Front bumper question on my 73 challenger

[HYDRO]

Good afternoon have a question concerning the front bumper on my73 challenger. As y’all know my bumper has the knee knocking front bumper that sticks out a country mile and though I would like her original I’m thinking on bringing the bumper in and do away with the reinforcement, bumper guards and filler strips. Would that be possible if I got the 72 bumper and mounting brackets any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Absolutely possible , I have modified many E bodies this way .
The 72 brackets may line up with the frame holes or you may have to drill new holes in the 72 brackets to line up

 

[Challenger RTA]

 

[Juan Veldez]

I snugged mine up using all original 73 pieces. I shifted it back using the front two holes in the bumper brackets and without the reinforcement bar. I can't remember if I had to hog out one of the holes a little bit in the brackets, but it pushed it back about 3" inches.

 

[HYDRO]

Thank you gentlemen for your knowledgeable input and food for thought. Juan your beautiful challenger is the look I’m wanting to have so are you using 73 bumpers with bumper bolts to fill in the bumper guard holes and did you do the same for the rear bumper also I’m assuming you did away with the reinforcement bars

 

[Juan Veldez]

Thank you gentlemen for your knowledgeable input and food for thought. Juan your beautiful challenger is the look I’m wanting to have so are you using 73 bumpers with bumper bolts to fill in the bumper guard holes and did you do the same for the rear bumper also I’m assuming you did away with the reinforcement bars

For the back, I did some mods to the original 73 bumper brackets to get the snug fit. Couldn't find the early brackets at the time, so I went with what I had. For the front bumper, I filled the holes with bolts if they connected to anything or not. It's been awhile and don't remember how that all came together. I know the reinforcement bar(s) where not installed. I still have those, the fillers, and the bumperettes in case I ever sell it and someone wants to go back to the original look. Good luck!

 

[BSG]

I just welded up all the extra holes and bolted the bumper straight to the car tacked the bumper bolts to the bumper removed the assy welded up the mount bolts ground them smooth. If you are going chrome you will need to metal finish it straight and even. It takes skill but its not hard for anyone who is capable of retoring one of these cars.
If you are going to color match like I did on my 72 then a little allmetal or filler blocked smooth after grinding will make it look like its "floating" or attached with no hardware.