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Project removable "one piece" front end using factory bumper and fenders
Was inspired by the 275 buildup thread in this section so I decided to take a crack at making a "one piece" front end using OEM parts and pinon hood. I just started on it this past weekend while snowed in during the blizzard of 2010
Using a VFN 5" sloped pin-on hood (extended to the windshield)
As a starting point, I used a VFN fiberglass front end mounting kit (comes with the necessary brackets and tabs...easier than building from scratch)
here it is mocked up on the ground:
Note the clecos...they are holding the front attachment plates. Here is a picture from the back side. The bar that goes across the bumper is what holds the front in place (this is the bar held in with clecos in the previous picture)...this bar locks it in place both up/down and side to side. The small bar in the back is just for mockup...keeps the back of the fenders at the proper distance.
These are the plates that the front bar interlock with
Now its time to cut a sh%t ton of metal out of the front My plan is to use some chromemoly to make supports for the fenders (and for the hood dzus tabs) and to use some small tubing to make supports for the OEM headlight covers
Was inspired by the 275 buildup thread in this section so I decided to take a crack at making a "one piece" front end using OEM parts and pinon hood. I just started on it this past weekend while snowed in during the blizzard of 2010
Using a VFN 5" sloped pin-on hood (extended to the windshield)
As a starting point, I used a VFN fiberglass front end mounting kit (comes with the necessary brackets and tabs...easier than building from scratch)
here it is mocked up on the ground:
Note the clecos...they are holding the front attachment plates. Here is a picture from the back side. The bar that goes across the bumper is what holds the front in place (this is the bar held in with clecos in the previous picture)...this bar locks it in place both up/down and side to side. The small bar in the back is just for mockup...keeps the back of the fenders at the proper distance.
These are the plates that the front bar interlock with
Now its time to cut a sh%t ton of metal out of the front My plan is to use some chromemoly to make supports for the fenders (and for the hood dzus tabs) and to use some small tubing to make supports for the OEM headlight covers
that looks good.have you seen the gold ohio boy ta he has same thing but did it alot differet(smaller tubes)his was light also.
Couple round bar pieces to a flat tab that runs alotn the bottom, trim the "flap" that used to go up to the stock bumper support, and it should be nice and solid.
Pretty cool trick, making the whole nose come off as one piece like that. I assume, that you can get away with that for classes that say "no one piece front ends", because it's made from the stock body panels correct?
Couple round bar pieces to a flat tab that runs alotn the bottom, trim the "flap" that used to go up to the stock bumper support, and it should be nice and solid.
Pretty cool trick, making the whole nose come off as one piece like that. I assume, that you can get away with that for classes that say "no one piece front ends", because it's made from the stock body panels correct?
its not a one-piece front end...its simply factory stuff mounted a bit different...
Looking forward to your progress and finished product. VERY cool idea, but what is the advantage to making it removable? On a tube chassis I can see access to everything, but on a stock type chassis won't it still be enclosed by the strut towers? Are you only looking for a ton of room up front for turbos, piping, fuel cell, etc.?