Narrowed, Shaved, and Tucked 75 Dart bumper mod.
Hey guys and gals. Been a while since I have been active on the forum. Been keeping busy with other projects and have just been driving the Valiant.
Anyhow, I recently had a guy (now a friend) referred to me for some metal work. Initially he wanted me to make replacement panels for the plastic "filler panels" between the bumper and the body. He had hoped I could shape some new ones and then he could remedy the unappealing gap left from the dry rotted parts gone missing and or broken and in disrepair.
After he paid me a visit I suggested rather than putting a band aid on it, lets modify the bumpers to clean them up a bit. I was happy to hear he was willing to trust me even though I could tell he didn't quite see my vision.
I took a look and was very surprised how ill fitting these bumpers were to begin with. I understand they were given room for travel due to the hydraulic action they are designed for, but had never stopped to see just how big the gaps were.
Its at this point I decided that in the front, I would split the bumper in the middle and narrow it, keeping the peak and angles as they should be. The next absolutely "offensive to the eye" item was the license plate mounting area. To me it just looks horrible, but that's my opinion. (We all know what that's worth!) :)
Aside from that, the bumper then needed to be tucked in closer to the body. See below for pictures of the front.
Here are the original gap pictures. All stock of course.
Ill stop here and make a new post with the modification pictures to the front bumper, then move on to the rear.
Anyhow, just figured there are some here who may like to see this. :)
Hey guys and gals. Been a while since I have been active on the forum. Been keeping busy with other projects and have just been driving the Valiant.
Anyhow, I recently had a guy (now a friend) referred to me for some metal work. Initially he wanted me to make replacement panels for the plastic "filler panels" between the bumper and the body. He had hoped I could shape some new ones and then he could remedy the unappealing gap left from the dry rotted parts gone missing and or broken and in disrepair.
After he paid me a visit I suggested rather than putting a band aid on it, lets modify the bumpers to clean them up a bit. I was happy to hear he was willing to trust me even though I could tell he didn't quite see my vision.
I took a look and was very surprised how ill fitting these bumpers were to begin with. I understand they were given room for travel due to the hydraulic action they are designed for, but had never stopped to see just how big the gaps were.
Its at this point I decided that in the front, I would split the bumper in the middle and narrow it, keeping the peak and angles as they should be. The next absolutely "offensive to the eye" item was the license plate mounting area. To me it just looks horrible, but that's my opinion. (We all know what that's worth!) :)
Aside from that, the bumper then needed to be tucked in closer to the body. See below for pictures of the front.
Here are the original gap pictures. All stock of course.
Ill stop here and make a new post with the modification pictures to the front bumper, then move on to the rear.
Anyhow, just figured there are some here who may like to see this. :)
