I purchased a 1926 Touring. Came with rear bumper kit which includes the bumper brackets. My question is...Can the brackets be installed without lifting the body from the frame? My first attempt to do this failed. Tomorrow I plan to remove the spare tire and see if that helps. Anyone done this install?
If the kit is a repro, modification of the bracket may be required. I went through this mounting a repro kit to my 26 Tudor. I had to cut the riveted brackets off, (the ones that bolt to the rear cross member) then cut a wedge inboard of where the bracket went to get the forward bolt holes to line up. After doing the mock up, I welded up the wedge cut and installed the brackets with bolts instead of rivets. After the modification, everything lined up. Also with the cross member brackets off they would go into place easily.
Forgot to mention, cutting the wedge allowed me to bend the long bracket for the bolt holes to line up.
Thanks John
Bob,
I just installed a repro set of brackets. The spare gets in the way, had to come off. Did not need to lift the body, but had to do a bit of positioning. A couple of bolt holes did not completely line up. Was able to pull them over with a taper punch. After all installed, found that the whole thing was about an inch off center. Pulled it over with a "come along". The brackets need to be "pre-loaded" to the bumper bars. If you don't have these instructions, please let me know, and I will write them out.
Gene
Thanks Gene. Maybe pictures would help me. My set is for a full bumper. Every way I try the bracket seems to conflict with the rear body panel. I gotta be doing something wrong. It is almost as if the arms don't have enough drop. But for now I assume it is just me.
Bob said "Thanks Gene. Maybe pictures would help me. My set is for a full bumper. Every way I try the bracket seems to conflict with the rear body panel. I gotta be doing something wrong. It is almost as if the arms don't have enough drop. But for now I assume it is just me."
Exact same problem I had. I had to add drop to get the darn mounts in place. That is why I cut wedges out, bent, and once fitted, welded up the cut.
My set is for the full bumper. I bought them about six years ago, and just recently did the installation. There may be another source making them now. I don't know. I didn't take any pictures, as I was using all hands and knees, while on a creeper. I had to touch up several paint scrapes, afterwards. The brackets barely clear the back body panel by 1/8th", or so. A little advice: Before you begin, clean the exhaust soot from the axle/diff. housing. I came out pretty black, in places.
The front brackets were a breeze to install. getting the nuts off of the bottom fender brace bolts, was a bit of a challenge, but everything else worked great.
Gene
Hi Bob, I ran out in the garage and took some pics of the brackets on my 26 touring, hope these help a bit!
den
26 touring rear brackets
Thanks everyone for your help. I think I am getting close to making everything fit. At least one side. I assume I can wrangle in the other side.