69427
The Artist formerly known as Turbo84
What's the structural reason for that 3/8"(?) diameter rod between the front bumper point and the radiator support on my '69?
Just curious.
Thanks.
Just curious.
Thanks.
Bumper to radiator support rod: Function?
- Thread starter 69427
- Start date
Red
Well-known member
It gives additional support to the fiberglass area between the headlights.
On an early 68, that rod attached from the lower radiator support to the front header that is glassed into the nose. They changed it so that it attaced to the front of the nose support bracket so that it triangulated the support bracket and stiffened the nose.
It's probably only marginally effective however.
It's probably only marginally effective however.
turtlevette
The Turdle
I thought a guy like you would have cut that out a long time ago. Mine went into the scrap bin 10 years ago. Saved 70 pounds getting rid of that heavy tube.
69427
The Artist formerly known as Turbo84
The item I'm talking about is an 18" rod that is about 3/8" thick. (Sixty nines didn't have that big tube.)
69427
The Artist formerly known as Turbo84
I'm inclined to agree with you there. It seems too small to be of any use in compression, and I'm trying to envision some bodywork warping situations that this bar (in tension) would be of help.
I might take it out and weigh it for amusement, and then decide if a slightly different aluminum version might do the same job at a slightly lighter weight.
Red
Well-known member
In addition to supporting the area between the headlights, it also offers some vibration dampening effect. Try leaning on that area of fiberglass without the rod, and you will see it has more give. I wouldn't want any female models sitting on that area without a support rod in place, for example.
After removing the crash bar from my 79, I made a rod to resemble what was used on the steel bumper cars to triangulate with the rear rod. The little extra weight was cheap insurance in my mind. The thought of fiberglass cracking in the headlight corners, or warping from omitting this rod is unsettling to me.
Twin_Turbo
Der Maulwurf
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2008
- Messages
- 7,575
I would leave it in place. The glass is not very thick on these early cars and that rod probably helps a lot more than you'd think at first glance.
mrvette
Phantom of the Opera
I cut mine out very early on when changing out the leaky radiator and fitting the replacement, support outta the car...fitting the first of the electric fans into the OEM shroud also....
that bar has be gone for a long time, and a good thing too, when that Verizon truck backed into the bumper, it would have collapsed the radiator support from the impact....as it was, I wound up with a much easier repair and 2.5K bux in my pocket....
that bar has be gone for a long time, and a good thing too, when that Verizon truck backed into the bumper, it would have collapsed the radiator support from the impact....as it was, I wound up with a much easier repair and 2.5K bux in my pocket....
