So while repairing rust under my tailgate I removed the bumper... by removing the bumper struts/shocks? from the interior of the wagon

as I was doing this I sat on the bumper and felt a large pop as the bolts attaching the bumper shocks to the bumper broke off.

some kind of aluminum rust? sheared the aluminum bumper right off its shock mounts.. I checked the other side to find the same problem.

so now I need suggestions that don't involve buying a new aluminum piece of bumper from the dealer (don't know how much it will be but I know it will be expensive!)

I have a metal rear bumper (looks to be steel) form an '81 wagon and was thinking about cutting it to be the same shape as the aluminum piece and trying to get it to fit. But the easiest thing would be to find another aluminum piece that isn't rusted and using it.


Would any 245's in the salvage yard have such a thing in decent shape or am I dreaming?

thanks,

jack
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Bad Blue, '86 245, 253,000 mi., Columbus, Ohio