Beating a dead horse/ bumper..

[Ironracer]

Ok. I know this is a repeat issue. I'm trying to shave a few pounds of the 74 Duster. She has the stupid five mile an hour junk in the front and the rear. I can't locate any 73 bumpers and I don't want to go to fiberglass in the front because it's A Streetcar in the Tampa area. I found a set of front and rear brackets that fit the 70 71 and 72 style bumpers I know those brackets are not a direct bolt on as the shape of the bumpers in 73 and up are different. I was wondering if grabbing aftermarket brackets would be a good starting point? To maybe add some spacers ( Or a mid point braket) and possibly hack up the guard rails that are in my bumper now ( to lose weight, and possibly move them,if required) while tossing those giant steel shock absorbers in the scrap pile.... I'm thinking if I got those maybe it would be a good starting point, instead of straight up fabrication of special frame to bumper brackets, and bumper bracket to frame bracket mounts,and bumper brackets, as I cant weld very good.

 

[rumblefish360]

Does the car “Need to have” steel bumpers to pass inspection? If not, then I see no reason not to use a fiberglass bumper.

I have never seen (though I never looked) adapter brackets for bumpers. What I have seen is people getting creative making there own brackets out of steel or aluminum.

I also can not weld very well. It really is a lack of practice. That’s it. As long as you get the weld penetrating both of the metal parts you want joined, your good to go. You can stitch weld it up. 1 little tack after another until the parts are joined. It may not look great, but you’ll know there good. Grind smooth to finish. Any gaps? Hit it again! Grind smooth again.

 

[go-fish]

I'm in a situation where my 73 Duster came to me without a front bumper. Sadly it's a one year only deal. I'm on the hunt for bumper and brackets too. I know it isn't feasible for a company to reproduce one year only parts but it would be nice.

 

[rumblefish360]

A ‘73 bumper was a 1 year only deal?

 

[Ironracer]

A ‘73 bumper was a 1 year only deal?

I think so

 

[Ironracer]

Does the car “Need to have” steel bumpers to pass inspection? If not, then I see no reason not to use a fiberglass bumper.

I have never seen (though I never looked) adapter brackets for bumpers. What I have seen is people getting creative making there own brackets out of steel or aluminum.

I also can not weld very well. It really is a lack of practice. That’s it. As long as you get the weld penetrating both of the metal parts you want joined, your good to go. You can stitch weld it up. 1 little tack after another until the parts are joined. It may not look great, but you’ll know there good. Grind smooth to finish. Any gaps? Hit it again! Grind smooth again.

No, we don't have inspections here. Just wanted some.level of protection for the car. People are idiots here. I just had a guy offer me a brand new little Miller 110 Mig for a hundred bucks a few month ago.... I should have jumped on it

 

[MarPar]

I just had a guy offer me a brand new little Miller 110 Mig for a hundred bucks a few month ago.... I should have jumped on it

 

[go-fish]

A ‘73 bumper was a 1 year only deal?

Style change in '73 and then federal regulations for bumpers affected the design of bumpers for 74. 73 Dusters were just unfortunate to get a style change right before the new regs hit. Back to the drawing board for 74.