1973 challenger bumper modification

[ChallengerB5440]

I have a 1973 challenger that I'm just finishing, and I can't find the front and rear bumper fillers anywhere to purchase. Is there any easy and quick solutions or recommendations on how to move the bumpers in? This way I can give the challenger a nicer look, and lose those bumper fillers?

[ChallengerHK]

The easy and quick way would be to buy new bumper mounts. More involved in terms of effort but cheaper would be to "slot" the holes in the existing bumper mounts to allow the front bumper to slide backward; there's no fix like that for the rear bumper, where the bumper mounts lie flat against the chassis structure.

[ChallengerB5440]

Ok, so if I buy 1972 front bumper brackets my 73 bumper will still work? Or I could modify my existing front bumper brackets to slide back. Do you have a measurement of how far back I should modify the holes? As for the back, my only solutions is to buy rear 1972 bumper brackets? Thanks for the help!

[ChallengerHK]

Ok, so if I buy 1972 front bumper brackets my 73 bumper will still work? Or I could modify my existing front bumper brackets to slide back. Do you have a measurement of how far back I should modify the holes? As for the back, my only solutions is to buy rear 1972 bumper brackets? Thanks for the help!

The 73 bumper will still work. If I recall correctly the 72 bumper did not have slots for the jack, so the 73 will still have those. A lot of people also want to do away with the bumper guards at the same time, and if you were to do that then the mounting holes would still be thre in the bumper.

Again, if I recall correctly, the only solution for the rear is the new brackets. You could I suppose cut down the 73 brackets, but that would be very labor intensive.

[mopardave]

nobody makes new fillers for the 72-4 E body,  the bolt spacing on the bumper is wider on the 73-4 as well,

[ChallengerHK]

Dave, so you're saying that we need to either move he holes or replace the bumpers?

[ChallengerB5440]

nobody makes new fillers for the 72-4 E body,  the bolt spacing on the bumper is wider on the 73-4 as well,

So, do the 73 bumper will not work with 72 front bumper brackets? Also, what about the back bumper. Can buy 72 back bumper brackets and still use my 73 rear bumper? Thanks for the help!

[Jamiez]

Here's a thread about swapping in older bumpers on later challengers:

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=4780596&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

[mopardave]

70-72 front and rear bumper and brackets differ from the 73 and 74. 73-4 the bolt spread is wider and the bars them selves are fatter to accept the steel beam that sits behind the bumper

[ChallengerB5440]

Here's a thread about swapping in older bumpers on later challengers:

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=4780596&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

That was a ton of help! Thank you

[E-Body Products]

You need the early style brackets and 70-71 style bumpers.  I think the 72 bumpers have the jack slots.  Depends on if you want the slots or not.  I prefer the cleaner look of the 70-71 bumpers without the slots.   

[ChallengerB5440]

You need the early style brackets and 70-71 style bumpers.  I think the 72 bumpers have the jack slots.  Depends on if you want the slots or not.  I prefer the cleaner look of the 70-71 bumpers without the slots.   

Ok. So to be clear. I can use 70-72 bumpers depending on wether or not I want the slot? Then I also need 70-72 brackets? Are the brackets a bolt on application or will there be necessary modifications? Is that correct?

[ChallengerB5440]

70-72 front and rear bumper and brackets differ from the 73 and 74. 73-4 the bolt spread is wider and the bars them selves are fatter to accept the steel beam that sits behind the bumper

Ok. So to be clear. I can use 70-72 bumpers depending on wether or not I want the slot? Then I also need 70-72 brackets? Are the brackets a bolt on application or will there be necessary modifications? Is that correct?

[mopardave]

Ok. So to be clear. I can use 70-72 bumpers depending on wether or not I want the slot? Then I also need 70-72 brackets? Are the brackets a bolt on application or will there be necessary modifications? Is that correct?

should all bolt up, correct on the bumpers, most go with the 70-71 that have NO slots, 72 is the same bar but with slots.

[73Chally]

I did this with a set of 70 front and rear bumper brackets, and my original bumpers.  I planned on having the bumpers rechromed, so I just had them fill the extra mounting holes from the bumperettes.  I think it cost a few bucks per hole.  If you don't want the slots, I'm sure you could also get those filled, also.  I believe the grand total for both bumpers was around $200.00, but that was 4 years ago.