jr's 1974 • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by jr » 29 Apr 2004 22:18

Just some photos of my car. Bought new digital camera week ago and took couple pictures.

First one is old photo taken two years ago.

During last weekend I replaced bent front bumper with used one and modified brackets a bit so bumper is closer to body than supposed to be on 1974 models.

Also installed oil pressure, water temp and RPM gauges. Those are 2 5/8" Autometers. I chose that size since those fit holes on standard Challenger dash. I didn't put them to dash yet. Too much work for now - will do that later and get same style fuel gauge and put them all to dash cluster.

There's couple photos of interior as well. Seats and dash has been redone recently. Althought not original I think it's pretty good looking.

And as you can see from last photo it's been collecting dust for last two years.

by **insuranceguy** » 29 Apr 2004 23:35

Did you modify the brackets on the new replacement bumper? I would like to move my bumper in and eliminate the ugly looking plastic spacer that came with the car.

by jr » 30 Apr 2004 4:43

insuranceguy wrote:Did you modify the brackets on the new replacement bumper? I would like to move my bumper in and eliminate the ugly looking plastic spacer that came with the car.

I didn't modify them on bumper end, only part that connects to frame as you can see on those photos. I had to replace two bolts that connect bumper to brackets from bottom with different ones since otherwise they would touch body. Hard to explain in foreign language - guess I'll take another bad photo. It's tight fit since when you push bumper those brackets get real close to bottom of grille and screws of parks/turn-signals (one that goes from down to up). I'm not sure if it will be like that on your car since mine has been in frontend collision sometime in past and fit of grille and other parts in front is less than perfect.

I attached two photos. Tight places are behind bumper where I drew arrows. I'll take better photos for you later.

by **insuranceguy** » 30 Apr 2004 20:04

Thank you for your information, jr. I took the photos to my body guy, and he said no problem! So now I don't have to search the world for the spacer that the 73 & 74 used.

Todd

by jr » 01 May 2004 19:02

by jr » 08 May 2004 20:38

Washed it and drove a bit today. Also took it to yearly inspection required by government and it passed. There nasty sound coming from somewhere in front of engine occasionally. I hope it's just waterpump but worried it might be something worst.

by **dave-r** » 08 May 2004 21:33

Water pump. For sure if you drained the water for any length of time.

It looks a lot better for a wash i must say!