Author Topic: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper  (Read 875 times)

Offline femtnmax

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Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« on: April 15, 2009 - 07:23:04 PM »
AMD is in the midst of correcting their Challenger rear bumper shape.  The bumper they sent me had a very noticable crown to it.  I called them and am now on the list to receive a replacement bumper when they are available...they said about 60 days or so, and said I could keep the "bad" one they sent me.
So I experimented with straightening the bad bumper.  I do some side work as a carpenter.  I have lifted large portions of completed houses off floor joist support beams with shims driven in by hand.   So thats what I did with the bumper.  I clamped a 4x4 to the work table, then clamped the ends of the bumper to the 4x4, and drove shims in between bumper and 4x4 to force the bend out of it.
The finished product is not perfect, I only drove in about 8 equal spaced shims at a time, then removed bumper and check the progress.  A continuous row of shims would probably have made a smoother bend, but for a 'driver part' I am pleased with the results.  Pics show before and after.   A friend is a welding instructor, his comment would be:  Its hand made, it's not supposed to be perfect.
Phil




Offline 71ChallengerSE

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2009 - 07:28:31 PM »
What year bumper is it and what are you going to do with it? :stirpot:

Offline femtnmax

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2009 - 08:58:42 PM »
What year bumper is it and what are you going to do with it?
Its for 70-71 model year.   I'm not sure what I was going to do with it.   The car won't be ready to run in 6 months, much less 60 days.   I was going to put in on the car tomorrow and take pics of the final result. 
The bumper set front/rear cost $519 not including shipping.  Goodmark rear bumper from summit is $299.    What do you see in the little pot the feller was stirring??
Phil

Offline 71ChallengerSE

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2009 - 11:04:28 PM »
Its for 70-71 model year.   I'm not sure what I was going to do with it.   The car won't be ready to run in 6 months, much less 60 days.   I was going to put in on the car tomorrow and take pics of the final result. 
The bumper set front/rear cost $519 not including shipping.  Goodmark rear bumper from summit is $299.    What do you see in the little pot the feller was stirring??

 :misbehaving: I don't know, what do you think he is stirring?  :naughty:

Offline femtnmax

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2009 - 11:08:02 PM »
First photo is the bumper as shipped from AMD.   The other pics are the modified bumper.  Finished product looks good I think.
Phil

Offline LAA66

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2009 - 11:19:52 PM »
What year bumper is it and what are you going to do with it? :stirpot:

 Scrounge. :lol2:

 Looks quite a bit better. Maybe move the bumper higher to close the gap at the quarter pocket and tail panel.  :clueless:
« Last Edit: April 17, 2009 - 11:24:55 PM by LAA66 »

Offline femtnmax

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2009 - 11:35:43 PM »

 Looks quite a bit better. Maybe move the bumper higher to close the gap at the quarter pocket and tail panel.
The bolts are all loose.  Its all just hanging there.  I was afraid someone would comment about that.
Phil

Offline bb71challenger

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Re: Improving AMD Challenger rear bumper
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2009 - 01:01:03 AM »
LOL, AMD will see this thread and make a jig to bend all the returned bumpers. Great job, I dont see anything wrong with that unless there is a visible crease or creases where you forced it back into shape. Heck, use that one and sell the one they are gonna send you  :bigsmile:
1971 Challenger (OO==== ====OO) getting close!
1970 Challenger (OO########OO) long ways off
*Brett*