how can you get around the bumper fill pieces

[trudysduster]

I have a 1976 Duster and can anyone tell me if there is a way to put a bumper on here and do away with the fill piece between the bumper. I was told you could go to a 70-72 style bumper but the brackets dont line up and the grill on the front wont meet the same curve of the bumpers. Do they make a different bracket to fit these or do you have to fabricate one. Could use any help. That fill piece just dont look right.

 

[memike]

I helped do this to a 72 Charger and just duplacted the mounts with hand made mounts, Be carfull I think you have shock mounts on a 76 Duster I think.
A tec will jump in and help you soon, I have never dun or seen a 76 duster shortened, I do agree the bumpers look nice pulled in closer to the body.
Give someone time to chime in

 

[RedFish]

You'll need bumper and brackets. The only real difference is the bolt hole spacing where nuts are welding inside the frame rails. One way to solve that is to use a nut like comes with some triler hitches. It is a 1/2 inch thick piece of steel that wont spin inside the frame but small enough to move around some.. Threaded hole in it and a coat hanger like wire welded to it for placing behind the new bolt hole.

 

[blue missile]

Could you,post some pics of the current condition? My interchange book stops at 74. Does the front grill have a 'V' in the center like 73-74 or is it straight like 70-72?
I may be able to help, I have a little bumper experience, but I need more info.
Andrew

 

[Burntorange70]

If it has the shock type bumper mounts then you can bring it in more flush.

If you look under the car at your B mounts and they are big round cylinder. You have the shock type mount. First drill a hole into the shock so the fluid in side can drane out. Then you should be able to push the bumper in where you want it. After that weld the holes you drilled back up to lock the bumper back in place.


I have seen this done before and I think it looks a lot better that way and you can also toss the junky looking plastic bumper filler panel. And best of all it does not cost any thing to do. Good luck.
__________________

 

[trudysduster]

yes the grill comes into a v. I just bought another Duster this weekend. It is a 1973 and the bumpers on it does not have the 5 mph shocks on it.the bumpers on it is close to the body. So I am going to do some checking and maybe the brackets have the same bolt holes and then I will know what to buy. The bumpers on it look to be the same as a 72 Duster.

 

[blue missile]

Where are you located? I have an extra set of brackets sitting next to the Missile? They came with the extra bumper from Texas acres. The 72 does not come to a point like the 73.
Andrew

 

[trudysduster]

I am in Dry Ridge,Ky. half way between Cincinnati and lexington,Ky.