Hi guys. I have a 73 'Cuda and just recently removed the 2 bigger ugly bumper guards from the rear.
What parts do I need to make my 73 rear bumper guards look like the earlier years like the 71-72?
Thank you in advance. Steve
I would use the 72 bumper mounts & move the bumper in flush , I think you need a different bumper to use the small bumper guards used in 70 -71
I just finished this modification.
You will need 70-72 rear bumper brackets.
70-72 rear bumper
70-72 rear bumper guard brackets
70-72 rear bumper guards
70-72 plastic bumper guard filler
I'll help you with this in any way as it's pretty simple and it's my favorite modification yet.
I could be wrong on saying 1972 but I think 70-72 have the same everything.
Neil
Are you doing the front too? If so let me know.
You can modify the rear bumper brackets but it's going to be a total pain in your butt. But then you won't have to buy a new bumper or rear bumper brackets but you'll still have to buy the 70-72 bumper guards/hardware.
Quote from: nsmall on October 22, 2017, 03:31:02 PM
Are you doing the front too? If so let me know.
You can modify the rear bumper brackets but it's going to be a total pain in your butt. But then you won't have to buy a new bumper or rear bumper brackets but you'll still have to buy the 70-72 bumper guards/hardware.
The front is void of the bumper guards when I got it.
Im a little confused about the rear. It has a aftermarket bumper on it thats very close to the tail end so Im wondering if it's NOT a 73-74 bumper. How far away was the rear bumper in 73? But it did have the large bumper guards on it which I removed.
The bumper was flush 70-72 , in 73 they used a plastic filler piece between the bumper & body that was a little wider than 1"
maybe someone already moved the bumper in but retained the larger bumper guards :notsure:
I have posted pix of both the 72 has chrome bumperettes
the 74 you can see the extra filler strip
Sorry I thought you said Chall , the Cuda has a similar filler panel as in this picture
Can you post some pics? Thanks
pix above right ?
the 73 Guard was different & bit smaller & in 74 they added a second bumper behind the chrome one as well as the requirement changed in 73-74 , the 73 is easier to modify than the 74 as they had a massive beam behind the rear bumper instead of the earlier mounts
try this
The black one above is also a 74 Cuda , there were so few of these built & very few still stock it is difficult to find a decent picture of the 74 , I think they used the same bumper bracket but with a molded rubber block approx 3x as big in 74 !
Here is my 1973. Im the OP.
You can't see it too well, but theres a strip that goes across the bottom (above the bumper). I painted it black. This must be what you guys are referring to?
So If I understand correctly, to get the 1970-72 rear bumper guard look, I must remove the strip on my 73 and replace with a pre 1973 rear bumper before the 70-72 b-guards will fit correctly? :notsure:
The bumper may be usable but you need to move the bumper in with different mounts or modify yours & use the 70 72 bumoerettes
these are the needed parts
Yep that is what I did on my 73. . . Love it! Although most think it is a 72 when they see it . . :dunno:
There's one problem....the rear bumper has to be a 70-72 to fit on on 70-72 bracket. A 73 rear bumper will Not fit a 70-72 rear bumper bracket
@Burdar (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/burdar_173) is the man on 72-74's, but he's been quiet lately. Darren, you copy?
Quote from: nsmall on October 24, 2017, 06:17:00 PM
There's one problem....the rear bumper has to be a 70-72 to fit on on 70-72 bracket. A 73 rear bumper will Not fit a 70-72 rear bumper bracket
@Burdar (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/burdar_173) is the man on 72-74's, but he's been quiet lately. Darren, you copy?
Do I remove those bumper "strips"? If so, how do they come off?
you mean the fillers pieces between the bumper & body , once the bumper is removed there are screws holding them in place
:iagree:
I have found it easiest to remove the rear Valance then remove the bumper and then remove the rubber filler. Obviously you will not need the filler piece once the bumper conversion is complete.
Quote from: Chryco Psycho on October 24, 2017, 10:59:18 PM
you mean the fillers pieces between the bumper & body , once the bumper is removed there are screws holding them in place
Thanks.
(this is becoming more of a chore than I thought. Oh well I have the two bumper guards off, so I guess Im committed.)
Quote from: nsmall on October 24, 2017, 11:52:37 PM
:iagree:
I have found it easiest to remove the rear Valance then remove the bumper and then remove the rubber filler. Obviously you will not need the filler piece once the bumper conversion is complete.
Thanks! :cheers:
Once you collect all the needed parts, it really is an easy process. Like indicated, remove the valance first . . . here is my 73 once completed!
What tires/rims are on the badboy?
Cragers 15 inch
Did you need to replace the bumper with a 70-72 bumper?
I have guards for my 74, but the previous owner cut off the brackets. I'm tempted to just do the swap (will eventually anyway), but if I need another bumper, I may continue looking for 73-74 bumper guard brackets until I'm ready for paint.
I have done this on my 74 as well.
The front is easy...you can slot / re drill the brackets to slid the bumper in. No parts required. You will also need to remove the filler strip from the grill. you may need to grind a little on the front panel fro clearance.
The rear is different...you will need the rear bumper brackets. BUT on a 74 bumper, you the earlier brackets will not bolt up. The bolt hole spacing is different. You will need to drill new bolt holes and fill the extra holes.
The 74 bumper guards will fit the contour of the bumper, but will be too close to he valance using the earlier brackets.
Your best bet is to grab an earlier bumper and brackets.
If you want to use your 74, I have a bumper brackets and I think bumper gaurs brackets form my 74...I can have a look if you want.
Jason