HOT WHEELS 1973! (TK73 Charger Rebuild/Fire/Rebuild Again)

[RallyeMike]

More progress on TK73's Charger:

1. Picked up more wire-feed wire and the 2-1/2" Summit dual exhaust went in this weekend.

2. Cleaning up wiring prior to re-install and modifications to extend wires for BB distributor and coil.

[RallyeMike]

Also, converting the car to 71-72 style bumpers in order to lose the crusty bumper fillers and clean up the looks of the car. There were few extra holes in this one due to a trailer hitch, but the bumper is nice.... so we will fill the two extra holes with a couple of chrome bumper bolts.

One thing we didnt think about is that in order to fit the bumpers closer to the body, you need to use the shorter 71-72 filler neck on the fuel tank. It sure is handy having a parts shed full of stuff... didnt take long to come up with one.

More complete every week.....

[AirborneSilva]

Could you give a little more detail in how you pulled the back bumper in?  I want to do this to my 73 as well.  Thanks and keep up the great work 

[RallyeMike]

Could you give a little more detail in how you pulled the back bumper in?  I want to do this to my 73 as well.

Silva, its pretty basic if you round up the right parts.

1. You need the 2 black bumper support brackets from at 71-72 car (pictured above). They are narrower, and suck the bumper in closer to the body.
2. Strip out your 73 bumper and install the 71-72 brackets in lieu of the 73 brackets.
3. Remove the filler molding from the 73 bumpers.
4. Change your gas tank filler tube to the shorter 71-72 tube.
5. Bolt it all back in.

Where it can get hairy is if you choose to change your whole bumper to the 71-72 bumper. The bumperettes on a 71-72 vs 73-74 are at a different location. If you change the bumper to 71-72, the bumperettes wont align with the 73 valance holes. We used a 71-72 bumper and are just not installing any bumperettes at all. If you also change your 73 valance to 71-72, you can make it work and install the smaller 71-72 bumperettes.

The same goes for the front bumper. Use 71-72 brackets to suck it in. Alternatively, you can do some cutting on the mounting holes and a little mods to the frame and use the existing 73 brackets. It's easier to just find some 71-72 brackets to get the job done.

[AirborneSilva]

Thank you Mike, I was going to just modify the front bumper brackets to get it sucked in but looks like I will have to find the rear brackets from a 71-72 for the back.  I plan on removing the front and rear bumperettes and filling in the holes on the rear valance. 

Thanks again and keep up the great work on the 73!

[TK73]

I need to extend a HUGE THANKS to Mike for all the work he's doing    


I've had some health issues which slowed me down from helping a lot... I mean the CIA had me out doing some "work"... 

Car should be done SOON!  

[Finn]

Very cool. Can't wait to see it finished.

[TK73]

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning... 

Taillight surrounds and grille inserts going semi-gloss black

[TK73]

Window trim went to a perfessional to shine up...

[TK73]

Sick of wire-wheeling brackets!!   

I think there are twice as many to clean as were pulled off the car... maybe they reproduce?

[TK73]

 

[HalfastJav]

 

   Im takin em for my car        

[HalfastJav]

Just a slight set back on all our projects including your trim as an 8" diameter limb busted , took out the power line, ripped the meter and pole right off the shop. A nervous several hours until we found a power company crew down the street and begged for an emergency disconnect. Metal building arcing wires no fun. DAMN SNOW........ Not to mention a few hours later the neighbors were pulling into their driveway when the top of a 120 ft tree snapped and took out the power line and their car with them in it.  What a night...........

[HalfastJav]

 

[Mr.gunns72swinger]

day later i lost my tooth and ended up with stiches wow half you were there too  you must be good luck    

[TK73]

Test fitting grill after modifying headlight bucket due to recessed bumper...

Painting grill and buckets BLACK soon

[TK73]

Valance on!!

1/2 JAV... Will need help on shining up the bumpers!!

[RallyeMike]

A lot of people are wondering what it takes to get rid of the bumper filler on a 73-74. Here's how we did the front:

1) To look like this.....

2) Slot the mounting holes on the bumper brackets quite a bit - all the way to the angle in the bracket in the front hole, and equally on the rear hole.

3) Take a wedge out of the front outboard sides of the frame to allow the angle of the bumper bracket to slide back as far as possible. Pic shows the frame cut, hammered, and welded back together.

4) If you don't take this wedge out of the frame, you'll struggle getting the bumper all the way back as far as you want it.

Or of course, you could always just use just use 71-72 bumper brackets........ but where's the fun in that?

As TK mentioned, the 73-74 headlight buckets work fine with the 73-74 grille using this approach. It helps to trim about 3/8" off the back of the rubber rubber surround that fits over the headlight.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Or of course, you could always just use just use 71-72 bumper brackets........ but where's the fun in that?

I thought the 71-72 brackets only worked for the rear bumper, and that slotting the front brackets was the only option.  Has anyone else used 71-21 brackets for the front on a 73-74 to eliminate the filler?

[RallyeMike]

Quote from: RallyeMike on Today at 12:04:30 AM
Or of course, you could always just use just use 71-72 bumper brackets........ but where's the fun in that?


I thought the 71-72 brackets only worked for the rear bumper, and that slotting the front brackets was the only option.  Has anyone else used 71-21 brackets for the front on a 73-74 to eliminate the filler?

Thanks for pointing this out. I assumed that 71-72 brackets would work, but have not tried it myself. I have a full 72 bumper and brackets that I might try and measure and compare.

[FLG]

I don't think 71-2 brackets will work for the front

[mopar73]

Great work!  I'm envious of the work you can get done in a short time.

[E5 Charger]

The front bumper is how it should of fit from the factory. It looks awesome! I will have to do this. How long is the slot that you cut? Is it right against the bolt? Great job guys. The car is looking great!

[RallyeMike]

The slot in the front hole is cut all the way to the point where the bracket angels. The rear slot is cut the same length. The bolt is nearly all the way to the front of the slot.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning... 
Taillight surrounds and grille inserts going semi-gloss black

Did you buy NOS tail light lenses or did you scrub those clean?