73 bumper fillers and bumper guards

[Tilar]

My 73 came with the style of bumper guard on the left in this picture. I bought a little nicer bumper that supposedly is from a 73 that has the guards that are on the right side of this pic. The turn signal housings have 73 on them. Were they different between a Rallye and an SE maybe? If you look in the next picture, the straps that go from the bumper guards down to the frame are in a different location too.

The pic of the bumper fillers, what can be used to clean them up?







Now, For the bumper fillers, Is there anything that I can use to either clean the fillers up or can I maybe paint them with something that might make them look better?

[klutch]

Tilar, for the bumper guards I believe it's a difference of early and late build date although I'm not sure and someone may be able to confirm this, as for the bumper fillers I simply cleaned mine up, lightly scuffed with sand paper and rattle canned them with semi-flat black, it made a world of differance and since the meterial that their made of soaks the paint right up it tends to last well.

[Nacho-RT74]

the longer cushion is 74 bumper guard... the shorter is 73... yes 74s use a diff lower brace to attach directly to frame rail, instead the straight brace on 73 what attachs on an extra braket underbody

filler... just paint... dunno whats the best option to paint them, I use a regular spray can but needs quite often a touch up!

[Tilar]

I suspected they were 74 but the turn signal housings had 73 on them which is what prompted me to ask.

I had some SEM paint for plastic and it looks real good on the truck grill I painted, I wonder how a light color would do to touch up the fillers.     I think I'll try that.

Thanks guys.

[Nacho-RT74]

fillers are rubber ( or they were LOL ), not plastic... but maybe will work

73 and 74 tail lighst are the same... I think the only diff it could be 74 braces are somehow reinforced, but also maybe something just depending on what assembly plant got

[Tilar]

I wonder what the repercussions would be to leave off the lower braces?    I've been thinking of cutting the piece that hold the braces on the originals and do a quick tack weld so it doesnt burn through and mess up the chrome... But if I can leave them off then I wouldn't have to do anything other than change the rubber on the guards.

[Nacho-RT74]

I have been riding without the by years, untill I found them

to fit the 74 braces on a 73 I think you only need the J nuts to fit on frame rails ( and the bolts of course ). I thin 73s got same openings on frame rails to fit them. Not sure though