Bumper Bracket Mods

[Mike Gaines]

Here are some pixs of my lightweight bumper brackets. Now remember, I am just holding up a fiberglass bumper with these brackets.

Fronts before

Fronts after making them lighter
I did the rears also but my picture wouldn't post,
saved about 18lbs
Note: I absolutely would NOT try to hang regular steel bumpers on these brackets after making them lighter.

THESE ARE THE REMNANTS OF THE PIECES I CUT OUT OF THE FRONT AND REAR BRACKETS.

 

[moparlore]

I like that. I bet my '70 Coronet front bumper brackets and bumpers weigh over 100 lbs. easy. I've been looking at fiberglass, but haven't made the switch yet. Thank you for some inspiration!

 

[LemonWedge]

Looks good, Mike. So did you take the cutting wheel to the stock brackets, or fab up those from scratch?

Edit:
Never mind. I see now that you said you cut the stock ones. Can you offer a little more on how you cut them?

 

[Mike Gaines]

Looks good, Mike. So did you take the cutting wheel to the stock brackets, or fab up those from scratch?

Edit:
Never mind. I see now that you said you cut the stock ones. Can you offer a little more on how you cut them?

Cut them with my handy dandy Harbor Freight $25 electric cut off wheel.

 

[not so famous bob]

Cut them with my handy dandy Harbor Freight $25 electric cut off wheel.

did mine w/ a plasma cutter, can u say swiss cheese ?

 

[Darter6]

Remember the days of the swiss cheese Pontiacs ? It was once said that the Sox&Martin team went as far as removing light bulbs to make their cars lighter.
Nice job Mike !

 

[dvw]

Cabon fiber here, 2.5 lbs for all. Still use the stock bumpers.
Doug

 

[glassman]

Why work so hard and use up all your spare time on making your lightweight brackets when you can buy something that is half the weight of your projects. It just doesn't make cent$. Just call Jeff Linginfelter and he can ship you some next day usually.

 

[66 Sat]

Maybe he just enjoys making things himself, a sense of satisfaction, using brain power and ingenuity. Why buy when you can make, for the cost of a few cut off wheels. Good on ya Mike Gaines!

 

[Mike Gaines]

Why work so hard and use up all your spare time on making your lightweight brackets when you can buy something that is half the weight of your projects. It just doesn't make cent$. Just call Jeff Linginfelter and he can ship you some next day usually.

I would loved to have the money to buy Jeff's aluminum brackets. They look really first glass. buy didn't have the money;

 

[LemonWedge]

Maybe he just enjoys making things himself, a sense of satisfaction, using brain power and ingenuity. Why buy when you can make, for the cost of a few cut off wheels. Good on ya Mike Gaines!

^^^^^^^ THIS is Hot Rodding ^^^^^^^^

Why work so hard and use up all your spare time on making your lightweight brackets when you can buy something that is half the weight of your projects. It just doesn't make cent$. Just call Jeff Linginfelter and he can ship you some next day usually.

^^^^^^ This is buying stuff ^^^^^^^

 

[malex]

Good job Mike!

 

[not so famous bob]

Why work so hard and use up all your spare time on making your lightweight brackets when you can buy something that is half the weight of your projects. It just doesn't make cent$. Just call Jeff Linginfelter and he can ship you some next day usually.

Not so in my case, I run a fiberglass front bumper tho. About the same weight as alum.

 

[malex]

I'm still liking the home made brackets that came out of my garage.

 

[theman440]

I made I own bumper brackets too Mike, out of aluminum.

 

[Cranky]

Well, didn't get my 66 Belvedere down from 3370 to 2950 with the AC still on it for nutin! Man....just got to get it back together some how! I love posts like this! Ya don't have to spend big bucks to put a car on a diet.....

 

[Mike Gaines]

Well, didn't get my 66 Belvedere down from 3370 to 2950 with the AC still on it for nutin! Man....just got to get it back together some how! I love posts like this! Ya don't have to spend big bucks to put a car on a diet.....

Cranky,
PLeaassee give us a list of what you did to got to 2950lbs. My 66 Coronet is at 3500 lbs empty, no driver, no gas....It has fiberglass front fenders, hood & Scoop and front and RR Bumpers. 2 45 lb Optimas and 2 30 lb Recaro type front seats. No back seat. Full Carpeting with Pad. Dana 60 with MonoLeaf springs. Fuel Cell, no gas tank. Regular crank up an down windows and full dash board. Regular Roll Bar, not a full cage. Aluminum Heads and that adds up to 3500lbs empty, no driver, no gas.

 

[Mike Gaines]

I'm still liking the home made brackets that came out of my garage.
View attachment 571167

View attachment 571168

View attachment 571166

Love every thing you have done to that car....first class.

 

[malex]

Love every thing you have done to that car....first class.

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Thanks Mike!
You've got to be lighter than 3500? You sure the scale was correct?

 

[dvw]

Home made is where it's at. I could have never afforded to buy what I built. Building is as much fun as racing it.
Doug