Bumper Weight Reduction?

[mr evil]

So I tracked down a rear bumper for my Cutlass. It occured to me as I was hoofing it all the way across the wreckers yard that these things are effing heavy!

I intend to pull this apart and clean it up, so my question is:
Has anyone ever removed/cut out the heavy support except for where the mounts attach?
Think this would be a good idea or would it leave the chrome succeptible to twisting?
Does anyone know of any other method of weight reduction there without compromising the outward appearance of the bumper? other than the alum. support.

Post your thoughts or ideas.....

Edit: one other thing- I read somewhere that dipping tinfoil in Coke and rubbing it on rusty scratches in chrome will transfer the aluminum onto the rust thereby covering it. I chuckled, but do you think it works :shock:

 

[shotgun]

I did exactly what you are talking about on my GP.

I don't remember but got like 40# off the front and 30# off the rear.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

You can also get an aluminum front bumper off of some Cutlass'. I plan to do that for mine, but will leave the steel rear bumper for added ballast.

 

[mr evil]

I did exactly what you are talking about on my GP.

I don't remember but got like 40# off the front and 30# off the rear.

So, no problems then I guess? I mean I understand it takes some of the protection out of it and wouldn't pass a VI, but otherwise no twisting or losing shape?

 

[mr evil]

You can also get an aluminum front bumper off of some Cutlass'. I plan to do that for mine, but will leave the steel rear bumper for added ballast.

Not a snowballs chance in hell of me finding that up here. It took almost a month to find a steel bumper locally. I would have just re-used the original bumper but it was rusted through the chrome and all.

Got bent over for it too, I was sooooooo pissed off. Long story but it's a good thing we can't carry guns around here.