TheSamba.com :: View topic - BBT European bumper kit/reinforcement plates?

Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:19 am

No instructions that I can find on this kit so I am using the workshop manual for reference on install.

Are these plates to large?? They should fit behind the bumper and not be seen from what the manual shows,

Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:52 am

Hey Scott!

I have my OG bumpers with them in place. I am just getting underway this morning. Here is what I can get without moving anything.

It looks like the left side has a tight bolt and the right side has a loose bolt.

Let me know if you need better pictures.

Sat Oct 04, 2025 9:25 am

They should not be visible from the outside of the bumper. I might try putting them in a vice lengthwise and see if I could compress them a bit. I have two sets, one original and one aftermarket, and they both fit slightly off without a bit of tweaking.

Sat Oct 04, 2025 10:47 am

The manual does not show these plates visible outside the bumper. Bending does not do it either... too much material Showing .5 to .6mm. Need to find a stock plate to measure and compare.

Sat Oct 04, 2025 11:07 am

I went out and looked at my bumpers today.

The little indentation on that bracket is oriented on the top side of the bumper to frame bracket.

No part of that bumper support is exposed above or below the bumper when everything is tightened in place.

Sat Oct 04, 2025 11:19 am

The reason I say they need to be bent is that the part where the bolt goes through should be touching the bumper. It does not look like that is happening in the picture you posted.

Here is one with a lengthwise measurement;

I have used the ones sold by Wolfsburg West with no issues. The other thing to confirm is that your bumpers are the correct shape. Some aftermarket bumpers leave a lot to be desired.

Sat Oct 04, 2025 11:54 am

The side profile is very telling!!Needs way more bending. Whoever pressed these out was lazy. Will see what I can do.

Sun Oct 05, 2025 4:04 am

Here's why it does not work.... look at this profile compared to lardawge's photo.

There are a couple of inside bends I cannot duplicate using a vise and large hammer. I am going to halve to find some stock plates and see if that works. Otherwise cutting would also be another option.

Thanks everybody for the comments and assistance!!

Sun Oct 05, 2025 6:26 am

Wow, those are not even close.

Wolfsburg West makes nice ones if you can’t find a set.
https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111707121

Mon Oct 06, 2025 7:33 am

Cutting the reinforcement plate by 8mm (measured at centre point) will also suck in the bottom when all bolted up and corrects the issue. Does not affect the positioning of the blade to any degree that I can see.

Mon Oct 06, 2025 8:34 am

I hate shitty parts! If you want to send them to me, I can reshape them on the press. Or you can pick these up.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2571558

PM me for my address if you want.

Tue Nov 25, 2025 7:51 am

Where did you get the bumper kit and other then the reinforcement plates what's the overall quality ?

Wed Nov 26, 2025 9:55 am

Whomever made those is making junk. Based on what I have observed about BBT quality of their other parts and attention to detail, I am surprised something like this would come from them.

Best to find some originals and restore them. The WW look correct in terms of the shape, but original is... original. Check the fit, then take them to a powder coater and never worry about it again. When I restored mine, I made sure the upper and lower flange made slight contact with the bumper curve to provide that little bit of support.

Wed Nov 26, 2025 8:44 pm

I got the kit from CIP on one of their sales and I don't think they sell them as a "kit" anymore.

Overall quality stainless blades, bumper guards and bumper mounting brackets - excellent

Fitted the front and back bumpers to body... no issues.

The BAD......

The bolts to hold the bumper guards are too long and actually use 2 to 3 threads of the mounting plate in the guard to hold them tight.; so had to carefully tap them thru for bolts to hold properly. Not sure whats up with that.

The bumper reinforcement plates - useless. Got 8 OG used and they are currently with my powdercoater getting overhauled. Took Dan's advice!

Thu Nov 27, 2025 10:03 am

The reinforcement plates in CIP's "BBT bumper" kit do not come from BBT. They are made by someone else. The blades and guards are definitely made by BBT.

Thu Nov 27, 2025 12:23 pm

Sounds good , I just wanted something to dress up my 69 beetle !

Thanks for the info :D

Tue Dec 09, 2025 7:08 am

Correction.

The repro front bumper brackets were about 15 degrees out and had to be bent to get them to fit to the bumper mounts under the hood. These mounts are 22" apart.... not bending had the brackets going from approx. 22" to 15" at an angle which is impossible. With the bending to correctly straighten and get the correct width to the 22"..... I still needed about 1/2 inch to get there. So had to increase the individual slot widths a 1/4 inch on both front bumper brackets to get the proper fits.

Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:22 pm

Did you just modify the most expensive part? Is that a 3 leaf bumper bracket? I am hoping it is only a 2 leaf unit. Messing with you! But do know that those 3 leaf units are not an everyday item. My first set I have owned are on my 54! Pretty cool, hidden gem!

Wed Dec 10, 2025 6:45 am

A 3 leaf bumper bracket is rare? Not as rare as a 3 leaf repro bumper bracket I'm thinking!

Anyway they were long gone as I got this front bumper on the car.

Wed Dec 10, 2025 9:15 am

kintail wrote: A 3 leaf bumper bracket is rare? Not as rare as a 3 leaf repro bumper bracket I'm thinking!

Anyway they were long gone as I got this front bumper on the car.

That looks great! Nice job! Looks like it fit well! Well, after all of the work you had to put into it! Came out sweet. And it looks straight!

Trunk opens - right?