Ok, I am in the process of updating my lights to modern halogen housing/bulbs on my '68. I will also add the relay kit when I wire in the new connectors. Anyway, as I was disassembling the bumper and grilles, I realized my car was missing some hardware and brackets. I ordered everything I was missing from Ames (grill reinforcemnets on backorder ). But I have a couple of questions:

1. Have you guys mounted the bumper first, and then fit the grilles inside the holes? That's the only way I can see the upper bolts fitting if they are supposed to point up (the ones on my car pointed down and were pushing on the grille pieces)


2. My car only had 1 of the gusset bushings. I ordered the mate for the other side, but not sure about the mounting. I have a washer and nut on top of the gusset on the side that is on my car, but nothing on the bottom of that bushing. Is it just another washer and nut on the upper header panel? Or is there another bracket I need. The service manual doesnt show much in this area. Pics would be great if handy.

Thanks

It's easier if you assemble the bumper and grille off the car.
Hope these pics help

Ok, I could not manipulate the grill to go inside the bumper with the bumper installed. I also can not get the upper outboard bolts into the bumper with the grille installed. So I plan to slot the bumper square holes to the rear of the vehicle so that they are U shaped. I can then load the outer bolts into the upper panel, install the grille pieces, then slide bumper into place and capture the pre-installed bolt heads. All the other fasteners I can get to after the grille pieces are installed.

Has anyone else had this issue where they can't get the outer bolt in?

Colo,

Thanks for the pics. I posted the note above before hitting refresh so I hadn't yet seen your posting and the pics.

Will the whole assembly go on with the valance panel still attached or would you remove it first?

you have to assemble the all of the front bumper including the top panel minus the brackets together. the brackets should be mounted to the frame and then the assembly should be installed to the brackets with it slightly loose to install the plastic fillers on the sides of the bumpers. tape it all and watch out for the valence when tilted it will come close to it so use foam around that area.

Thanks, I tried to take the whole thing of in one piece but had to remove one frame bracket. There was three of us. I'll try your way on the way in. Any idea what size bolt attaches the filler to the top of the bumper bar?

Do you happen to have a picture showing how the extensions mount.

Thanks in advance.
Will