tucking front bumper
I will try and describe how I tucked my bumper, I hope you can make sense of it.
I first removed the re-enforcement and license plate bracket from the bumper. Noting on the forward side of the re-enforcement, there are (hour-glass) shaped pieces of steel, each with 4 studs attached that are used to bolt the the shocks. I removed these two plates. I removed both impact absorbers from the frame. I then noticed, the bolt pattern of the (hour-glass) shaped pieces of steel with the 4 studs had near the same bolt pattern as the end of the frame horns. The width bolt pattern was the same, however the vertical pattern was too wide. However being very close to the same, I found by just slotting the bottom 2 holes down to the bottom of the flange. These plates would bolt up just fine.
I cut as much of the re-enforcement as I dared, leaving only about 5 inches and using 1 mounting bolt on top and 1 mounting bolt on bottom, at each side where the stock mounting surface bolted to the absorbers.
With the grill removed, and the bumper filler end pieces removed. I positioned the bumper on the front of the car, centered side-to-side and just below the headlamp doors evenly on each side, also adjusted the pitch of the bumper to flow with the lines of the car. With the bumper positioned where I wanted it, I then tack welded each (hour-glass) piece of steel with the 4 studs to the pieces of bumper re-enforcement. I then removed the bumper and fully welded the (hour-glass) pieces to the re-enforcement.
I then simply bolted the bumper to the flanges on the frame horns.
I also discarded the license plate holder, and simply drilled the bumper and screwed the license plate directly to the bumper.
As far as the hood release, until I come up with a better idea. I trimmed about 3/4 inch off of the release lever, so it would clear the bottom of the bumper. I do need to use a pry-bar or additional leverage to aid in releasing the hood.
May I say; ProNova I have always admired your car, I think it's BADDD ASSSS!
