72-74 Cuda front bumper fit?

[miketyler]

I am putting my front bumper back on now and it doesnt seem to fit too well. Its a refurb bumper from Keystone and looks ok but it looks to make a different angle than the grille. Anyone got pics of the topside of their bumper line relative to the grille?  I am about tempted to pull a Chip Foose here and either reform or cut the bomper in the center so it matches the grille better. Shouldn't it align with the lower grille lip better?

 

[JimCuda]

Got any before pictures with the old bumper?

[Ravage]

Hot off the presses

[miketyler]

No, I cant find any pics that have good shot of the mating lines of the grille and bumper.  Ravage - thanks for posting the pics but I cant really tell for sure at the ends how much of a gap if any there is. Does your bumper aligh perfectly with the grille? It looks like it might from the pics 

[Ravage]

sorry the pics aint better ,cheap camera and tight garage.Yes the angles are perfectly parallel.Yours looks to be rather far off it seems 

[JimCuda]

I see what you mean. The lines of the old bumper used to go right along the lines of the grill, where the new one leaves more of a gap as you progress out to the lights/fenders.

I'm not sure if I would cut and re-fit maybe minor heat and bend (Not sure if the chrome would discolor though?

Does Keystone accept returns, maybe try yearone? Anyone else have a Keystone bumper and have pictures of the fit?

[miketyler]

this bumper was on the car when I bought it; I may try and reform it, I can't believe that I have the grille tweeked in at a different angle than it should be.

Also, how much space is there supposed to be between the bumper and the grille? My 72 didnt have a filler strip. I thought it looked better if it was closer in and more "snugged up" to the grille and fenders

[KTO]

Here is a link to what I did on the 73...

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=15725.msg160310#msg160310

I agree...the bumper line is a touch off. The center is closer to the grill than the outer portions.

It doesn't look as noticable once you tuck the bumper though.

[miketyler]

I pulled the bumper brackets last night and slotted the holes to allow the bumper to come in closer - your illustrations are spot on there.

In additon to slotting the holes, I am going to try and put a little more V in the bumper. Any ideas on how I might accomplish this?

[KTO]

I would have tried changing the angle a bit if I was at the point where my bumper still needed chroming or paint. no luck for me there.

I cant think of a great way to make the angle sharper off hand... You could put it in a hydraulic press and get more angle... however, I'd be worried about wrinkling the top of the bumper...If the bumper still needs rechroming that wouldn't be too much of a problem, you could hammer and grind the wrinkle down before chroming. Just a thought.... I am a hack though

[miketyler]

Well I gave it a shot, the bumper looks to be a fresh rechrome from Keystone. I succeeded in clsoing the V but did wave the top flange. I striaghtened it with no damage to the chrome. I pulled all the brackets off and if I can snug it in close enough, it will look pretty good except for the end 2-3 inches.
 
I intend to do all my brackets like you had done, I think it will look slick. Similar to chromed version of the fiberglass bumper   

[Ravage]

glad it worked out ,w00t   

[miketyler]

It turned out to be more of a challenge than just lengthening the slotted holes. On the drivers side outboard bracket, I found that I had to slot the hole past the break in the angle to get the bumper snugged in where I wanted it. This was all good until you torqued it down. When the bolt was tightened it would draw the end of the bracket inboard. I tried a clipped washer and considered a tapered shim to alleviate the condition but in the end I cut the bracket, removed 1/2" section and rewelded it. I know it seems kind've extreme but I piddled around with it for 2 hours before I said screw it and got out the welder.   

[Ravage]

A lot of screwing around but it was worth it ,looked a bit silly with that angle before.Nice work 

[73EStroker]

A tip - always send your old part in to get redone if it is still in good shape. Don't go with the exchange pieces.