My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

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Slownrusty
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My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

After several weeks of trial and error, this weekend I finally completed the design and fabrication of an elegant solution to tuck our (awful) US bumpers so they protrude the same as the Euro. I made new brackets out of 6061 Aluminum and it also saves about 15-lbs while still being strong, certainly stronger than the flimsy mounts that you see on Euro cars.

What I came up with is a 100% bolt-in plug and play option, that does not require any modifications to the car. My motto or mantra has always been "let the parts fit the car, NOT the car fit the parts!!"

I posted this on the Facebook Group and had a few people already reach and ask if I could make them a set, but I am not a shop, just a guy working at home. It’s probably not economical for me to make these and sell. It will take an entire weekend to make a set and I doubt anyone will want to pay me for 10+ hours of my time.

With front and rear Euro bumpers costing north of $5k (if you can find all the pieces), this is certainly an option.
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Finished Rear Bumper 1.JPG
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Finished Rear Bumper 2.JPG
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

And the front:
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Front Bumper After Tuck.JPG
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Jlc »

Do you have a pattern for them?
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by GRNSHRK »

True, we're gonna need to see "just a bit" more details there, Yasin [-o<

I would also like to see how much gap is remaining between the bumpers and side surrounds :-k
:mrgreen:
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

Yes I do. It's in Solidworks and as it is my design that took weeks to finalize, I'm not sharing it.
I hope that does not come off sounding crappy but I know it can be copied and then knocked off.
It has happened to me in the past on a Porsche Turbo product and so I learnt my lessons that time around.
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by GRNSHRK »

Fair enough :-"

Any pix of the finished product from the sides or front so that we can see the gaps \:D/
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

Again, I hope my reply does not sound like me coming off sounding like a Dick. As I love sharing and helping the E24 community.

Literally within minutes of me posting on the E24 Facebook I had guys messaging me asking for detailed pictures and measurements of my mounts and I immediately knew what they were up to.

From the side, everything looks really good, I will take some more pictures this week and update this thread. The front is about 75% complete, but before bed last night I found another 3/8" where I might be able to tuck that front bumper just a tad bit more...so more to come on that.

I am going to make a new bumper header panel out of aluminum and powder coat it, body color, I think that will look super slick. Maybe I can persuade my biddy to let me use his Plasma table for a few hours after work one evening.

Thanks,
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by hornhospital »

Nicely done, Yasin!

I have to wonder why, if you aren't going to produce the needed parts for others to tuck their bumpers, you won't share the details? "Sharing and helping the E24 community"? :-k

Maybe you intend on selling the details to someone who will offer the parts commercially. I can understand that. It's your work and your "intellectual property".

Now, I hope I don't sound like a dick. No disrespect intended.
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

None taken Ken and thanks for a straight reply! Appreciated.

I am only a few precious years away from retirement and I've always wanted to do something like this during the "golden years". I will have the time to put these into production then and so I am excited about that prospect.

I guess the only problem is I am dreaming up projects faster than I can execute!

Laughing.
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Jlc »

Slownrusty wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:21 pm Yes I do. It's in Solidworks and as it is my design that took weeks to finalize, I'm not sharing it.
I hope that does not come off sounding crappy but I know it can be copied and then knocked off.
Certainly not. You spent a lot of time and effort in a labour of love and I don't blame you for not wanted to be knocked off. A very reasonable stance.
It has happened to me in the past on a Porsche Turbo product and so I learnt my lessons that time around.
I hope you decide to make and sell them. In the meantime, the final look is great.

One request - can you post a side shot of the front?
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

Jlc wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:40 am
Slownrusty wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:21 pm Yes I do. It's in Solidworks and as it is my design that took weeks to finalize, I'm not sharing it.
I hope that does not come off sounding crappy but I know it can be copied and then knocked off.
Certainly not. You spent a lot of time and effort in a labour of love and I don't blame you for not wanted to be knocked off. A very reasonable stance.
It has happened to me in the past on a Porsche Turbo product and so I learnt my lessons that time around.
I hope you decide to make and sell them. In the meantime, the final look is great.

One request - can you post a side shot of the front?
Thank-you for your understanding.

This weekend, I will definitely post some side shots and keep everyone updated, as the front bumper is really about 75% complete.

Looking forward to updating everyone then.
Cheers,
Yasin
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Sbeaud »

Yasin --

I agree with the comments supporting your plan. It's understandable that you would like to be compensated for the work. I liken it to the M-wrench fix that many bigcoupe folks have purchased. Keep the updates coming!

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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by 86_6series »

I wound up doing a World Bumper Swap. Bought the complete swap from a part out.
Bumpers, shocks, & corners. Had them sprayed Bronzit Beige. Bought new air dam, rubber inserts,
brackets & fogs. Only fabrication was one additional hole drilled in lower quarters. Everything else bolted right up.
Painted the bumpers black instead of re-chroming.

Was a lot easier than Euro Bumpers, I like the look of the World over the Euro.
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by 635sharknose »

When I first did the tuck on my US bumpers, I managed to close the gaps on the side and top perfectly. The top can be solved by grinding out the bottom of the top cover. I managed to close the gaps on the sides by exchanging the license plate holder for a wider Euro license plate holder. After that I moved the rubber strips next to the license plate holder outwards. The thicker rubber which was originally in the corners then closed the gaps.

Later I did exactly what Bob did, the world bumper swap. I'm a big fan or the 80s look of world bumpers :D
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

The world bumpers look good, definitely a significant design improvement and evolution over the US bumpers prior to '87
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by sauber »

I also played with the bumpers and I am happy with the result :wink:
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by 635sharknose »

Such a beautiful car!! 😍
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

Good job Sauber, looks sharp and very clean.

Did you tuck yours by compressing the shocks or new mounts?
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by anchored »

I went with the drill and back into the wall approach. worked well.

I modified some world bumper side pieces to fit to. just the tiniest amount of grinding needed.

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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

Anchored - So you're running the Euro front bumper and compressed hybrid World Series Rear Bumper?

As mentioned in my first post, another small benefit of my aluminum mounts is about 15-16lbs of weight is saved, as those shocks (3 in the rear; and 2 in front) are heavy.

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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by sauber »

Paul thanks again!! O:)

Why did I change the bumpers? Because Paul poisoned me in the link below. That was my main guide for the front bumper. For the back, I used my imagination :D

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31243

Yes,I tuck my bumpers by compressing the shocks, front and backs. I also cut both aluminum bumpers on the upper side. But I didn't cut the side plastic covering at the back. I just warmed it up and changed the shape. It was very easy and It fits perfectly and looks like the original.

Of course, the second option is also the one presented by Slownrusty. =D>
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by anchored »

Slownrusty wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 12:46 pm Anchored - So you're running the Euro front bumper and compressed hybrid World Series Rear Bumper?

As mentioned in my first post, another small benefit of my aluminum mounts is about 15-16lbs of weight is saved, as those shocks (3 in the rear; and 2 in front) are heavy.

Yasin
I am. I was on 87' US front and rear. Converted to euro front but I only had an early euro rear so I didn't bother.

I actually like the look of this set up. I would be down to replace the brackets.
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

8+ hours later, the front is finally finished. This was way more work that I anticipated as I had to re-work all the spoiler brackets to make them fit and tuck nicely under the bumper.

You guys were wanting the side profile, picture below.
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Front Bumper Tucked 4.JPG
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by 635sharknose »

You forgot to install the top cover plate Yasin :D
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Re: My Solution To Tuck The US Bumpers Give That Euro Look - Pics

Post by Slownrusty »

Paul - I was wondering who was going to catch that...great eye!

After much debate I decided to not install it, as it serves no real purpose except as a filler panel for the US bumper an the body of the car when they stick out for a mile. I also like the look of the chrome or polished finish on the bumper surface. Notice on the rear there is also a thin long rubber strip that sits above the bumper that comes with the US bumper package and I was able to omit that as well, again, it shows off more of the polished bumper surface.

Not missing this old look:
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or this!
Front Bumper Before Tuck 2.JPG
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