Bumperettes

[Rdchallenger12]

I took off the fugly bumper gaurds from my '73 Challenger but now have the holes in the valence where they would insert into. My question is would 70-71 slimmer Bumper guards bolt up to my '73 rear bumped or would other drilling need involved?

[YellowThumper]

Can't help you on your specific question but I am doing the same thing on mine. Along with moving the bumper inboard something like 1-3/4 inches in. My intermediate plan was to try and Fab up a plug/cap to just cover the hole. Something simple but also looks like it belongs there.

Good luck.
Mike

[Rdchallenger12]

Can't help you on your specific question but I am doing the same thing on mine. Along with moving the bumper inboard something like 1-3/4 inches in. My intermediate plan was to try and Fab up a plug/cap to just cover the hole. Something simple but also looks like it belongs there.

Good luck.
Mike

Thanks Bud. Hopefully both of us can figure it out or hear from someone who has done this. 

[Lbs]

I removed the bumper guards off my 73 Cuda also. And like Mike said I moved my bumper in closer also. I did have to drill new holes for the bumperettes that I put on. I was able to weld up the old holes because I was painting my bumpers anyway.
This is the before picture........

And this is after moving the bumper in......


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[Rdchallenger12]

I removed the bumper guards off my 73 Cuda also. And like Mike said I moved my bumper in closer also. I did have to drill new holes for the bumperettes that I put on. I was able to weld up the old holes because I was painting my bumpers anyway.
This is the before picture........

And this is after moving the bumper in......


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That looks great. What I'm thinking then is since I'm not going to be painting my bumpers that I could just get chrome plugs for it to fill in.

[Lbs]

I just went out and looked at it real good........I remember now that the old hole just barely covered right at the top of the smaller bumperette. I drilled the new hole and made sure it covered before we body worked and painted it. It was the jack holes that we welded shut.


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[blown motor]

I just did this to my 74. Put on new bumpers and just put a bumper bolt in the hole where the bumperette bolts on. Looks perfectly normal. I had a friend weld a patch in to fill the holes in the valance, smooth it and paint it. He said today it's done but I haven't gotten it back yet. e-body copper did this last year and it looks great. I posted a picture of it here somewhere. I'll try to find it.

[YellowThumper]

The Challengers have the added benefit of the valance not having bulges protruding where the openings are. Much easier to blank off.

Mike

[Brillo1974]

I just put on 70 bumper brackets and a 70 rear bumper with the small bumper guards on my 74 Challenger. You should be able to just add an extra bolt in the front bumper, that's what I did.

[blown motor]

I did a bunch of searches but can't find the picture. Sorry.

[Rdchallenger12]

I just put on 70 bumper brackets and a 70 rear bumper with the small bumper guards on my 74 Challenger. You should be able to just add an extra bolt in the front bumper, that's what I did.

That's the thing, my bumpers are in great condition. I wouldn't want to buy new ones if I can just drill a hole for the guards.

[Lbs]

Like I said before, if you drill the hole in the correct spot the smaller bumper guard covered the old hole. Keep in mind, my car is a cuda not a challenger so I'm not sure they are exactly the same. Maybe someone here can shed some light on that.


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[Rdchallenger12]

Like I said before, if you drill the hole in the correct spot the smaller bumper guard covered the old hole. Keep in mind, my car is a cuda not a challenger so I'm not sure they are exactly the same. Maybe someone here can shed some light on that.


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  def going to be giving it a shot.

[YellowThumper]

def going to be giving it a shot.

For drilling I will suggest that you use a quality stepped unibit over the standard drill. They are pricy but worth it. Pay attention to the cutting edge to ensure you don't start peeling off your chrome.

Mike

[Lbs]

Do you have the bumperettes in hand already?


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