Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Short nose Euro spec bumper install
Forum Index -> Eurovan Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Joshwa
Samba Member


Joined: November 18, 2015
Posts: 810
Location: North Seattle WA
Joshwa is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:45 am    Post subject: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

I met up with Rob a couple months back to pick up one of the Euro spec bumpers he was selling. He had originally mentioned them in this thread.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=709521

Here's my 93 weekender with his 92 Doka.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The bumper was brand new in the package, so I left it covered until I had time to coat it with Monstaliner to match the rest of the van. The weather has been mild lately, so I could now work on this project.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Here is the extra metal protruding from the front of the metal bumper I need to get to. The extra support for the extended original reinforced plastic bumper.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


70+ spotwelds to drill out. I was impatient/lazy and didn't buy a a proper spot weld bit. So I drilled out the spots in steps with 4 sizes ending with 1/2", which was my largest bit. I wasn't very consistent at my drill depth and sometimes went all the way through the metal. After thought is that I should have drilled through on the topside with at least a small hole to keep water from puddling in the dishes where I didn't go all the way through. This can still be done later.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


At 1/2", if there is still a little metal attached around the spot weld, it will pop with a little wedging. For the top, you can wedge the outer edges. The center area between the lights, can be popped with chisel/rod/long spike from underneath, through a few larger holes, seen below. The underside is clear to wedge along the length of the spotwelds. Once all the spots are broken. the extra metal comes off easily.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


There are a couple places that I could not drill due to obstructions. Just on the topside. The last spotwelds at each end and the spotwelds under the fingers that support the radiator in the service position.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Upon revealing the original bumper, you'll find that there are no nuts welded to the backside of the bumper metal, to use to bolt the bumper on. I think a rivnut would be ideal. Or if you had the whole bumper off, you could weld some nuts on. I opted to fish some 5/16 x 3/4" bolts through in the reverse direction, holding them in place with some (star?) washers. I fished them through the larger holes on the face of the metal bumper. There wasn't any easier access from the bottom or backside. The length of the bolt worked out perfectly and was able to get the caps on, covering them easily. Also, there were already holes in place to accept the plastic bumper support.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The old bumper

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The new Euro spec bumper in place.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
Weekender rear cot
Late model cabin air filter on 93
Euro spec bumper install on 93
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
chrslws
Samba Member


Joined: April 02, 2018
Posts: 15
Location: Central Texas
chrslws is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

Looks great! A little less like the front end of a fire truck.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member


Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12103
Location: Port Manteau
Zeitgeist 13 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

That's a very clean look. I'm not sure how I feel about removing crumple zone material, but I assume this treatment is only available on the short nose vans, so it's a moot point. My wife's accident two years ago collapsed both front and rear bumper supports, which no doubt was the difference between a relatively easy fix and a complete total.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
wildenbeast
Samba Member


Joined: April 04, 2008
Posts: 680
Location: Colorado
wildenbeast is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:02 am    Post subject: Re: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

One nice thing about this bumper that I didn't see mentioned is that you can now easily install the stock European fog lights. On the North American bumpers, it would require custom mounting to get the fog lights to fit properly (otherwise they are recessed behind the N.A. bumper too far to be an effective fog light). I had all the parts at one point but sold them when I figured this out. I remember it being less than $200 to source the lights, switch, and wiring harness.
_________________
- Bill, '93 Eurovan Syncro Weekender (2.5 manual ACU)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
januwan
Samba Member


Joined: January 13, 2010
Posts: 6
Location: SF Bay Area
januwan is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

I got the wrong bumper and would like to attempt this modification. How does it perform after two years? Is this just drilling out spot weldings or something more than that? How much time does it take to complete this modification?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Joshwa
Samba Member


Joined: November 18, 2015
Posts: 810
Location: North Seattle WA
Joshwa is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 2:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

I don’t recall how long it took me. You only need to drill out the many spot welds in order to remove the extra metal, then you can slide on the Euro bumper cover. Just as written above, you will to account for the missing captive nuts when securing it.
_________________
93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
Weekender rear cot
Late model cabin air filter on 93
Euro spec bumper install on 93
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
postjosh
Samba Member


Joined: November 20, 2017
Posts: 135
Location: NYC
postjosh is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 2:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Short nose Euro spec bumper install Reply with quote

looks great! that's good to know about the fog lights. seem strange because there is a cutout for them on the north american bumper.
_________________
'93 EV Wkndr – 5 cylinder – 5 speed - 280k+ miles
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Eurovan All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.