Tired of ripping your SRT front off with curbs??? SOLUTION HERE!!!

[Daniel454]

STOP RUNNING OVER CURBS!!!!!



No Seriously... Only about 2 weeks after doing the R/T to SRT front bumper conversion on my Mag, I pulled up just a little too far... When I put the car in reverse, I heard a VERY bad sound... The sound of ripping and plastic hitting the ground! I get out to find that my entire, BRAND NEW front bumper had been 95% ripped off!!!

After doing a few searches on here I found this was fairly common... Made me feel a little better, but still annoying. Additionally, when we bought the wifes 300SRT8 I found the belly plastic completely gone and ripped plastic on the bumper, sure signs that the previous owner had made the same mistake, and a sign that not only the Mag, but also the 300 was prone to this "accident"...

So, I found a fix. A sort of UPGRADE if you will... I first used this modification on my Mag, as every one of the screw holes in the front, lower plastic cover had been completely ripped out and rather than pay for a new cover, this served to repair the damage, all while strengthening the system. I later decided this was just as good an idea for new covers as well, to PREVENT the horrible incident all together!

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First, grab yourself a roll of plumbers tape and some aluminum or stainless rivets and rivet gun. You will also need a screw driver and a drill bit. Sorry I do not remember the size of the drill bit but it should be the same size as your rivets, which should also be the same size as the smaller hole in the plumbers strapping. A pair of tinsnips might prove to be handy too!

Remove the lower front plastic panel (the one in between the service panel for oil changes, and your bumper... ) For SRT owners this is the panel that also includes your brake ducts. I do not see any reason this mod could not be performed to non SRT front ends too though...

Remove all of the screw brackets from the plastic panel. this is the hardest part of the ordeal as they are designed to go on, but the teeth will dig into the plastic as you try to remove them. (I had a super thin metal ruler that I pushed in between the teeth and the plastic, once the teeth could no longer grip, they slid right off with minimal damage to the cut out. )

At this point, go ahead and make yourself 7 new brackets with the plumbing strap. 5 will need to include 1 large hole with 2 small holes, one on each side. > small, LARGE, small < The other 2 brackets will only need one small and one large hole. I used tinsnips to cut the strapping but it can also be "borken" by bending it back and forth a few times...

Now, align each bracket on the back side of each hole, with the large hole of the strapping directly over the hole for the screw. Drill a hole on either side of the large hole to align with the small holes of the strapping. Insert a pop rivet into each of the small holes on either side. Once you have installed all of the brackets, simply push the metal screw brackets back over the metal strapping...




IMPORTANT - Insert the rivet from the bottom side... So that the smoother side of the rivet is UNDER the car... This will keep from having any gaps when screwing the bumper to the plastic cover... Also, TRY to center the large hole in the plastic hole as much as possible, this will make it much easier when trying to put it all back together.




The two smaller brackets that were made will be for the outermost screws on either side. Not enough room exists to put 2 rivets in this bracket so you will drill only one hole directly BEHIND the screw opening and rivet the bracket there. (The tinsnips really will come in handy here as you can leave very little strapping material in front of the large hole otherwise the screw bracket will not line up properly.)



Basically what you have done is reinforced each hole to give you not just 1 pressure point but 3, one where the screw is, and 2 with the rivets. This also gets rid of a LOT of the play in this plastic cover and REALLY firms up the entire front end. Even if I never ran over another curb, I would do this mod for that reason alone!






This is not completely FOOL PROOF, but for the occasional screwup, this SHOULD keep that front end on very snug as you SLOWLY back off that curb that jumped out in front of your car!!!! Hope you guys find this helpful!!!

[Motor]

or learn to park away from the curb....that would help 2...which i did with how low i am

[oldschoolhemiguy]

I installed sensors in the front of my car like I have in the back it works GREAT. Not to close in front and not to close in the back. Really good write up.

[bipto]

Not a bad idea, man - thanks for posting!

[Daniel454]

or learn to park away from the curb....that would help 2...which i did with how low i am

Oh I know. And actually I did this mod a LONG time ago just never had time to get pics until today.... But since I ripped it off the first time, and since I did this mod, I have never really even had to test it out yet, havent pulled up too far since... But figure, heck, this is just one of those JUST IN CASE mods, plus I like how it gets rid of some of the "wiggle" in the front end all together.

[Motor]

Oh I know. And actually I did this mod a LONG time ago just never had time to get pics until today.... But since I ripped it off the first time, and since I did this mod, I have never really even had to test it out yet, havent pulled up to far since... But figure, heck, this is just one of those JUST IN CASE mods, plus I like how it gets rid of some of the "wiggle" in the front end all together.

i also learned the hard way have been parking away ever since
nice write up tough

[nhdave]

Good job Daniel! Beans all around!

[ChargerGirl]

I go with two options...

1. Make Marc get out and spot me.
2. Back into the space if there's no one to spot for me.

I've actually found that generally backing in means I'm not sticking out as far from the space. Things you learn in Northern California's compact car country.

[DeafCharger]

Nice fix! I use a front camera set up in lower grill so I can look how close to curbs.

Link - Front Camera & LCD Monitor Installed

[magnumdude]

With my scoop I can't see squat. I followed CG's lead and have Mrs'dude spot me.

[Daniel454]

With my scoop I can't see squat. I followed CG's lead and have Mrs'dude spot me.

Yep, I have had my better half spot me a few times as well, but she isnt always there... I probably should start backing in more though.

[Motor]

I go with two options...

1. Make Marc get out and spot me.
2. Back into the space if there's no one to spot for me.

I've actually found that generally backing in means I'm not sticking out as far from the space. Things you learn in Northern California's compact car country.

With my scoop I can't see squat. I followed CG's lead and have Mrs'dude spot me.

Yep, I have had my better half spot me a few times as well, but she isnt always there... I probably should start backing in more though.

you guys are hilarious

[Daniel454]

for the night crew, I know a few more are out there that have done this, too a feared to admit it huh?

[Guest]

I always have to chuckle a bit when I hear of someone doing this honestly.

My SRT8 is 2" lower than stock and I've never had this issue. I know the size of my car and have never pulled up too far.

You did post a good alternative however and I applaud you for it!

One thing people forget... if you do run up over a parking stump or curb, GET OUT OF THE CAR then reach a leg in and back it up. Reducing the weight in the car might be enough to raie it up a tad and allow you to clear the obstruction! Especially if there are two of you in the car... get everyone out.