The Dodge Challenger Message Board

has anyone removed the front and rear bumpers on a 74? I need to have them re-chromed. Also, should I remove the rubber 5 mph bumpers. They are ugly.

1rallye wrote:8) has anyone removed the front and rear bumpers on a 74?

No, but I have removed the bumpers on my ´70 Challenger. The build-up is pretty much the same I guess. I suggest that you unscrew the four frame rails bolts and lift off the complete bumper + bumper bracket package at the same time. (The only reasonable way to do it?)

1rallye wrote:Also, should I remove the rubber 5 mph bumpers. They are ugly.

I thought you were intrested in building the car YOUR way? I am not sure if you will wind up with a couple of uncovered bolt holes if you do it that way? Maybe it would be a good idea to buy a bumper from another year or something? Maybe someone else has something to add?

christer wrote:

1rallye wrote:8) has anyone removed the front and rear bumpers on a 74?

No, but I have removed the bumpers on my ´70 Challenger. The build-up is pretty much the same I guess. I suggest that you unscrew the four frame rails bolts and lift off the complete bumper + bumper bracket package at the same time. (The only reasonable way to do it?)

1rallye wrote:Also, should I remove the rubber 5 mph bumpers. They are ugly.

I thought you were intrested in building the car YOUR way? I am not sure if you will wind up with a couple of uncovered bolt holes if you do it that way? Maybe it would be a good idea to buy a bumper from another year or something? Maybe someone else has something to add?

I think the boltholes in the bumper is not looking good at all, but even worse is the big holes you will have on the steel plate beneath the bumper. My car did not have those ugly (my oppinion) rubber bumpers, and i got those holes... this is something i should do something about one day, it does not look good at all like christer was meantion. I should suggest you weld those holes in both the bumpers then rechrome it, and the steelplate, and then paint that. Plus it would be cheaper then get a pair of new ones... If you got a pair of new bumpers from a 70, 71, you must have the smaller chrome instead of rubber bumpers anyway, and even if those look better, would'nt it be cooler to skip them once and for all... That would look so sweet and clean, maybe you allready have thought about that? Please update us with this process 1rallye

He could get rid of the Bumper Pad's up front with a pair of chrome bumper stud's and a pair of 70-72 bumper bracket's. The rear is the same, except, he need's the 70-72 bumperette chrome fill's, or pad's to fill those slotted hole's in the rear valence.

Thanks for the Information and diagram. I also appreciate the comments and ideas. I will update after I start the body work. This 74 has some rust issues, but I only paid $7500.00 for it and it runs and drives.

1rallye wrote:This 74 has some rust issues

You are not alone. That is for sure. Good luck with your car. It looks like a nice driver to me.

Nice driver, and a good price. How's the rest of the car? Interrior, engine etc....

The Engine is a 318 and the tranny is a 3 speed manual. It runs and drives good. The guy I bought it from was in financial trouble and had planned on dropping a bored out 360 into it. He had to move from CA back to Denver and sold me the car. He also gave me the 360 block which is bored out and has the pistons, bearings, and crank installed. He gave me the cam, oil pump, timing chain, torque converter, intake manifold, and headers. All new parts. His loss was my gain. The interior isn't too bad, but the seats need recovering. I am going to recover the seats, replace the header and carpet to start, and go from there to the body. I may have to replace the body panels, they look ggod from the outside, but they are thin in spots because of rust. I am also looking for a A833 4 speed to replace the 3 speed.

I will fill you in on the progress as I work on it.

Are you going to keep the Top Bananna Yellow, or change to something else. I used to not like yellow, now I'm partial to it. Here's mine. I may get rid of my bumper pad's also, I don't know yet. I get mixed review's around my neck of the wood's. It's a true #'s 340 car, and unlike some people, wife included. I like them. That go's for the side protective molding too. All that stuff is on the tag. Why not keep it? Good luck! I'll say again, you got a good deal! Check out ebay and Autabuy link's. P.S. I think I saw a 4 speed for sale on craigslist, the other day in Oregon.

Patrick,

I love your rallye. Mine is an SE with the rallye dash. I am not going to make it a clone, but I am going to put a R/T hood on it. The yellow paint is not a good paint job. I think they painted it to keep it from rusting. The original 74 color is Avocado Gold, a dark green with gold flake. I found it under the hood. The car doesnt have a fender tag, so I had to look up the
original color. I plan on painting it the that color. Thanks for the tip about Craigs List. Thats where I found the Challenger.

Take care,

John

John, there's no such thing as a 74 SE, just plain Challengers and Challengers with a Rallye package.

Ok,

Thanks. That was what the guy that sold it to me said. It does have a sway bar and the rallye dash, but it is not a Rallye.