HQ sedan rear Bumper

[Innuendo]

I also think bumperettes are a sad excuse. But you need to put some effort in to get a full bar to look and sit right.
The first thing is you need HQ lower tailgate hinges. These allow the bumper to sit higher. To do the job correctly the bumper relief in the quarter panels needs to be reshaped to give an even gap around the bumper. Pinching sections form a wagon would certainly help. Another thing that never looks right is the lip that hangs below the tailgate and between the taillights. This should be trimmed away. If you can't make it look factory - you've failed!

One of these days I'll complete this job correctly to satisfy my own thoughts.

[thatotherguy]

the only vans/utes full bumpers look good on are HR and HTs etc HQ-WB with full bumpers just don't look right in my opinion ,the only good one I have seen was a HZ ute with a colour coded bumper that had been chopped to fit properly

[Valencia]

the only vans/utes full bumpers look good on are HR and HTs etc HQ-WB with full bumpers just don't look right in my opinion ,the only good one I have seen was a HZ ute with a colour coded bumper that had been chopped to fit properly

Have to agree with you Mick bumperettes all the way for me on my HZ van

[Innuendo]

Have to agree with you Mick HQ bumperettes all the way for me on my HZ van

Fixed it for you Gene

That said, if it a real Sandman I'd leave it alone. Outside of that, put those bumperettes in the bin.

[Big Rob]

I also think bumperettes are a sad excuse. But you need to put some effort in to get a full bar to look and sit right.
The first thing is you need HQ lower tailgate hinges. These allow the bumper to sit higher. To do the job correctly the bumper relief in the quarter panels needs to be reshaped to give an even gap around the bumper. Pinching sections form a wagon would certainly help. Another thing that never looks right is the lip that hangs below the tailgate and between the taillights. This should be trimmed away. If you can't make it look factory - you've failed!

One of these days I'll complete this job correctly to satisfy my own thoughts.

I agree with everything you say and one day (before I respray it) I'll cut that lip off and reshape the guards. I'd love a pair of HQ hinges, any idea where I can find some in serviceable condition? I've bought 3 sets and they are all bent/worn out/rusted.
I've also toyed with the idea of cutting a bit out of the centre of the bumper to narrow it and get it fitting tighter, but the cost of re-chroming is getting ridiculous.

[Innuendo]

I've also toyed with the idea of cutting a bit out of the centre of the bumper to narrow it and get it fitting tighter, but the cost of re-chroming is getting ridiculous.

Unless you have a HQ Wagon rear bar it makes sense to shorten the bar. You must be careful to retain the ever so slight point. I've seen it done before and it was done straight and looked wrong. As you say re-chroming is expensive but finding a decent bar that doesn't really need re-chroming is nearly impossible anyway. Under "some" circumstances you might be able to get away with a painted bar.

Another thought I'd like to see someone have an attempt at is using a front bar to make some rear bumperettes (HJ to HZ) I reckon you could get a factory look. You'd get matching shapes and rubber (if you like) and be true to the model. As opposed to using HQ Bumperettes which share nothing in styling with the HJ-WB models.

I'm fresh out of HQ lower hinges that I'm willing to part with. Apparently though you can use door hinge re-bush/pin kits to fix the worn HQ lower tailgate hinges.

[Cocko750]

I agree with everything you say and one day (before I respray it) I'll cut that lip off and reshape the guards. I'd love a pair of HQ hinges, any idea where I can find some in serviceable condition? I've bought 3 sets and they are all bent/worn out/rusted.
I've also toyed with the idea of cutting a bit out of the centre of the bumper to narrow it and get it fitting tighter, but the cost of re-chroming is getting ridiculous.

I kept trimming bit by bit out of a sedan bar to get it tight to body , massaged the rear panel to resemble a wagon, but it was too tight, I used a rusty dented bar for this reason but it looked good to me. I also cut the stip of steel off and used the hz hinges ,looked fine, think they should work but have a pair I hq hinges soaking in diesel (a bit seized) and will try them also, but instead of chrome I will paint my bars and add the rubber stips.