Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Technical Discussions - Got a mechanical problem?

Moderator: bajabob

Post Reply
User avatar
theluckyone17
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:20 am
Location: Rexford, NY

Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by theluckyone17 »

I expect to be finalizing the sale of a 2006 Baja Sport tomorrow, but I don't want to jinx it by giving away too much. It looks like it's going to be a sweet ride, as soon as I get it on this side of the country.

Anywho, while I'm waiting for it to ship, I thought I'd start researching some details. First on my list is the rear bumper. It's been modified, as you can see here:
Image.

Looks like a decent enough bumper, and I do like the integrated hitch. The cladding on the sides of the bumper have been removed, though. I figure I have two options to clean this area up:
  • 1. Source a black Baja bumper, cut the area out that is taken up by the custom bumper, secure the rest to the body, then mold/blend in the cladding to match the custom bumper.

    2. Build something to replace & replicate the missing cladding, then find some way to secure it and blend it into the bumper. I have very little welding experience, so if I go for sheet metal as a material, someone else is going to be doing the work. I'm not sure how well fiberglass would work.
Any thoughts?
Onyx: 2006 Baja Sport
hocrest
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:34 pm
Location: Pittston, PA

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by hocrest »

Probably the best bet is to get a stock cover and cut out the center section. To try and Fab your own end pieces with metal or FG would be thought to match the body and attachment tabs.

When you get the truck, I would love to see some detailed pics and some measurements of the bumper. I'm considering making one similar to that, and some more details would be a great head start.
sfeather11
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 157
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:07 pm
Location: Southeast PA (near PA/MD/DE state lines)

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by sfeather11 »

Hey there. check out page 2 of the post in the link below...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1256

If that is a mudrat bumper you have, congratulations! There are only a very small handful of those that were ever made. It looks from the pic in the post that he just sawed of the ends of the rear fascia and put them back on. There are a few other posts on this website that show that style bumper. Search for "Mudrat"... I would kill to have that bumper!

Peace!
Scott
User avatar
theluckyone17
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:20 am
Location: Rexford, NY

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by theluckyone17 »

Hocrest: That's not a problem. Once I've got it, I do plan on taking as many pics of it as I can. I think I'll be shining with pride over this truck so much, you may be able to see the glow from PA. 8). In fact, I've been meaning to take a trip down to Allentown PA at some point... I've heard of a good parts yard down there, though their name escapes me now. If I took 88 and 81 down, I'd be just about passing by you. A bit longer drive, but I'd avoid the tolls I'd incur taking 87 instead. You might be able to talk me into driving down and letting you take all the measurements you need.

sfeather11: I've seen Mudrat's work on the front bumpers... didn't know he did rear bumpers. From the pics I've seen, the front bumper is Mudrat's work. I wouldn't be surprised to know the rear one is, too. I won't lie, that's one of the reasons I'm going to the effort to have this Baja shipped out to me, from the west coast. I betcha I'll be the only one in NY state with those bumpers. If not the only one, then one of the very few. :D. If I die from natural causes, maybe I'll will it to you. Otherwise, good luck :P

Looks like I'll be hunting for a black rear bumper cover. Thanks!
Onyx: 2006 Baja Sport
hocrest
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 183
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:34 pm
Location: Pittston, PA

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by hocrest »

I'm gonna guess you're talking about Harry's in Hazelton. I'm about 1 mile off of 81, let me know when you head down.

I have the mud rat front, but I don't think there are any MR rears on the East coast.
User avatar
theluckyone17
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:20 am
Location: Rexford, NY

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by theluckyone17 »

I think it is Harry's. Name sounds familiar. I'll give you a heads up when I head down... it may be a couple months, though.
Onyx: 2006 Baja Sport
User avatar
Buck Rogers
Scoobytruck Contributer
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:57 am
Location: Vassalboro, Me

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by Buck Rogers »

+ 1 for sfeathers suggestion, this idea would dress it up real nice. Next you'll need to add a "subtle solutions" 1" strut lift, and you'll be styling :D

Buck



http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/ ... bumper.jpg
baja_gernaut
Scoobytruck Contributer
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:38 pm
Location: South Jersey

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by baja_gernaut »

Buck Rogers wrote:+ 1 for sfeathers suggestion, this idea would dress it up real nice. Next you'll need to add a "subtle solutions" 1" strut lift, and you'll be styling :D

Buck



http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/ ... bumper.jpg
I think that Baja has a lift because another photo shows some extreme space in the front of the car unless it has some shock that we don't know about.
User avatar
theluckyone17
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:20 am
Location: Rexford, NY

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by theluckyone17 »

This one?
Image
I can't tell. I think the right front wheel is just sitting in a depression. The rest of the wheel wells look normal, to me. I don't know whether I could pick out a small lift (1"?) by eye, though. Add one more reason for me to get impatient while it ships. I want to solve the mystery of the possible lift (Scooby Doo, where are you? :lol: )
Onyx: 2006 Baja Sport
bajamudd
Scoobytruck Master
Posts: 120
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 6:03 pm

Re: Neatening a Custom Rear Bumper

Post by bajamudd »

Buy a 1" subtle solutions lift, i out one on my 03 baja. You can also buy springs from an 05 baja and you will gain another inch
Post Reply