Cutting rear support brackets on '73 Cuda

[flores_57]

Has anyone cut the rear support brackets on a '73-'74 bumper to make it flush like the '70-'72 models? If so how much did you trim off? or can I just replace the brackets with a '70-'72  :clueless:Thanks for look'n

[Chryco Psycho]

73 & 74 are different as I recall the 74 has a huge beam behind the bumper , I think u can use earlier brackets on either type though to move the bumper in , I think you need the early bumper to have the mount holes in the correct place

[666 the legend]

..So..?? You can just CUT and Channel the original bracket if yah had to..?? correct..??

[Chryco Psycho]

that is what I did just ntoched out enough of the beam to mount the bumper , somehow I moved it flush as well but that was back in 81 I am a little unclear exactly what I did

[Moparal]

I have a 72 cuda inner steel support bumper brace if you need me to measure some holes n stuff. Also a 72 rear cuda bumper went right on my 70 brackets with no problem. I did this when I first had my car before I bought new bumpers

[burdar]

You can cut the brackets, lap them, and re-weld.  One other thing you might want to do is remove the rubber filler panel between the bumper and the body.  Only 73-74 used that piece and it looks a lot cleaner if you remove it.  70-72 used a metal piece between the bumper and the body but it is very hard to see if you don't know what you car looking for.  THey are available new I believe.

You can also remove the triangular braket on the rear valance that was used to space out the lisence plate.  70-72 didn't use that spacer bracket.