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Why not delete the back bumper; save weight
Topic Started: Jan 6 2014, 09:42 PM (1,084 Views)
chapelhilldave
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I assume there is a good reason but I can't find it. It's can't provide much safety when so many cars are so much taller than a metro, it holds no lights or license plate, and it must weigh a few pounds and can't have a meaningful impact on aerodynamics on the 2 door hatch models. Why not delete it?
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Memphis metro


In most states there is a bumper law where a vehicle is required to have one.
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Coche Blanco
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Because what you lose in looks/functionality you don't gain in MPGs.
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nwgeo


I have wondered the same thing? Without the rear bumper would it tend to pull air up to the back end and cause more drag?

Their is a bumper under the plastic isn't there?
Edited by nwgeo, Jan 6 2014, 09:59 PM.
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geogonfa
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Yes...there is an actual steel and foam bumper under the fascia....If you really wanted to get rid of the whole bumper assembly you could fabricate a tube style bumper/push guard like the old vw bugs...

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Or maybe something like this,,,

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sphenicie


the legal definition of "bumper" is often up to the officer or jurisdiction. it is not uncommon to see a 2x4 here in the north. I've even seen a 5-6" dia chunk of branch/tree trunk tied on. that probably wouldn't fly in the lower 1/2 of the state.
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perfesser
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Elite Member - Former Metro owner

There have been some aero mods to the rear bumper, though. Cutting away a portion of the bottom edge of the bumper eliminates what some refer to as the "scoop" and frees the air flow as it exits from under the vehicle.
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evmetro


The rear bumper does not weigh much. If you want to trim weight that much, you could gut the interior. If you like the feel of an incomplete car, you could take off the doors, hood, hatch, and fenders too. If you still need more weight gone, pull the windshield and buy some goggles. Personally, I prefer a complete car...
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Coche Blanco
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A complete car is a good idea. I have regretted gutting my car pretty much the whole time.
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chapelhilldave
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I really like my gutted car. If it wasn't a stick I might remove the defrost and just squeegee but that seems a but insane with the stick and wheel to operate. I've never had but so much luck with rain-x so I think I'm stuck with defrost. I like the ide of removing the under bumper to cut down on scooping but maintain legality, thanks perfesser.
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flea
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I cut part of my rear bumper away on my 98. Because the lower edge of it extends below the body and, I believe, creates what is called the Parachute effect. Not sure how much (if any) benefit it does but just in case I did it anyway......By the way, I've gutted my interior and had it that way for 3 years. It's amazing all of the stuff you can cram in there.
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98chevymetro
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I haven't looked at it but you may be making it worse removing it. It could be holding an air pocket inside of it that is keeping the air going under the car from entering it. Similar to the people who remove the tail gate on their trucks and don't realize the air now flows through the bed rather than over it and they've created more drag and they think heyve improved it.
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