Well after procrastinating for weeks I finally got my tucked rear bumper installed. Been a busy weekend for me. The fit isn't quite as good as I would have liked so there will be some body work done when the Elky gets painted but what are you going to do. For the most part I'm very happy though with it. Now I just need to cut the exhaust pipes. 8O

http://www.poltergeist.us/page/Elky/Exterior/Pics/Bumper_Back_Passenger.jpg

The mod that took me so long was getting the Impala license plate drop centered just right and getting plates lights that would work without getting hit by the plate. I wound up finding some bolts that have light built into them. Since they hold the plate on they move with it so will not get in the way. I did this mod so that later I cut a hole behind the plate for access to a trailer receiver for towing.

http://www.poltergeist.us/page/Elky/Exterior/Pics/Bumper_Plate_Down.jpg

Neat plate setup.

Very ingenious...I like it! :) Now I'll have to reconsider my plans. Keep us updated with pics on the hitch installation. I was cosidering the ZR1 roll pan with the plate mounting also but was concerned about mounting a hitch. Do you think the plate will clear the hitch enough when in the down position? Will you be using the fiberglass tailgate or modifying the original to remove the plate pocket? I like the idea of using and modifying the stock steel tailgate rather than going with the fiberglass, worried that someone might step on the glass tailgate (just as I catch them and yell "Don't step on the tailgate" to late) when in the down position and crack it.

hey i really like that.. ive never seen that done before.. where abouts do you pick one of those bumpers up at, and approximatlly how much???

John

theelcaminofactory

If the hitch receiver that I have doesn't clear then a custom one will. :lol: I've towed before with the Elky and just because of what I'm doing to it now I'm not going to stop. It is a truck after all. ;) I currently plan on modifying the original gate. I'm with you in that I like the idea of having something solid to stand on etc. I am going to have to get a new outside skin for it though. There are some creases along the top on the 'body lines' (don't know what to call them) that I was told before would be very hard to remove and make look right.

outlawniteridr

I got the bumper from Lauren Engineering. Here is the link to where the ZR-1 bumper is. http://www.laureneng.com/flash/page06.html They have a lot of nice body parts for G-Bodies. Cost was $310 but I got a 10% discount because I bought 3 items at one time. Front and rear bumper and the lower air dam. Cost might be kind of high but you can't beat the look.

I did change the wiring of the lights a little. All 4 lights come on with the brakes. And both lights on each side blink for the turn signals. The original sockets that I got would have had the 2 center lights as park lights only.

I like it, please keep your project updated with pics. I too plan on using my Elky for towing...my other Elky.

That's really cool, Rob. One other thing you might check out for lighting is www.visibolts.com, as they offer stainless steel bumper bolts in a variety of configurations, and these bolts have white, red or amber LED lites in them. Since they don't have to be used just for bumpers, they could also be used, for instance, in the lip-overhang area of your bumper for illumination of your plate if you ever get tired of the current configuration.
I'm going to use some in my '71 if I ever get beyond the engine-trans-suspension installation. :D

What are you going to do about back-up lights?? They are required in my state for inspection.

No state inspection here, just smog checks. If I had to I could hide a few lights under the bumper.

El Camvette 71 - where were you a few weeks ago when I was trying to figure out what to do abouts lights??? j/k Those may wind up on there some day. I have not had a chance to see how well the ones I have work in a dark area yet.

looks nice! i've always liked those! got any pics of the rest of the truck?

There are a ton on my site. www.poltergeist.us follow the link on the left to the El Camino then Pics.

That looks great! Are you modding the tailgate, or buying a custom one?

looked at your site...nice car! i had a question though... do you still have the lug nuts from the turbine wheels that were on it before the new wheels? i have a pair of those wheels i want to put on but i cant seem to find the right lug nuts. if you have them could you post a pic?

That looks great! Are you modding the tailgate, or buying a custom one?

I want to use the original tailgate as much as possible. I need a new outer skin but I'll have to wait and see.


silver_79_elky

Here are the old ones. They are almost as old as the Elky. They might clean up but I could make no promises. If you really want them let me know and I'll just send them to you. They are useless to me. Old junk (http://home.ix.netcom.com/~rob.hagg/tempimage/old.jpg)

Looks great man! http://www.scaldinghot.com/Boardpics/nodder.gif