Harrington Bumpers help wanted.

[MaximG]

So ok how to start this.

Due to my chrome rear bumper having rust and alignment / bracket issues as a result of the bodywork now being bob on, I decided to invest in some SS bumpers. They arrived a few weeks ago and looked really good. I started at the back of the car and fitted the rear bumper which looks and fits absolutely fine.

The front bumper however was a different story. After a bit of a struggle it became obvious that it was too tight and was impinging of the body work at the ends. Bare in mind I have replaced all the front panels on the car, wings, head light scoops and reverted back to the stock 3 piece metal front valence. So I thought well I had better try my original front bumper for comparison. It fits absolutely perfectly even with the replica rubber blocks that go between the brackets and the bodywork.

So I got a tape measure out and measured the SS bumper from tip to tip on the inside, it came in at 149.5cm. With a little help I then measured my original bumper which came out at 152cm so 2.5 cm difference.

I have approached Harringtons and they have replied stating they have sold thousands with no problems at all.

So I'm asking three thing;

First what other peoples experience has been when fitting Harrington SS front bumpers and second if you complained?

Third could you lovely people measure your own stock front chrome bumpers stating size, year and model. So that's tip to tip from the inside face.

Your help in this would be much appreciated.

Deep Regards,

Michael

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

What they should have said is that they've sold a hundreded maybe and that most people have issues with how they fit.

 

[MaximG]

What they should have said is that they've sold a hundreded maybe and that most people have issues with how they fit.

I have a feeling that might be the case but I think people are more inclined to make them fit rather than complain but we will see I hope.

 

[yellowz]

I have a bumper that came with the car but was not fitted to it. Just measured it at 150cm. It does not look to be kinked or bent.

 

[SeanDezart]

I can do better - I have both types if you can wait 'til the weekend.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I can do better - I have both types if you can wait 'til the weekend.

And me, I'll try to reply with measurements tomorrow morning.

 

[MaximG]

Thanks very much gentleman I knew I could count on you.

 

[Farmer42]

I have the Group Harrington bumpers on mine & the front bumper is a tighter fit than the original.

I had to do away with the rubber blocks on the side bolts and had to do some fettling with the main brackets but they do fit albeit with about 5mm between the bumper tips and the valence/wing.

I just thought that was par for the course as they were non-OEM parts.

 

[MaximG]

I have the Group Harrington bumpers on mine & the front bumper is a tighter fit than the original.

I had to do away with the rubber blocks on the side bolts and had to do some fettling with the main brackets but they do fit albeit with about 5mm between the bumper tips and the valence/wing.

I just thought that was par for the course as they were non-OEM parts.

Do you still have your original bumper you could measure?

 

[Farmer42]

Do you still have your original bumper you could measure?

No, afraid not. It was completely mangled which is why I replaced it. I think it only fitted at the sides because someone had bent the tips in towards the wings and bolted it up to hold it in place. When I released the bolts, the 2 tips sprung out sideways quite considerably.

Sorry!

 

[Fairlineguy]

Just fitted then to mine .Had similar problem with the front it was tight and the end bumper bolt would not aline with the hole in the bodywork.
Just ended up making up a couple of little plates to mount the bumper on each end.
Just put it down to standard copy part fit.
Apart from that they look superb .
You are right to say something to them as with out feed Back they will not know
I kind of thought it might of been my car

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Mike, I've just looked at my cars but it's not going to be easy to get accurate measurements with the bumpers on the cars. I would need to drop a plumb-line from each end and measure across the car under the valance.

I may give it a go tomorrow.

However they both look ok but the Harrington is slightly tighter to the body. I very much doubt if they are 2.5cm different, more like 0.5max if the bodies are the same.

 

[Nigel Brook]

Don't know anything about Harrington bumpers but I suspect that as most S30's have had aftermarket panels fitted, there is inevitably going to be differences like for like. Even the production cars varied.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Don't know anything about Harrington bumpers but I suspect that as most S30's have had aftermarket panels fitted, there is inevitably going to be differences like for like. Even the production cars varied.

I can't see bumper mounting's being 2.5cm out.

 

[MaximG]

Don't know anything about Harrington bumpers but I suspect that as most S30's have had aftermarket panels fitted, there is inevitably going to be differences like for like. Even the production cars varied.

I can't see bumper mounting's being 2.5cm out.

Nigel you may well be correct but the only replica metal bumpers that I know of are the SS Harrington ones. If you are referring to the panels on my car they are all Nissan appart from the sills.

As for the 2.5 cm figure its only what I have come up with and I think the real figure may well be somewhere in between.

I have mailed Harrington's and they seem willing to help, but only if I can prove my point.

So I need some measurements from you good people.

Regards,

Michael

 

[SeanDezart]

Ok, I dropped it seeing Rob was helping out. I'll measure my OEM std front bumpers this evening and when I'm over at the workshop next, I'll measure my Harringtons front.

If there's a problem, I'll contact Christophe also and demonstrate what and how.

 

[MaximG]

Ok, I dropped it seeing Rob was helping out. I'll measure my OEM std front bumpers this evening and when I'm over at the workshop next, I'll measure my Harringtons front.

If there's a problem, I'll contact Christophe also and demonstrate what and how.

Sean that would be much appreciated.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ok I've spent some time this morning taking measurements. I used a plumb-line and marked the floor under each car. I was careful to get the most accurate measurement I can.

So 'ON THE CAR' i.e. bolted-up the measurements were:

Datsun bumper 149.9 cm

Harrington 149.1 cm (and one end is actually touching the body).

Hope that helps with your negotiations Mike

 

[SeanDezart]

I think everybody is right and nobody wrong !

I have two OEM front bumpers here and I'll call 'em A and B.

A interior tip to tip = 152.5cm
A interior of mounting bracket to bracket = 147cm

B interior tip to tip = 149.5cm
B interior of mounting bracket to bracket = 146cm

Smaller width bumper placed above the larger in the photos and centralised as best as possible.

I shall measure my Harringtons early next week when available and report back.

 

[MaximG]

Rob, Sean,

I thank you both for the update and information. Its encouraging to find Sean has a bumper with the exact same measurement as mine.

Rob cripes 149.1 is very small.

As for the OEM sizes I wonder if we aren't looking at possible variation due to markets. I wonder if Alan might have some info that could help?

Mike