Bumpers?

[purple1]

What is the difference between 72 Challenger front bumpers and 73-74 front bumpers? I can find lots of 73-74 bumpers, but very few 72 bumpers. Could I use the 73-74 bumper? What would I have to do to make one work? 

Dave

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Dave,

  The brackets are different. You would need the 73-74 brackets, but then the bumpers would stick out further from the car too. 

  Mike

[purple1]

Dave,

  The brackets are different. You would need the 73-74 brackets, but then the bumpers would stick out further from the car too. 

  Mike

Thanks Mike, I know the brackets are different and are longer. But what is different about the bumper its self, bolt holes in a different place? Or just extra holes? Can someone get some mesurements for the bolt hole locations on a 73 or a 74 please? Thanks.

Dave

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Dave,

  Someday I'll actually add some much needed advice to one of my posts. 

I tried to put a 73 bumper on the rear of my car. The bolt holes for the brackets to the bumpers, were about an inch wider on the 73 bumper. There are 2 bolts on each side of the bumper, and the spacing between them is an inch wider on the 73. Other than that, it's the same as a 72 bumper. I would assume the same deal goes for the front bumper.


  Mike

EDIT: Now that I think about it, maybe the bolt pattern on the 73 bumper was an inch narrower than on the 72. In any case, I know it was an inch off. 

[purple1]

Dave,

  Someday I'll actually add some much needed advice to one of my posts. 

I tried to put a 73 bumper on the rear of my car. The bolt holes for the brackets to the bumpers, were about an inch wider on the 73 bumper. There are 2 bolts on each side of the bumper, and the spacing between them is an inch wider on the 73. Other than that, it's the same as a 72 bumper. I would assume the same deal goes for the front bumper.


  Mike

EDIT: Now that I think about it, maybe the bolt pattern on the 73 bumper was an inch narrower than on the 72. In any case, I know it was an inch off. 

Thanks Mike, you just answered my next question about the rear bumpers, and look what I found in my own junk pile. Two front bumpers...  But they are both in rough shape.  So I still have to buy one.
Looks like two holes are larger and round instead of square, but they are in the right places. And two extra holes in the top. Someone even drilled some extra holes in this one that I got...

Guess I answered my own question about the front... 

Dave

[Challenger6pak]

Your top bumper is 70 & 71.  Your bottom bumper is 73 & 74.  You can use it.  You will have to weld all the holes up and redrill new homes in the correct location.  You can also slot your 70 - 71 to make it into a 72 bumper.  I am unsure whether the slotted jack needs more removed fromn the bottom to work.  Look at both bumper bottoms.

[purple1]

Your top bumper is 70 & 71.  Your bottom bumper is 73 & 74.  You can use it.  You will have to weld all the holes up and redrill new homes in the correct location.  You can also slot your 70 - 71 to make it into a 72 bumper.  I am unsure whether the slotted jack needs more removed fromn the bottom to work.  Look at both bumper bottoms.

Yes thanks, but both the 71 bumper and the 73 are bent and the chrome is bad. So I still need bumpers. If I was going to weld up and then rechrome bumpers, I could just use the ones off the car.

I just want to buy 72 sloted type bumpers. 1 front and 2 rear...

Dave

[Challenger6pak]

Most reproduction parts are 71 or 73.  72 bumpers will take a little time to find.

[DMZ73]

Funny thing Mike.... I have a rough set of 73s, and I have a decent OK set of 72s. The front one is rougher than the rear, but the rear is pretty good.

I can't find a set of 73s locally.

I don't know if you would be interested in a trade, but I would like to know what what condition your 73s are in.

Bets Regards,
Dan

[purple1]

Man, what a bummer...
Well I spoke with YO and you cannot even order 72's from them, they said they are on national back order...

Looks like the search will continue...

Dave

[Challenger6pak]

Did your original bumpers have the rubber 'tips' on the corners where they meet the grille.  It will have a slot when compared to the 73 bumper.

[purple1]

Did your original bumpers have the rubber 'tips' on the corners where they meet the grille.  It will have a slot when compared to the 73 bumper.

Thanks, now I see the slot for the rubbers on the 71's and the one on the front of the car.
The front bumper on the car has the slots for rubber tips. I guess it must be the 72 type bumper (71 car). As far as the back bumper on the car now, it is a 73-4 type that someone made fit...

Dave

[Challenger6pak]

Here is the front bumper area I am talking about.  I am trying to figure out if the 72 has this spot to mount the rubber end.  It should have a slotted jack hole.  If it is smooth like the 73 it would be easier to weld the top bumper mount holes up, rechrome it and use it on your car as a 72.  I have done this many times.  Also here is a pic of what happens many times when you use the slotted bumper jack hole.  You can see by the ring how far the dent goes.  I am not saying it happens everytime.  I wouldn't take the chance with a new bumper.  I would take a small jack with you in your trailer.  If you choose to not use your jack your have in your car, you then will have the option of the 70-71 type bumper which you can get right away.  I don't know how correct you want your car. 

[purple1]

Here is the front bumper area I am talking about.  I am trying to figure out if the 72 has this spot to mount the rubber end. 

Yes, I think so. My front (quessing it must be 72 style) has the slots for the jack and the slots for the rubber (just like your first pic). It bolts up to 71 type brakets (4 bolts) and it does not have any bolt holes it the top.

Dave

[Challenger6pak]

Thanks, I was unsure if 72 still used the rubber ends.  You still can cut a jack slot in a 70-71 bumper and rechrome it or you could weld the 2 top holes up on the 73 and rechrome it. You will have to add a tab and cut a notch in it if you want to add the rubber fillers at the ends.  I have done this many times in the past to convert a 73 into a 70 style bumper.  For drivers I used to run 73 front bumpers on a 70 and just leave the top 2 bumper bolts in the holes bolted to nothing. There was a time when there were not any repops available.