Moving Challenger Bumpers

[flatiron]

I have been reading a thread on here about moving bumpers back on a 73-74 Challenger but now I cant find it can someone point me in that direction

Thanks

[Jamiez]

You sure it was on here?  I know there's one on moparts

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=4780596&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

[Cooter]

Basically, you will need to remove the fillers behind the '73-'74 bumpers and install 1970-71-72 Bumper brackets front and rear.

[73Chally]

Do you have a 73 or 74?  I did my 73, and as stated above, all I needed was the earlier model brackets.  I was able to use my original bumpers, and just had to fill a couple holes where the bumperettes bolted through on the top part.  I don't know for sure, but I think the 74 bumpers were different, and will need some other modifications to the bolt holes.

[Super Blue 72]

I don't know if this will work, but just speculating, can you slot out the exisiting holes on the '73-'74 bunper brackets to move the bumper in?  I know it'll be a pain to do being that the metal is so thick, but just wondering if it can be done this way? 

[Jamiez]

I do know if you want to run the 70-71  rear bumper guards, you'll need a 70-71 or older bumper.  The contour of the 73/74 is different and the earlier guards do not fit.
I'm not sure about the 72 bumper.  I think it is the same as the 70-71 but with a different jack slot in them.

Also when relocating the bumper, you need to relocate the license plate bracket or the light (I can't remember which).  otherwise the plate will not be illuminated.

[burdar]

Read the link.  You don't have to get the older style bumper brackets for the front.  Just drill out the square holes (that are forward of the slotted holes) to 5/8".  Those become your new mounting holes.

The rear is more difficult.  You can buy the older style brackets or cut...overlap...reweld the bracket.

[femtnmax]

Read the link.  You don't have to get the older style bumper brackets for the front.  Just drill out the square holes (that are forward of the slotted holes) to 5/8".  Those become your new mounting holes.
The rear is more difficult.  You can buy the older style brackets or cut...overlap...reweld the bracket.

I found good used rear bumper brackets on ebay.  They were much beefier and fit correctly compared to the aftermarket brackets offered for the rear.

[73Chally]

I do know if you want to run the 70-71  rear bumper guards, you'll need a 70-71 or older bumper.  The contour of the 73/74 is different and the earlier guards do not fit.
I'm not sure about the 72 bumper.  I think it is the same as the 70-71 but with a different jack slot in them.

Also when relocating the bumper, you need to relocate the license plate bracket or the light (I can't remember which).  otherwise the plate will not be illuminated.

I just filled the holes on the front bumper for the bumperettes and left it with a nice clean look.  For the rear, I filled the holes on top and put the small 70/71 bumperettes (not sure what else to call them) on.

Also, I did not have to change anything for the rear license plate mount, though I did have to buy a 70/71 front mounting bracket.

[burdar]

73-74 used a triangular bracket welded to the valance to space the lisence plate out farther from the body.  Since the plate light is attached to the bumper, moving it in may cause the light to not illuminate the plate very well.  If that's the case, the triangular bracket can be removed to put the plate in the 70-72 possition.

[joelson6]

i did it on my '74 Challenger. IMO, it's just so much easier to get brackets and bumpers from a '70-'72. everything just bolts right on.


but a word of caution. if you remove the plastic filler panel from the back. there will be a gap between the bumper and body.
the '70-'72 challengers had a metal filler that bolted to the body.  using that will give it the clean early style look.


sorry, but this is the best pic i have of it. you can see the metal filler under the tail light panel. it's sticking out a little
where the bumper flushes with the QP. it has the blue paint on it and you can see it run across under the plastic.

[73Chally]

  I just spoke with another member doing the same thing.  Roseville has the 70-71 filler panel (get the metal one) for I believe $70.

[Challenger6pak]

70 had the metal filler.  In 71 Chrysler modified the tail light housing to fill the spot of the bumper filler.