Are fiberglass bumpers any good?

[#1HotRod]

Considering a front fiberglass bumper. Do they have a nice factory fit & appearance? I understand it would have to be sanded & painted but concerned concerned they may come not straight/wavy & may look cheap &/or bad fit. I had called Kirban's & tech said high & low spots need preparing/sanding- making me question quality. Don't think I've seen one in use to compare with. I would probably also attach the rubber bumper guard to remain stock appearing - is that a pain to attach (guess I could cut off the dimples & attach with glue?).
Also, are the alum. brackets direct replacement for bumper shocks, or other mods needed?
Thanks.

 

[TurboTnZ06]

They take some work to fit. They have to be drilled to fit to the bumper shock brackets. Also fitting the front lights is a pain. The trim pieces didn't fit mine so I just have lights bolted in with no seal around them. I would say glass bumpers are for racecars not streetcars.

 

[K Beauchamp]

I had a set, had them on and did not like the flimsyness of them. I then took a stock set of bumpers and smoothed them. Much better looking and safer.

 

[toofastforyou]

Considering a front fiberglass bumper. Do they have a nice factory fit & appearance? I understand it would have to be sanded & painted but concerned concerned they may come not straight/wavy & may look cheap &/or bad fit. I had called Kirban's & tech said high & low spots need preparing/sanding- making me question quality. Don't think I've seen one in use to compare with. I would probably also attach the rubber bumper guard to remain stock appearing - is that a pain to attach (guess I could cut off the dimples & attach with glue?).
Also, are the alum. brackets direct replacement for bumper shocks, or other mods needed?
Thanks.

I have a Kirban's front fiberglass bumper on my GN. The fit is ok and I didn't have any problems installing the lights in them. I also installed an original GM rub strip, which is easily bolted from the back, no need for glue (see picture below)...It gives the car an almost 100% accurate original look! (I say "almost" because it does not have the "bumperettes"...)
Hope this helps...

Claude. :smile:

P.S: That bumper will soon be replaced with a GBody Parts fiberglass unit, but this time without the rub strip for a smooth look...

 

[#1HotRod]

Thanx 2Fast...I was resigned to stay with metal bumper. Looks good in pic...does it look similiar 'nuf to rear bumper that bystanders can't immediately tell difference? Was preparing/painting a problem...no obvious wavy spots (I'll probably have shop do for me)?
I gather from entry that rubber strip bolts to bumper...is aligning the holes or etc a pill?
I may attach the bumperetts...would that be a problem? Why change to GBody, little better fit/finish? Sorry all the Q's, don't want to order & end up not using it.
Like how car y'r ca plate & signon are the same. Thanx...Ray

 

[toofastforyou]

Thanx 2Fast...I was resigned to stay with metal bumper. Looks good in pic...does it look similiar 'nuf to rear bumper that bystanders can't immediately tell difference? Was preparing/painting a problem...no obvious wavy spots (I'll probably have shop do for me)?
I gather from entry that rubber strip bolts to bumper...is aligning the holes or etc a pill?
I may attach the bumperetts...would that be a problem? Why change to GBody, little better fit/finish? Sorry all the Q's, don't want to order & end up not using it.
Like how car y'r ca plate & signon are the same. Thanx...Ray

Ray, no problem about the questions!...:biggrin:

1° The front fiberglass bumper is so close to the original (especially with the rubber rub strip ) that unless someone notices that there are no bumperettes, it's perfect match with the rear.
2° You have to align the rubber strip and mark where the holes have to be drilled and after they're done, it's just a metter of fastening the strip from the back...
3° I dunno if it would be easy to attach the bumperettes as all the fiberglass bumpers I've seen didn't have any.
4° The only reason I'm changing the bumpers is that I've decided that I'd like the "smooth" look, WITHOUT any rub strip and it's simpler to replace them than having to plug all holes, repainting, etc...
5° Glad you like the license plate! :biggrin:

Hope this helps...

Claude. :smile:

 

[Roger]

Ray, no problem about the questions!...:biggrin:

1° The front fiberglass bumper is so close to the original (especially with the rubber rub strip ) that unless someone notices that there are no bumperettes, it's perfect match with the rear.

I personally know only one person who bought his GN new & it did not have the bumperetts front or rear.

 

[#1HotRod]

Thanks guys, feel much better 'bout trying glass bumper; I'm gonna use the rubber cushion strip to keep it factory looking, maby bumperetts also. Probably get all from BWeavy.

Hay 2Fast, that sure is nice area you live, I loved Montreal few yrs ago. Have relatives very close NW Wa/Canada boarder & it's beautiful there also...a little wet & cold but beautful. I think not as many crazies there also, unlike here in Ca. Goodnight.

 

[davidf]

Mine had FG bumpers when I bought it. I was very nervous about getting bumped. On the upside I did like the smooth look w/out the bumper strips. If it were'nt so costly and time consuming I'd have my steel bumpers smoothed. If your looking to save significant weight, fiberglass is the way to go.

 

[ThatDamGoldCar]

If you really think about it(most on here don't),your bumper is part of your frame.it ties the ends of the frame rail together making it stronger and stiffer,Not a good idea to put a piece of glass in the mix.especially when these things flex enough already..only makes sense..... my .02

 

[#1HotRod]

Glass or metal!

bumper is part of your frame, it ties the ends of the frame rail together making it stronger and stiffer, especially when these things flex enough already.

Oh boy, another consideration .
Perhaps fab a light weight (alum.) bar between front frame rails.

 

[T- Type Tim]

Bought front and rear set of g body bumpers. Take a look in my gallery. A little work to get them looking good , but not too bad

 

[whitehot1]

I thought about putting fiberglass bumpers on the car a few years ago. But after thinking of how bad people drive i decided against it. Safety first,fast second.

 

[#1HotRod]

Hay T-Type, thanx the pix, those look great, all seems to fit up excellent (probably better than factory). Havn't seen the "smooth" look before, looks good. Also a handsome bed- mate you have there.

Whitehot1: I don't think our Mr. President really cares about what the majority feel/want.
Special interests are more firmley in control.

 

[GNBRETT]

For the small amount of weight ur gonna save I just dont see the point in going thru all the drama. Race car absolutely. Street car no way!

If u get rear ended or rear end someone at even 10-15 mph ur gonna crush ur car and destroy ur whole header pannel and grill along with bumper fillers that are close to $1000 to replace if you dont want the junk fiberglass ones.

Not to mention if ur runnen a FM it's gonna get destroyed as well. Get tapped from the rear and you risk ur gas tank being comprimised.

Not worth it imo for a street car but two each his own I guess.

 

[#1HotRod]

Don't ja just hate it when voice of reason arises! GNBrett darn it, I've 'bout always agreed with you on whatever issue & sure y'r right this time.
Reckon I'll have the "ouch" fixed on the orig. bumper. I now have it barely hanging for easy removal. Never worked on bumper before, & it looks like is 2-piece, has an inner portion & seems parking light housing affixes within that inner portion. Do they seperate & can have outer portion repaired (area above Rt. parking lens is dented)? When re-installing can that inner portion be lightened, or omitted? Why is such an easy mod or repair so frustrating? Why do we like old cars & always doing stuff to them, other folks would think us nuts.

PS Brett: Luv the TT's description..."Street Car", right. Let's trade.

 

[Black3]

Unplug the parking lights and unbolt the 4 bolts on each side where the inner support is bolted to the car at the impact absorbers. The whole assembly is heavy so if you're not strong you'll want to have something or someone supporting the bumper before you unbolt it, otherwise you risk trashing your fillers. The parking light assembly is mounted to the outer bumper and you can take those apart when the bumper is out. Once out, the inner and outer assembly come apart easily and you can then have the outer repaired and refinished. The steel supports are heavy, if you want lighter inner bumper supports you can find used aluminum ones from many of the members and vendors here. They look identical to the steel ones that came in the GNs, they're just much lighter.

 

[#1HotRod]

Thanx Black3, that's kinda what I thought while unbolting all readying for removal. Also thanx info 'bout the alum bumper supports (which I figure is that inner piece), sounds like a sane compromise. I'll order fm GBodyParts. At least I won't have to have outer bumper chromed...that is now expensive & a hastle here in Ca (& prob everywhere). I really like powdercoating, but don't think can get right color & shine.
I've beat this to death...I'll call BWeavy tomorrow & complete project.
Love this site, 'though don't contribute often I review it frequently.