70 / 71 cuda bumper - Guts to Cut!

[CUDA JAS]

Are these pictures typical of a the bumper fitment on a 70 / 71 cuda???





I am in the process of convertinn my 74 to the early style bumpers and bmuperttes.  I am not sure I can live with this fitment?!?!?!?

Jason

[dutch]

it should sit a bit higher, but other than that it`s pretty much how they fit.

[Katfish]

Looks pretty good to me, what don't you like?

[CUDA JAS]

Looks pretty good to me, what don't you like?

I was just surprised at how far away from the body the bumper sits.  I thought it would be closer.

I mounted the bumper on my 74 today with 70 brackets, and I can fit my fingers between the bumper and the body.

I just do not like it as much as I thought I would.  I think I may cut 3/4 of an inch out the brackets.

Jason

[dutch]

I thought about doing that, but if you ever hit something ,your body panels will be toast immediately 

[CUDA JAS]

I thought about doing that, but if you ever hit something ,your body panels will be toast immediately 

Hmm. that is a good point...but I think if you get hit, the bumper is going to fold in anyway!!  I was surprised at how thin the bumper was once I pulled off the heavy re-enforcment bar!!

[dodj]

I thought about doing that, but if you ever hit something ,your body panels will be toast immediately 

A little space might make a parking lot tap from someone a little less damaging.

[Gus cuda]

I think they look good, at least they are even. Let it be bro! Check out everybody elses cars and i think you will be happy.

[CUDA JAS]

I think they look good, at least they are even. Let it be bro! Check out everybody elses cars and i think you will be happy.

Oh...those pics are not mine... just something I pulled off the internet...I think mine looks worse.

I am pretty sure the sawzall is coming out over the Christmas holidays!!!!

Jason

[johns cuda shop]

This is what I had to do to my back bumper to make it fit better. I took out 3/4 of a inch from the brackets and 3/8 of a inch from the bumper each side. I havent done the front bumper yet but it is way off too.

[CUDA JAS]

OK, so here are a few pics on my 74 bumper, modified to accept 70 brackets and bumperettes.

Note the difference in the location of the mounting holes for both of the brackets and bumperettes.  I intend to weld up all the extra holes etc.

As you can see the fit, is horible.







I have sloted out the holes to move the bumper up towards the tail light panel.  I may fine tune that fit abit, but I will need to grind down the brakets to move it up any higher.







As you can see, by moving the bumper up, it created a huge gap at the bottom.

My plan is to basically section the bumper, cut off the bottom about 1/2 inch up.and add enough material to fill in the gap at the bottom and sides. 

My other option is to just add material to the botom and sides of the bumper to fill the gap.  I figure it will be more difficult to make the lip at the bottom and sides, and using the factory lip will create a cleaner look.

So am I nuts, or does this sound like a workable plan??

Jason

[4 speed fish]

I would go a 1/4 inch higher and call it good,almost every rear bumper fits different, yours is on the better side of cars that I have seen.