Rear Bumper Valance hole cover

[chargerdon]

Hi, I have a 74 Challenger, which came with those big ugly bumper guards.  I left them off my car but that leaves the gaps on the rear valance.   Will 70-72 bumper guards fit and fill in the holes? 

Example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/391466183227?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT   or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182257335056?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Not the least bit worried about "originality". 

[1 Wild R/T]

If you use early bumper brackets the early guards work...  If you use late brackets the guards are left floating 2" away from the valance...

I would also consider blacking out the center section between the tail lights...

[chargerdon]

What about bumpers ?   I bought a new front bumper for my 74 from Rock Auto for only $185 vs classic industries $279 and the fit and quality were fine.   Unfortunately they are out of stock for 1974 rear bumper...BUT..they do have 1973 rear bumper for $192 again vs classic industries $279.   Looking at pictures on classic industries I dont see any difference.   

Would a 1973 rear bumper work??   Or are there differences that cant be seen in the pictures?   

[1 Wild R/T]

If they show a 70-71 bumper that would be my choice... Previously I thought the only difference was the slot for the bumper jack that showed up in 71 but apparently starting in 72 or 73 they started using more bolts to mount the bumper so if you use the early bracket which tucks the bumper in closer to the body you don't need a bunch of extra holes.....

[blown motor]

I welded a patch into those holes in the valence and repainted it. If you can match the paint well enough it works great and looks good. Can likely get you a picture this week if you want.

[chargerdon]

Trying to save some money, so not going to purchase the older brackets.   So, will the 73 bumper work??  Both Rock Auto and Classic Car Industries list different part numbers for 1973 and 1974.   But on ebay I saw three different bumper listings showing the same one for 73 and 74. 

Example: See: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1974-Dodge-Challenger-Premium-Chrome-Rear-Bumper-w-Jack-Slots-MADE-IN-USA-/172251263946?fits=Year%3A1974%7CMake%3ADodge%7CModel%3AChallenger&hash=item281af9b3ca:g:VygAAOSwv0tVZjka&vxp=mtr   

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1974-Dodge-Challenger-rear-bumper-OEM-/182468254506?hash=item2a7bf49b2a:g:GOwAAOSwD0lUb~4J&vxp=mtr

So are the 73 and 74 the same or what is the difference?  Will a 73 work.   If you look carefully at them the attachment bolt holes appear to be in the same places.   Would a 73 work? 

[burdar]

Bumper brackets are different between 73 and 74.  That might make the bumpers different...not sure though.  Personally, I don't like it when the valance slots are filled.  It just looks like a mistake to me.  I'd put the earlier bumper guards on it like your thinking. 

[Moparparts]

The brackets, reinforcement and the Chrome face bar are all different from a 73 to a 74

[dodj]

I welded a patch into those holes in the valence and repainted it. If you can match the paint well enough it works great and looks good. Can likely get you a picture this week if you want.

That's what I did as well. Tnless you want to start moving in the bumpers, it's the only choice you have. The other fillers won't fit.

[rhamson]

If they show a 70-71 bumper that would be my choice... Previously I thought the only difference was the slot for the bumper jack that showed up in 71 but apparently starting in 72 or 73 they started using more bolts to mount the bumper so if you use the early bracket which tucks the bumper in closer to the body you don't need a bunch of extra holes.....

I was at Carlisle a few years back and was looking at Stephen's bumpers. The guy told me '71 did not have the jack slots and that was what I was planning to use. He also noted that the Keystone bumpers were eons above anything else out there in quality and from what I could see he was right. I have eliminated and filled in the bumperette holes on the valance as well and noticed with the bumper mounted the valance had a tendency to sag down below the bumpers lower edge so I pushed it up to line those two lines together. When it is finished it will look a lot better.

[burdar]

The guy told me '71 did not have the jack slots

Jack slots showed up on late 71's.

[rhamson]

Jack slots showed up on late 71's.

I learn something new everyday and especially when it comes to cars. As a teen I worked on a lot of motorcycles where the manufacturer would change parts month to month. That was in Honda's mostly. I once took a points plate from a 1969 Honda 65 and screwed it right on a 1958 Honda 250 that was missing its' plate and it was a direct fit. Who would have thunk it.

[chargerdon]

Guys, sure would like to know exactly what is the difference in the chrome facing (bumper) between the 73 and 74.   Sure makes you wonder when 3 different listings on ebay say 73-74 for rear bumper...   I can certainly believe that due to more stringent laws the 74 brackets are probably heavier duty than the 73, but, are the chrome facings different??  Holes look the same.  But then classic industries lists two different numbers for 73 and for 74. 

Restoring these cars costs more than they are worth, so, if a 73 from rock auto would fit either perfectly or with a minor adjustment Id buy from them keep about $90 to use elsewhere on the car.   Wish they had their 74 in stock! 

[dodj]

If I remember right, the bolt holes are in different places. 73 and 74 brackets are different.

[burdar]

If you are going to remove the stock bumper guards, you should also move the bumpers in to the 70-72 position and remove the rubber filler strips.  The bumpers will look goofy if you leave them in the 73-74 position without the big bumper guards.  If you move them in, you can also get rid of the heavy reinforcements behind the bumpers.

The front can be moved in by just drilling some holes in the stock bumper brackets.  There are some square holes directly in front of the stock mounting holes.  Drill those to 5/8" and they become your new mounting holes.

As for the rear, a 74 uses bumper brackets that look similar to the 70-72 pieces(flat bar stock) but locate the bumper farther away from the body.  You'll have to cut/lap/weld the stock brackets to move the rear bumper in. 

To figure out the differences between 73 and 74, you need to start by measuring all the holes in your stock bumper and posting that information online.(with pictures)  Then, someone with a 73 can do the same.  You might be able to get away with using a 73 bumper.  If there are any extra holes, you can just fill them with an extra fastener.

If I had access to my 73, I'd measure them for you.  All I can do is post this picture which may or may not help since it isn't a "straight-on" shot.  From this angle though, it does look like the outside holes on the 74 bumper might be farther apart.