Serier III military bumper

[gromit]

I'm still looking for a Series III military bumper to replace my badly bent one.



It doesn't look that bad in the photo but it has deformed around the chassis leg on the RHS (looking from the front)

The brush bar is also bent but will hopefully straighten.


Colin

[Lionelgee]

Hello Colin,

I had a similarly bent bumper bar where a previous owner wrapped a chain around the bar and then must have pulled the car with it.

It took me the best part of a day to straighten it. Initially I used large adjustable spanners and vice-grips to open the channel out. I then got a lengths of hardwood and planed them down so that it was the same size as the original channel. After lots of persuasion with various sized hammers bashing down on a piece of timber to protect the surface bumper bar I got the shape back. Before I could fit the longer lengths of the timber in I used smaller lengths to open out the channel more so that I did not have to distort the larger lengths to fit in for the final finish.

The only thing I could not get perfect was where the chain links tore into the bumper bar's metal. The tear needs to be welded to fill in the gap. I don't have a welder so I left it with the patina of a veteran.

I find bashing metal with a big hammer is good for releasing some pent up frustrations every now and then.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[gromit]

Lionel,
Straightening may be an option but it is deformed around the mounting to the chassis leg on the passenger side (difficult to see in the photo).

Have tried for some time to find a reasonably priced replacement without any luck so may have to see what I can do with it. Anzac day is almost here again and the kids are asking "will you have it ready for the next Anzac Day ?". I think the same question has been asked for the last couple of years.........


Colin

[Lionelgee]

Lionel,
Straightening may be an option but it is deformed around the mounting to the chassis leg on the passenger side (difficult to see in the photo).

Have tried for some time to find a reasonably priced replacement without any luck so may have to see what I can do with it. Anzac day is almost here again and the kids are asking "will you have it ready for the next Anzac Day ?". I think the same question has been asked for the last couple of years.........


Colin

Hello Colin,

Well you have 364 days to get the bumper sorted out now for since you might as well call the 25th of April 2016 just about put into bed. Good things come to those who wait  .

I reckon you could be surprised how forgiving the bumper bar is to abuse while you try to bring back to straightness. I figured I could not make mine any worse, so I did not lavish any gentleness on it.

My bumper was pinched in top and bottom of the "C" channel with the chain tearing into the metal. The whole bumper was bulged out by the pull of the chain. The chain was placed off to one side closer to the passenger side dumb iron bolts so it started to crimp there as well.

Could you really make the bumper bar much worse than it is?


It is always good to work out some pent up frustration with a big hammer and a piece of metal. 

Kind Regards
Lionel

[South65pac]

Personally any Series Bumper will fit.  The bumper (the gal bit) is identical to alllllll the other Land Rover Series 2-3 bumper bars. 

All 4x4 spares in Kotara NSW may have one. Otherwise Four Wheel Drives probably has a new one in stock. Otherwise troll Gumtree and eBay for a Series 2,2a or 3 Bumper.
EG (and I know this link will disappear but its to give you an idea -yep its in UK too)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-SERIES-3-FRONT-BUMPER-SERIES-2-2A/291736842347?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36383%26meid%3D4098978ff1384fdfb2d2c15244b26726%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291006707073

Transfer all the fancy army-type brackets and stuff over bolt it back on ... then you're done.

Cheers,

Ian

[gromit]

Personally any Series Bumper will fit.  The bumper (the gal bit) is identical to alllllll the other Land Rover Series 2-3 bumper bars. 

Unfortunately the bumper on the Military Series III isn't quite the same as the civilian version.
It doesn't have the brackets to mount to the chassis, instead there are 4 bolts holes at the front each side (for the helicopter lift points).

I could buy a civvie one and chop off the brackets but they go inside the top & bottom of the bumper plus there is a plate across part of the back of the bumper each side which would also have to be cut.
I have a secondhand one that I may end up doing this to but would prefer the correct bumper.


Colin

[juddy]

Try the uk plenty there.

[gromit]

Try the uk plenty there.

Did the UK Land Rovers use the same mounting method as the Series III's here ?


Colin

[FFRMAN]

Try the uk plenty there.

Did the UK Land Rovers use the same mounting method as the Series III's here ?


Colin

Nope, but you can simply drill the four holes either side, and cut the original tabs off that civvy ones bolt on ( similar to series 2's)

Cheers.

[gromit]

Nope, but you can simply drill the four holes either side, and cut the original tabs off that civvy ones bolt on ( similar to series 2's)

Cheers.

Thanks, already mentioned doing this as a last resort.
I guess another option is to get one folded up, weld the ends, drill the holes and get it galvanised.


Colin

[South65pac]

And Colin, why not fabricate?

If you're restoring its worth the effort.  If you can't buy you'll need to make it. 

Dennis (dinty) will back me up here, it's part of owning a Land Rover. Make things, fit things, enjoy things.

I wish I had a dollar for all the parts I made for restorations. It's that part that makes it fun.

Cheers,

Ian

[Diana Alan]

I'm still looking for a Series III military bumper to replace my badly bent one.



It doesn't look that bad in the photo but it has deformed around the chassis leg on the RHS (looking from the front)

The brush bar is also bent but will hopefully straighten.

Colin

Typical damage when some bozo wraps a chain around the bumper for towing instead of using a D shackle.

Have you tried using the jaws on a port-A-power to see if you can remove the crimping?

Thanks, already mentioned doing this as a last resort.
I guess another option is to get one folded up, weld the ends, drill the holes and get it galvanised.


Colin

The big problem with fabricating is getting the crank handle hole to look correct.

Using a civvy bar and removing the tabs is a better option.

[gromit]

And Colin, why not fabricate?

If you're restoring its worth the effort.  If you can't buy you'll need to make it. 

Dennis (dinty) will back me up here, it's part of owning a Land Rover. Make things, fit things, enjoy things.

I wish I had a dollar for all the parts I made for restorations. It's that part that makes it fun.

Cheers,

Ian

I have too many projects/jobs lined up otherwise fabrication would be an option.
I have access to someone who could produce the CAD drawings and a company across the road that could cut it out & manufacture but at the end of the day I probably can't justify the cost.

Colin

[gromit]

[/quote]

The big problem with fabricating is getting the crank handle hole to look correct.

Using a civvy bar and removing the tabs is a better option.
[/quote]

I think I remember seeing something in a Land Rover magazine where someone cut out the hole (you know what I mean) from a damaged bumper & welded it into a reproduction bumper.


Colin

[FFRMAN]

Why don't you just buy a civvy 2A bumper, cut the tabs off it that they bolt on with and drill holes through the front to bolt it onto your Army one, then drill holes for the brush bar - it will then be identical.

Sorry if I'm repeating myself but if you did this when first suggested you'd have it done.

Other option is what I do, go buy another army series 3 for parts

regards