Bolt on bumper

Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 08:18 PM

Hey guys,

I've got a 70 Baja that has a newer (not sure on the year) transaxle and I have a bolt on bumper from Chirco. When I hold it up to get an idea of how it fits, it's doesn't seem to go in as far as it should. I started looking and it looks like I have some after market brace extensions to hold the transaxle? What do I need to do to properly and securely install the bumper? I'll try and post some pics. Also, bolting the top end of this bumper into the fire wall is giving me some heartburn. Doesn't seem structurally sound. What are your thoughts?

Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 08:35 PM

Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 09:53 PM

take a pic of the transmission/mount from the side. Parts seem missing to me.

Your concern about the firewall mounted rear bumper is right, it isn't structurally sound if you have nothing behind it, IE a cage. If you do have a cage the common thing to do is either go straight through the firewall and weld to the cage, or sandwhich plates to the firewall, and then to the cage inside. If you don't have a cage in the car, a bumper that ties to the factory shock mounts is much stronger.

Post subject: Re: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 05:27 PM

JWHracing wrote:

take a pic of the transmission/mount from the side. Parts seem missing to me.

Your concern about the firewall mounted rear bumper is right, it isn't structurally sound if you have nothing behind it, IE a cage. If you do have a cage the common thing to do is either go straight through the firewall and weld to the cage, or sandwhich plates to the firewall, and then to the cage inside. If you don't have a cage in the car, a bumper that ties to the factory shock mounts is much stronger.

Thanks. im exploring some weld options that would resolve it but your thoughts confirmed what I was thinking.

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 09:51 PM

I mounted 1/4" diamond plate to the fire wall ....

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 09:54 PM

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 09:57 PM

s1053.photobucket.com/...t=3&page=1

Got rear ended last year.... it did not to a thing to the firewall or bumper but put paint on it.... It looked like I did a lot of damage to the other car..

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:01 PM

it is hard to see but there are SS bolts all the way around the outside of the firewall to mount it to the car... must be about 50 of them.... you can see only a few of them in the photos... but they go all the way around the outside.

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:06 PM

I welded lag bolts to the backside of the mounting plates so I don't need to use a wrench on the inside of the car to get the bumper off. the 4 bolts on the mount are also welded to a 1" plate on the inside of the car and fit between the ribs of the fire wall... so I don't smash the stock firewall ribs.

Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:13 PM

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Here is the bottom side

Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:14 PM

Thanks dalton I'll have a look tonight and maybe have some more questions.

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:14 PM

cap the ends of the bumper so it does not rust from the inside out...

s1053.photobucket.com/...%20project · Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:17 PM

I use stair well caps...

they are cheep and look very nice...

Post subject: Bolt on bumper Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 01:51 AM

I really don't like your transmission mount. Okay for a street car but not for a Baja. Invest ina nice solid mount with a bell housing strap that actually bolts to the mound, and not wraps around the transmission. With the current mount, if you put a bumper on, the motor is going to be lower than the bumper and that means a skid plate is useless. The whole point is to protect the motor with the bumper that means the bottom too

Post subject: Re: Bolt on bumper Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 02:15 AM

JWHracing wrote:

I really don't like your transmission mount. Okay for a street car but not for a Baja. Invest ina nice solid mount with a bell housing strap that actually bolts to the mound, and not wraps around the transmission. With the current mount, if you put a bumper on, the motor is going to be lower than the bumper and that means a skid plate is useless. The whole point is to protect the motor with the bumper that means the bottom too

I'm with ya. I'm really glad I finally got this car but what was sold to me in writing sounded a lot better than what I got. Plus being new to VWs I didn't have the eye I needed to make an informed buy. But I'm only in $4300-$4500 with some major improvements so hopefully I can put a few more grand in it and love this car.

Where could I find a solid mount like you're referring to? Empi sell something good?