Yankee Express RestoMod Project

[Ghostrider 67]

These guys also did the same thing UGK did with the front bumper by slicing off the diagonal ends and welding them back with a chunk missing so they hug the corner, and also filled the lights in. Another project on my list to do...

 

[Ugk]

I like, I would mod the bumper.

 

[Ugk]

My back bumper is real tight like a door gap. Had to mod the bumper brackets. I haven't taken any pics and it's off right now or I would post some. Takes a little shaping to get body line to match

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Thanks guys, that's my inclination as well. The 70 bumper has a similar curve there that I can cut back some to bring it up another 1/2 inch and then cut down my mounting bracket spacers by 1/8-3/16" to suck it in closer forward too. My hope is to not have it look like I just got a 70 bumper and hung it on there. I want it to look like it not only belongs, but came from the factory with it.

 

[Ghostrider 67]

My back bumper is real tight like a door gap. Had to mod the bumper brackets. I haven't taken any pics and it's off right now or I would post some. Takes a little shaping to get body line to match

And that's also what I must too. The 67 bumper has a little bit different shape along the front edge.

 

[Ugk]

Cut,hammer,weld,bend,pound, mount. Then start over. Bumper mods take time. Worse if your a perfectionist.

 

[Ghostrider 67]

I know, I've had that thing off and on about a dozen times already.

 

[747mopar]

I know all about that, had my rear bumper off and back on a hundred times before I was happy...... then after it got painted it didn't bolt up the same.

I like where your going with this, tight bumpers are sexy!

 

[Ghostrider 67]

That yellow patinaed car is sitting on a full Art Morrison tubular frame too.

 

[Ugk]

I've had mine on and off so many times it's crazy. And they never fit the same twice. It is so nice once you get it tho.

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Oh, have no fear, I will get it right before long. I think i'll cut a metal pattern of the front curve of the 70 bumper and add 5/16ths to the front and top edges and use that to shape the quarter to match the bumper.

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Well, I finally got disgusted with the way it was going on the bumper and sliced out the rear section of the quarter. Took a lot of measurements and made some cardboard( pizza box) templates and cut up some sheet metal. I turned out ok, not great,but ok. Need to grind it off still...

 

[Ghostrider 67]

more...

 

[MarPar]

hammer, bend, pound, mount. Then start over.

reminds me of a girlfriend I had years ago...

 

[Mike67]

reminds me of a girlfriend I had years ago...

I think I knew her too!!!

Ghost there's always more than one way to skin a cat!

 

[MarPar]

I think I knew her too!!!

Ghost there's always more than one way to skin a cat!

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Soo true!

 

[Ugk]

reminds me of a girlfriend I had years ago...

I've had a couple of those myself

 

[Ghostrider 67]

OKay...NOW..i'm happy. Forgot about the remainder of the left front fender I had for the nose section, I cut the new section for the right rear from it and it is pre bent exactly right! On this side I learned and welded it from the inside out...heh,heh. So both sides are done and they don't exactly match but that's okay because nobody can see both sides at once anyway.

 

[Ghostrider 67]

I dropped by Mac Steel in Rutland today and had a chat with the machinist/ fabricator about the lower trunk panel for the Express. I had made one but it was two pieces welded in the center because my sheet metal brake is only 30 inches wide. The piece is 44 5/8ths". He has an 8 foot brake and said if I brought the metal I could use his brake anytime for free. So I went inside and bought an 8" x 48" piece of 20 gauge and had him cut it to length and I marked it up for bending and went to town. Turned out perfect! All in one piece. I also got a piece of the same 48"x 48" to cut the trunk floor piece out of. Should be the very last metalwork I have to do. I hope...