If you can get a grinder/cut off wheel in there, I'd try that first. This should have been posted on my what previous owners have done to your car. LOL
Stan

 

Thanks Stan. I'm going to document all the crap they've done. When I got the car originally (at 16) they had, I #@!# you not, put garden hoses from the transmission to radiator for cooling lines.

 

I agree. I would grind the brackets off with a small disc grinder. There's an old saying about when your tool is a hammer most things look like a nail.

Some people seem to think welding is the quick answer. They even get a fender close and weld the darn thing!

Slim

 

I have seen garden hose used in lieu of heater hose and transmission cooler lines, but welding the front bumper brackets??? That takes the cake lol. I think you will be getting aquainted with a cutting wheel in your very near future.

 

bet u find part of a broken bolt after u grind that off leaving you the choice of replacing the outer portion of the frame rail-is this really that big a deal-who is going to inspect this and report to the highest authority?im really just yanking ur chain-sorry. wes

 

That'll take FOREVER with a cutoff wheel. Quick job for the cutting torch.

 

A lot of us don't have a cuttling torch. Cutoff wheel maybe a minute each weld.

 

TORCH ! cut them in half where you have room then remove welded frame parts when fenders are off .

 

I've read about people welding on the bumper brackets before. Uncommon, but it’s been done before. There is even an episode of ‘overhauling’ with chip foose that they had a Mustang with welded brackets. Those shows are interesting, but never enough detail!

 

If you know someone that has or can rent a plasma cutter that will do a very neat job. Much more so than a cutting torch. A combination of the plasma cutter and a 5" angle grinder really would make short work of the problem. Don't get discouraged, there's far worse things to have to tackle.

 

A member here, aolshove has a good blog spot www.68Vert.BlogSpot.com and it shows a good repair on that front rail along with bumper bracket attachment.

 

Well. I have a torch, plasma cutter, 4 1/2" grinder and a 3" die grinder with a 1/32" thick cutoff wheel. The diegrinder and cutoff wheel would be my choice. Just score the welds good and a hammer and chisel should bring them off without excess damage to anything else. Only real problem I see, is if they did plug weld to a broken bolt. There I would grind flat and see how it goes.

 

Awesome, I really appreciate all the suggestions. I need to pick up an angle grinder anyways for the future welding projects so I may try that first. I did run into a friend last night who has a plasma cutter and offered to help too. The only thing that makes me twitch a bit is not seeing it used before...esp around my frame haha.

Yelo, it's funny you posted that link, I've been reading his blog the last couple weeks and was really happy to read about his front rail replacement.

How much "adjustment" is there bumper side for alignment? I figure I'm going to have to do the replacement with FRAME PATCH rt front at Bumper Brackets 1964-1970 | CJ Pony Parts but would at least like to get the brackets off so I can get to cleaning the aprons etc. If I cut that outer piece off do I need to weld the replacement in right away? Not sure how much weight/structural support the outer holds.

Thanks again, you guys are a huge help!

Jeremy