Modified 1974 Duster rear bumper

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DusterDaddy

DusterDaddy

sledgehammer mechanic
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Has anyone attempted to eliminate the rear bumper shock absorber devices on a 74 Duster to eliminate the need for the rubber filler piece between the body and the bumper?

If so, how does it look and how did you do it?

Thanks
 
Drill out and drain the shocks then push the bumper in where you want it and weld them up to lock it back in.


Could also make a new mount some how. Or change to an earlier mount and bumper.
 
I removed all the steel including the bumpers and fabbed aluminum brackets to hold the new fiberglass bumpers. I did both the front and rear. Lost a ton of weight. Of course I wouldn't want to get hit by a tricycle. I put short bumper bolts in all the old locations and am going to have the fiberglass sprayed with Cosmichrome or a similar system. I could have pics next week if you need some. Dan
 
I removed the inner bumper except for the area that mounts to the shock. I removed the shock and made a bracket that's kind of like a cross with a spacer between it. One flatbar is mounted to the stock bumper mount and the other flatbar is bolted to the body. The length of the spacer (I used an angle) is based on how far you want the bumper away from the body. Looks much better. I also did the same sorta thing to the front bumper and pulled it in to the body. I think the front looks a lot better too.
 
Mine is one of those early '74s with standard steel bumper brakets up front, no shock absorbing device, just the bumper gaurds, which I'm not putting back on.

In the back mine has the 2 shock like pistons with the inner bumper.

I'm going to try BurntOrange's suggestion and try to drain/compress the absorber permanently an see if I can get it to look nice without the rubber filler....
 
drill and drain rear and weld shut.
remove the metal filler piece off the brackets up front and that should bring it in closer.
 
If you cut the shocks open, gut the springs from them and you can push the inner tube up this far inside the outer tube.
I drilled a hole put a bolt through it so I can remove the rear bumper easily by pulling it out. (Note the trailer hitch). I was also able to lighten the honking heavy frame that backs the bumper up by cutting sections out of it.
You’ll find that when you pull the bumper if you haven’t already.
If I had to do this car over again, I would put the lighter weight 73 bumpers on it to begin with.
If I ever get time, I’m going to investigate putting a clean up 73 bumper on it by fabricating new mounts. It will get rid of more weight and is a cleaner looking bumper.
The only thing is that the earlier quarters have the divot. I’m going to do a mock up with one beforehand.
I think the 73 bumpers will fit, but it will be close.
 

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Dart Sport 360 said:
IMO the bumper is too low. By making some brackets you can tuck them up to the body. The one in the pic above looks like bad.
Click to expand...

My feelings are hurt.
Nah. Exactly what I'm saying sort of.
You can do it. And I did it. But the bumper is too damned big.
It's no lower than it was when it was sticking out. And it won't go any higher if you look at the body.
I did it because when I buit the car, some lady was selling rechromed bumpers on Ebay. Where she got them, who knows.
It was a simple thing to get a nice bumper on the car.
But I would change it over to an earlier bumper if I was doing it over again.
And someday I may.
Anyone want to by a nice 74 bumper? Ha.
 
I tucked mine in by doing like Burntorange suggested. I drilled a hole in the bottom of each of the shocks,drained the oil out,and welded the shocks in place. I had to have my father strap a tire to the brush guard on his truck and push on the bumper a few times before all the oil came out.
 
Solid procedure. Will try that when the time comes.


indie_cg said:
I tucked mine in by doing like Burntorange suggested. I drilled a hole in the bottom of each of the shocks,drained the oil out,and welded the shocks in place. I had to have my father strap a tire to the brush guard on his truck and push on the bumper a few times before all the oil came out.
Click to expand...
 
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