Bumpers

[Paddy]

Now that I have the 3A down to the frame I'm looking at the bumpers and am trying to decide whether to remove/replace them.  They aren't in horrible condition but they have some bends in them, and I'm not so sure I'm going to be thrilled looking at them when most everything else eventually looks new.  Removing doesn't look too hard, ie cutting the stud rivets but what's the option for replacing the bumpers with something that reproduces an accurate appearance for the stud rivets?

[Carls_jeep]

You could use carriage bolts and grind off the square part under the head. The round head would look a lot like a rivet head.

[calvinhunt]

That's exactly what I did. �Because the carriage bolt was cadmium plated I chose not to paint it (That is a throwback from the aircraft restoration days. �All plated hardware was left unpainted in the assembly of my Jeep. �All component parts were painted separately prior to assembly). �You wouldn't need to leave it unpainted.  The top bolts and front bolts are carriage bolts.  The bottom bolts are hex head bolts because they are not in view.

[macrisel]

If you get really picky on restoring it, someone has suggested in the past to hit the head of the carriage bolts with a hammer prior to installing them.  This would mimic the slight indention on the original rivets.

Of course, someone in the know will just wink at you and reach behind the bumper and feel for the threads of the carriage bolts to see if they are original..

[mud pie]

I, personally, dislike rivets.  When I ground mine off to replace my front bumper, I replaced them with some Grade 8 bolts.  Bolts, to me, are serviceable, look better, heck, more manly than rivets !  

[RA472A]

The easiest thing may be to use grade 8 cap screws.  You can fill them in with a quick weld and grind to resemble a rivet.  A good hardware store will have them.

[Paddy]

If I could figure out how to post a photo I would show yo what I found.  Mullins Jeep Parts sells an amazing duplicate called Bumper Gusset special imitation rivet set.  It looks fantastic and basically is a special bolt that bolts on and looks like a rivet.  Maybe it meets all the needs, bolts on, and looks like a rivet.

[Bob W]

If I could figure out how to post a photo I would show yo what I found. �Mullins Jeep Parts sells an amazing duplicate called Bumper Gusset special imitation rivet set. �It looks fantastic and basically is a special bolt that bolts on and looks like a rivet. �Maybe it meets all the needs, bolts on, and looks like a rivet.

Those imitation rivets look great but are no where near as strong as a real rivet or even a 3/8" bolt.

[Bob W]

Here they are....

[macrisel]

Wow, how does everyone find stuff like this?!  I am always amazed at the knowledge of everyone here.  Who would have thought...........reproduction rivets!  What do they cost?

[Paddy]

I think the cost is $25.00 for a set of 8.  Not too bad.