Author Topic: rear bumper guards (Read 2982 times)

MoparMatt383 · « **on:** April 04, 2006 - 08:37:24 AM »

I just put my new repr bumpers on my 73 barracuda and they look and fit graet. I have decided not to go with the big 73 bumper guards. On the front it looks fine, but on the rear I have two big holes in the valance that the bumper guards would have covered. I was wondering can I put the earlier rear bumper guards from a 70-72 on my car. I have repro 73 bumpers and the original valance. Will these fit and bolt up to what I have now and cover the big holes? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

crcarch · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2006 - 10:30:35 AM »

I've dealt with this on a Challenger but not a Cuda.

I think they did the same thing though and pulled the bumper further out and added a filler panel between it and the body in order to meet crash requirements. If that's the case, the earlier guards will fit, but be about 1-2" out, so they don't do much in the way of coverage.

You'll need to remove the filler pieces and modify the rear bumper brackets to bring the bumper back flush with the body. This will allow the guards to fit nicely over the opening.

4Cruizn · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2006 - 02:01:26 PM »

When I changed out my 73 to the earlier style, I had to get the proper bumper brackets to bring the bumper closer to the body and an earlier bumper as the mounting holes are different. Looks great when done though!!

crcarch · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2006 - 02:48:13 PM »

Quote from: 4cruzin on April 04, 2006 - 02:01:26 PM

When I changed out my 73 to the earlier style, I had to get the proper bumper brackets to bring the bumper closer to the body and an earlier bumper as the mounting holes are different. Looks great when done though!!

Where did you get the proper early brackets and are they the same for the Chally? Mine were buggered up by the body shop (aka The Defendant) and I need to rework or replace them.

4Cruizn · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2006 - 03:15:12 PM »

Quote from: crcarch on April 04, 2006 - 02:48:13 PM

Where did you get the proper early brackets and are they the same for the Chally? Mine were buggered up by the body shop (aka The Defendant) and I need to rework or replace them.

I bought them at a local swap meet in 1992 as we didn't have internet then! I don't believe any bumper brackets interchange between the cuda and the challenger.

I've seen sets on e-bay every now and then!

MoparMatt383 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2006 - 03:34:18 PM »

Thanks for the info. It seems like I would need to get a 72 bumper then

. Any ideas on a way to get around it with keeping my 73 bumper because I just mounted my new rear bumper lol.

Matt

hotrod98 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2006 - 03:34:57 PM »

The easiest way to go is to buy a 72 style rear bumper with the slots along with a set of 70-72 style bumper brackets (used). Then order the rear bumper guards and fillers for a 70-73 . It will all fit like a glove. Just don't re-install the filler piece that goes between the bumper and rear taillight panel.
As for using the 73-74 style bumper, you can fill the extra holes with additional bumper bolts and have a body shop weld up the openings in the rear valance. Unfortunately, the rear guards usually leave marks in the bumper so they usually have to be rechromed. I've seen guys just alter the rear 73-74 style brackets but it isn't easy. Too many angles and everything has to be tack welded, cut, tack welded, etc. Lots of work.
What I did on the front was to remove the heavy reinforcement, remove the filler piece from the bottom of the grille and notch the bumper bracket to frame holes so that it could be slid straight back about an inch. Then I opened up a couple of the holes in the brackets that no longer lined up with the bumper bolt holes and filled in the extra holes in the bumper with bumper bolts.

No bumper brackets interchange between the cuda and the chal.

MEK-Dangerfield · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2006 - 04:14:53 PM »

Guys,
I'm lost here.

I thought the original question was what he would have to do to cover the holes in the valence panel because the 73-74 Bumper guards were wider than the 70-72. So the 70-72's would look kinda funny in that wide opening. Did I miss the boat on this one???

Mike

crcarch · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2006 - 10:34:33 PM »

Quote from: MEKrunner on April 04, 2006 - 04:14:53 PM

Guys,
I'm lost here.

I thought the original question was what he would have to do to cover the holes in the valence panel because the 73-74 Bumper guards were wider than the 70-72. So the 70-72's would look kinda funny in that wide opening. Did I miss the boat on this one???

Mike

Okay, I'll shine a little light on this. He asked, "Will these fit and bolt up to what I have now and cover the big holes? Any thoughts would be appreciated." We told him they fit, but wouldn't adequately cover the holes and we gave him our thoughts on what to do to get it to look right.

The boat has left the dock but if you're quick, you can still catch it before it leaves port!

hotrod98 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2006 - 11:04:15 PM »

Try to keep up...all rear valances are the same. The 70-72 bumper guards also need the black fillers to fill up the openings just like all 70-72 cars. We're giving options. The lime 73 that I posted has the original 73 valance and a 72 style bumper. Or...you can foose it and fill it. There's no one answer here...there are options.
I try to alter every 73-74 car that I build. I'm building another one now for a couple and they don't want to deviate from stock, so I'll paint it and let them return it to ugly. It's their car. I refuse to put 73-74 style bumpers back on unaltered. It was a government mandated screw-up and deserves to be corrected.

MoparMatt383 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2006 - 08:39:37 PM »

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I think I am gonna have to sit on my big bumper holes for awhile because I just put on my new bumpers. I should have thought it through more

but no matter.

Matt

Confederate Cuda · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2006 - 11:34:15 AM »

Hotrod98
I agree that the bumpers on the 73 are ugly, I have one and yes I am going to change them so thanks for the great information. I am also considering going with painted bumpers so here is my ignorant

question � did you have to etch or strip the chrome bumpers to paint them ?

Troy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2006 - 11:45:09 AM »

MoparMatt383: where did you get the repro bumpers? Paddock and Layson's both list them for sale but when I called they said the bumpers were still being tooled up.

As for the questions on the 72-73 bumpers, I have both and the part number stamped into the bumper is the same as far as I can tell. The 73 front bumper has extra holes though. All of mine need rechromed or painted and by the time I mess with all that it's easier to buy repros or ones that are already rechromed if I can find them. On the fillers, most places list them as 70-71 bumper guard fillers but you'll find the bumper guards listed as 72. I got mine from R/T Specialties and Tom was incredibly helpful.

Troy

Author Topic: rear bumper guards (Read 2982 times)

MoparMatt383

rear bumper guards

crcarch

Re: rear bumper guards

4Cruizn

Re: rear bumper guards

crcarch

Re: rear bumper guards

4Cruizn

Re: rear bumper guards

MoparMatt383

Re: rear bumper guards

hotrod98

Re: rear bumper guards

MEK-Dangerfield

Re: rear bumper guards

crcarch

Re: rear bumper guards

hotrod98

Re: rear bumper guards

MoparMatt383

Re: rear bumper guards

Confederate Cuda

Re: rear bumper guards

Troy

Re: rear bumper guards