73 cuda rear bumper conversion

Author Topic: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion  (Read 2782 times)

Offline cuda2002

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73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« on: July 13, 2004 - 11:53:53 PM »
Hi,

I have a 73 cuda and I would like to convert the rear bumper to a 72 style which eliminates the filler panel between the bumper and tail panel.

I am sure people have done this before.  I would like to know if the rear bumper brackets are the only difference between the two years.  If so, can I keep the existing bumper and remove the re-inforcing member and reuse it?  I have checked a couple of websites for fiberglass bumpers and one company sells fiberglass front bumper brackets for use with their fiberglass bumpers but not for the rear. Is there someone who sells repoduction 72 rear bumper brackets or am I stuck trying to find some on E-bay?  If someone had the dimensions for the 72 brackets I could try and fab them up myself.

I would also like to get rid of those big ugly rubber bumpers and go with the straight chrome bumperets(?).  Does this mean that I need to also change the filler between the rear valence and the bumper or were they the same for 70-74?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appeciated. :)




Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2004 - 12:01:15 AM »
I believe that the holes for the 72 are different than the 73. Seem to me I ordered a 73 bumper and tryed to use 70 - 72 mounts and it didn't fit . . .then I had to send it back and get a 72 for it to work!!  Yes you will have to replace the fillers to use the chrome bumper guards!! I think it looks alot better without those fat bumper guards!  ;)  ;D  ;D
« Last Edit: July 15, 2004 - 08:11:31 PM by 4cruzin »

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2004 - 12:55:02 AM »
As long as you use the mounts from a '70 through '72 it's OK

The bumper from these years are needed too or it looks weird (extra holes ect)
« Last Edit: July 16, 2004 - 02:05:51 AM by 360cuda »

Offline cuda2002

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Re: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2004 - 11:35:31 PM »
Thanks for the info!

Any thoughts on where I might score some 70-72 bumper brackets? Dimensions would be good too.

Thanks again :)

Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2004 - 11:46:29 PM »
Thanks for the info!

Any thoughts on where I might score some 70-72 bumper brackets? Dimensions would be good too.

Thanks again :)

MOPAR NATIONALS!!  ;)

Offline cuda2002

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Re: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2004 - 04:45:05 PM »
Looks like I will be trying to fab up my own bumper brackets.  Anyone willing to measure up their 70-72 rear bumper brackets and  supply some basic dimensions? ;D

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: 73 cuda rear bumper conversion
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2004 - 10:19:38 PM »
Try to use the bumper reinforcement that the car came with
It has to be safer and the extra weight in the back can't hurt traction ;)