have a U-haul class 2 laying around, but since it has that small receiver I never used it.
Jim,
The holes in the bumper look like a great place for a set of driving lights...or duct work for your intercooler..
The flush LED's should look really cool. You really won't see them until they're lit up.
I also kicked around the idea of filling the tag pocket in the tailgate, but decided not to. I even cut out and shaped a piece of metal to fit the opening. Then again, you would either have to cut out a pocket in the bumper, which never looked right, in my opinion, Besides, there's not much meat in these bumpers to do that without having to reinforce the area around the opening. Or the other option would be to use an electric drop down streetrod tag holder.
Jim, if you can take a pic of your trailer hitch, I'd appreciate it. If it's buried under tons of stuff, don't worry about it. So the drawbar is only a 1.5" square. I know it doesn't seem like much.
I wouldn't be towing anything that heavy. I have thought of a small travel trailer, a small boat, or a small to medium size car. I have towed a small car with it before, and that was a bumper mounted hitch...with my old 305. In fact, it was up in Pa. some 30 + yrs ago. I blew an engine and borrowed a friends tow bar to tow it home from the Poconos.
The holes in the bumper look like a great place for a set of driving lights...or duct work for your intercooler..
The flush LED's should look really cool. You really won't see them until they're lit up.
I also kicked around the idea of filling the tag pocket in the tailgate, but decided not to. I even cut out and shaped a piece of metal to fit the opening. Then again, you would either have to cut out a pocket in the bumper, which never looked right, in my opinion, Besides, there's not much meat in these bumpers to do that without having to reinforce the area around the opening. Or the other option would be to use an electric drop down streetrod tag holder.
Jim, if you can take a pic of your trailer hitch, I'd appreciate it. If it's buried under tons of stuff, don't worry about it. So the drawbar is only a 1.5" square. I know it doesn't seem like much.
I wouldn't be towing anything that heavy. I have thought of a small travel trailer, a small boat, or a small to medium size car. I have towed a small car with it before, and that was a bumper mounted hitch...with my old 305. In fact, it was up in Pa. some 30 + yrs ago. I blew an engine and borrowed a friends tow bar to tow it home from the Poconos.
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Front bumper really turned out great, Jim! 
I sure am glad it went to good use, since I was just going to scrap it...
You mentioned a while back that you had gotten some Olds front bumper fillers... Did you get the pieces that go below the headlites as well?
I know they're hard to get, but Kevin is pretty tenacious so I wouldn't doubt that he took them.
If you did get them and since you don't appear to be needing them let me know... they're the last piece I need for mine!
I have a pair from a coupe but they're too narrow. I could section them if I need to, but buying yours sounds like less work! lol
I sure am glad it went to good use, since I was just going to scrap it...
You mentioned a while back that you had gotten some Olds front bumper fillers... Did you get the pieces that go below the headlites as well?
I know they're hard to get, but Kevin is pretty tenacious so I wouldn't doubt that he took them.
If you did get them and since you don't appear to be needing them let me know... they're the last piece I need for mine!
I have a pair from a coupe but they're too narrow. I could section them if I need to, but buying yours sounds like less work! lol
Jack, after having the car apart for so long, and with the internet loaded with pictures, I have come to the same conclusion, that it looks better with the stock plate pocket.
Jack, are we talking about the Class II hitch? I can get it on the ground and snap a few pictures no problem. I think a little travel trailer and like as you are thinking about would be fine. I have towed things on a bumper ball way heavier. lol, not the best idea, but what are you gonna do when you are in a bind?
Front bumper really turned out great, Jim!
I sure am glad it went to good use, since I was just going to scrap it...
You mentioned a while back that you had gotten some Olds front bumper fillers... Did you get the pieces that go below the headlites as well?
I know they're hard to get, but Kevin is pretty tenacious so I wouldn't doubt that he took them.
If you did get them and since you don't appear to be needing them let me know... they're the last piece I need for mine!
I have a pair from a coupe but they're too narrow. I could section them if I need to, but buying yours sounds like less work! lol
Blake, I appreciate the kind words. The way I modified it may now be everyone's bag, but I am really pleased with the results. And I can't thank you enough for hooking me up.
As for the fillers, Kevin did take care of me. I actually never even fit them up. I have to look in the shop and see exactly what fillers I have. There should be 4 right? one for each side, and one for under each headlight. I won't be using them since I tucked the bumper in so close, I like that look better.
Also, are the fillers for the 2 headlight front ends the same as the 4? I think you have a 4 healight front end right?
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