Need Help - 73 Rear Bumper Question

[old-school]

I've read up on this subject on this site and i have the following question regarding what i would like to do. Here is a picture of the rear of my 73 that i bought a few months back. I'm not sure what exactly was done regarding the rear bumper. I am assuming that what's on the rear is a 73 bumper without the bumper guards and not a 72 bumper or some other year bumper? I like the big bumper guards with the rubber on them. My question is do the guards just bolt to the one hole in the bumper above the cutout with a nut on the back or do the bottom of the guards where the cutouts are also have to bolt to something as well? Is there a bracket i might need or is the one hole in the bumper sufficient?

I hate the big cutouts but i'm not going to all of the trouble of another bumper, brackets etc., just to cover the cutouts. My plan is to pull this bumper off and have it chromed and find some of the big rear bumper guards and have them chromed as well. Where can i get the big rear bumper guards with the rubber on them? And after looking at my picture is this all i'm going to need? Also i'd like to ask how i can adjust the trunk lid so that it lines up with the rear quarter panels better. Notice how the chrome trim is not lined up with the trunk lid closed. Thanks for any help

[IMNCARN82]

I don't know Challengers. I'd think you could get some of the smaller bumperettes and modify them to fit. As I don't like the big bumperettes. That's what I did with the 'cuda. 

[422STROKER]

Yeah You could pick up a set of the smaller ones and drill a hole for them on the bumper bottom.  They would look similar to mine if done properly.

Tom

[Moparal]

Just bolting into the hole will work, but won't be stiff enough for impacts if you get bumped into. Of course if you get hit in the back you will get damaged either way. So if it's cosmetics your concerned about, I got both 73 and 74 bumperettes with the big rubbers. They just go through the holes and bolt in place. I got a lot on my plate right now getting ready to leave for a month, getting other parts ready and having the flu, but if your not in a hurry, you can have the pair for 25 bucks if you want them. I got a 73 filler plate to, but it will add weight to your car in the rear.  Crap, just drive over here and I will give you a 73 bumper so you can get it rechromed. I am never going to use it and members are welcome to come by here and sort through odd ball things.  I dont have time to ship big bumpers right now tho. My car is getting color sanded tomorrow and friday, then I fly out to work..yuk.......

[old-school]

Thanks! I just emailed you.

[RUSTY Cuda]

I have a cuda, not sure if the setup was the same, but there is a bracket on both sides that bolts to the frame rail,also has a bolt to hold the filler that goes between the pan & the bumper guard, the round hole looks like the spot that the guards mount.
I could get you better pictures if needed if someone would tell us challenger is the same setup.

[Bullitt-]

Just looking at the pic it appears the mounting brackets have been changed to the 70-2 style as your bumper is tucked close to the body, there would be 3 plastic fillers between the body and bumper as well on a 73-4 I don't see in your pic.
  If you are serious about putting it back there are plenty of '73-4 owners that would probably trade parts with you...I'm not one. 

[Challenger6pak]

You could put a bumper bolt in where the guard is supposed to be and then weld up the rear valance slots.  You may have a 74 bumper with modified bumper brackets.  Post some measurements of the bolt holes and a pic of the bumper brackets. I can tell you what you have and what you need from there.

Looks like you will need to move the latch in the trunk down around a 16th of an inch.  This should line up your chrome pieces.  Make sure you move it evenly on both sides and check everything before you close the lid.  If you move one side of the latch down more than the other it will move the trunk lid over to the quarter panel and it could hit causing paint damage.  If you want to be safe you could put masking tape on the trunk lid edges and quarter edges while you do adjustments.

[rusty dodge]

The big bumper guards have 1 bolt into the bumper, and then there is a bracket that bolts the guard to the frame rail.

Looks like yours is relocated in like the 72 type (close to the body), so maybe on the big guard, that lower bracket didnt line up to the frame rail bracket? So it wasnt put back on?

[Black340]

I am reall confused now ..why my 73 don't have the cutouts

[old-school]

Thanks guys for all of the input. I'm now confused as ever! LOL

I have a guy from a local body shop who specializes in muscle car restoration that is swinging by in the morning to tell me the best route (most economical) to take to deal with the cutouts and tell me what i have on the car right now etc., I'd really like to patch up the cutouts and repaint the whole lower part (valance) is that what it's called? But he told me on the phone that would be the most expensive route because of labor. He suggested instead of rechroming the bumper to just get a new repro bumper for around $200 change the brackets and add the bumperettes like the guy did at the beginning of this post. So i'll see what he thinks after he sees it tomorrow.

[old-school]

I am reall confused now ..why my 73 don't have the cutouts

Man yours looks fantastic! That's how i wish mine looked. I hate the round exhaust tips the guy put on my car. I need to find a new valance with the square cutouts for the exhaust so i can go with this look and also have the cutouts for the bumpers welded up like yours. Whomever did yours customized that valance and it looks great.

[old-school]

The guy wasn't able to show up today but rescheduled for Monday so i'll know more about what i'm going to do next week.

[Challenger6pak]

Either post or send a couple of pics to me.  I am trying to help you.  There are 3 different rear bumpers with three different brackets.  I can let you know where you are and where you need to go.  The bumper is mounted like the 72 but the 72 bracket won't bolt to your bumper.  This is why I say something has been modified. You may get a new bumper that won't fit your brackets.

[Black340]

Man yours looks fantastic! That's how i wish mine looked. I hate the round exhaust tips the guy put on my car. I need to find a new valance with the square cutouts for the exhaust so i can go with this look and also have the cutouts for the bumpers welded up like yours. Whomever did yours customized that valance and it looks great.

old-school..I was not joking when I ask the question, I got my car few months ago,I was aware of the 73 bumperets because the previous owner give them to me, but I was not aware of the cutouts until you posted the pics.
So..I find out now that the rear valance was modified..I did't have any idea before reading your post that show how muchI know