Notices
997 Forum 2005-2012
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Can a Narrow body rear bumper fit a Wide body car?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-15-2023, 08:42 PM
  #1  
jbkusa
Pro
Thread Starter
 
jbkusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Southeast
Posts: 597
Received 252 Likes on 156 Posts
Default Can a Narrow body rear bumper fit a Wide body car?

So EMC2 pointed out something I have been wondering for a while.

It appears my 2009 C4S may have a narrow body bumper cover on it. See pic below. Is that possible? 😬

Wide body (C4) rear bumpers all have the insert shown in the photo inset.

My 997.2 has been in my family since 2012. Only one previous owner so I guess it could have been replaced but no record of it.



Last edited by jbkusa; 05-15-2023 at 08:58 PM.
Old 05-16-2023, 04:23 AM
  #2  
sandwedge
Nordschleife Master
 
sandwedge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 8,462
Received 1,010 Likes on 718 Posts
Default

Not just the little black inserts you're pointing to but isn't the rear quarter panels what makes the difference between the NB and WB? So I can't see how a NB bumper cover would fit on a WB car.
Old 05-16-2023, 08:37 AM
  #3  
Petza914
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
 
Petza914's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Clemson, SC
Posts: 25,384
Received 6,203 Likes on 3,957 Posts
Default

I've seen someone fit a WB rear bumper to a NB and the rear corners looked a little.odd. I can't see how NB on a WB works well. I haven't had an OEM bumper on either of my 997s for over a decade so don't recall the defining traits of a NB bumper.
Old 05-16-2023, 01:10 PM
  #4  
myw
Nordschleife Master
 
myw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: richmond hill
Posts: 5,317
Received 535 Likes on 318 Posts
Default

it fits as it shares same mounting tabs - i've seen WB bumpers on a NB car - and it will look a tad wider from the back. its been done a few times worldwide - search hard enough and you will find images.

I've never seen a NB bumper on a WB car, but it will physically fit - but it will look a little smaller from the rear.

Take a rear picture if you dont mind - id love to see how it looks

Old 05-16-2023, 02:03 PM
  #5  
jbkusa
Pro
Thread Starter
 
jbkusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Southeast
Posts: 597
Received 252 Likes on 156 Posts
Default

Here's a pic I had on my phone...

Old 05-16-2023, 02:48 PM
  #6  
Petza914
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
 
Petza914's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Clemson, SC
Posts: 25,384
Received 6,203 Likes on 3,957 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jbkusa
Here's a pic I had on my phone...
Whatever it is, seems to fit perfectly.
Old 05-16-2023, 03:10 PM
  #7  
jbkusa
Pro
Thread Starter
 
jbkusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Southeast
Posts: 597
Received 252 Likes on 156 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Petza914
Whatever it is, seems to fit perfectly.
Only thing that I have noticed is a slight misalignment here:

Old 05-16-2023, 03:31 PM
  #8  
speedracerf4i
Pro
 
speedracerf4i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chino Hills
Posts: 537
Received 171 Likes on 104 Posts
Default

You may be onto something. I never noticed that difference between narrow vs wide before. Now that you mentioned, it seems that 4, 4s, GTS and Targa's rear bumper all have that black insert. Including mine.
Old 05-16-2023, 03:40 PM
  #9  
Petza914
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
 
Petza914's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Clemson, SC
Posts: 25,384
Received 6,203 Likes on 3,957 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jbkusa
Only thing that I have noticed is a slight misalignment here:
Loosen the vertical screw that's right there in the wheelwell, reach around the back of the bumper at the corner, and while pulling it forward with your palm, tighten the screw.
The following users liked this post:
jbkusa (05-16-2023)
Old 05-16-2023, 04:10 PM
  #10  
Airflite40
Official Rennlist
Borat Impersonator
Rennlist Member
 
Airflite40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

My 997.1 C4 came to me with a narrow body rear bumper installed. It was hit in the rear (lightly) at some point and the shop that repaired it did not bother to understand the difference, installed the wrong rear bumper. The main thing was the side tabs that slot in with the rear quarter panels were too thick, resulting in the bumper sides never fitting flush against the quarter panel.
Old 05-16-2023, 09:54 PM
  #11  
groovzilla
Rennlist Member
 
groovzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: seattle, washington
Posts: 16,755
Received 4,466 Likes on 2,724 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by speedracerf4i
You may be onto something. I never noticed that difference between narrow vs wide before. Now that you mentioned, it seems that 4, 4s, GTS and Targa's rear bumper all have that black insert. Including mine.
Not the case - I have owned 4 widebody 997's (2 C4S, 1 C4 Cabriolet and my current C4 Coupe) and non of them had/have the black piece/section under rear side of bumper.












Last edited by groovzilla; 05-16-2023 at 09:57 PM.
The following users liked this post:
jbkusa (05-16-2023)
Old 05-16-2023, 11:17 PM
  #12  
jbkusa
Pro
Thread Starter
 
jbkusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Southeast
Posts: 597
Received 252 Likes on 156 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by groovzilla
Not the case - I have owned 4 widebody 997's (2 C4S, 1 C4 Cabriolet and my current C4 Coupe) and non of them had/have the black piece/section under rear side of bumper.

Interesting… well that makes this more confusing.

thanks Groove!
Old 05-16-2023, 11:21 PM
  #13  
jbkusa
Pro
Thread Starter
 
jbkusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Southeast
Posts: 597
Received 252 Likes on 156 Posts
Default

Maybe .1 widebody cars don’t have the little insert behind the rear wheel.
Old 05-17-2023, 04:34 AM
  #14  
sandwedge
Nordschleife Master
 
sandwedge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 8,462
Received 1,010 Likes on 718 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by groovzilla
Not the case - I have owned 4 widebody 997's (2 C4S, 1 C4 Cabriolet and my current C4 Coupe) and non of them had/have the black piece/section under rear side of bumper.
Originally Posted by jbkusa
Interesting… well that makes this more confusing.thanks Groove!
Originally Posted by jbkusa
Maybe .1 widebody cars don’t have the little insert behind the rear wheel.
Just to add to the confusion, picture attached of the rear of my -11 GTS with the black insert. So maybe it's just on .2 cars. Never noticed it or thought about it prior to this thread.




The following users liked this post:
jbkusa (05-21-2023)
Old 05-17-2023, 06:51 AM
  #15  
Prairiedawg
Rennlist Member
 
Prairiedawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,903
Received 987 Likes on 531 Posts
Default

Mine are painted and is indicated on the build sheet.

CAB Lower Rear Panel Painted Exterior Color


Quick Reply: Can a Narrow body rear bumper fit a Wide body car?



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 05:42 PM.