Front bumper fiasco(sp)

[macedew]

So I remove the front bumper and notice that there is only one bracket on each side that runs from the frame to the outer mounting holes on the bumper. I pulled out the extra pair that I have and the are 2 pieces that kind of form a "y" shape. I look at the part numbers and they are different, plus the frame holes on the two sets are different. The part number that is on the bumper currently is: 3686163-L and 3686162-R

The ones that are on my extra set are: 3464334, 3464330, 3464335, and 346331.

The first set has the frame holes in a line. The second set has the frame holes offset from each other. he second set does not seem to look like it would mount up correctly. My car is a '73. The bumper is a '71/'72.




Any info as to which are correct for the car would be great.

[eckertc1]

71 are definitely staggered mounting holes, I believe 72 are as well but I would have to verify that with my extra set that I can't dig out tonight.

My guess is that the 73 uses the strait inline mounting pattern but this would have to be verified by someone with a parts manual or another 73 owner.

The good news, if I am not mistaken, is that the other end where it mounts to the bumper itself should be the same. so just find the set that mount correctly to your frame and you should be all set.

Anyone have contradicting info on this? I can't verify this without seeing a 73-74 setup.

[Nacho-RT74]

frame rails are diff between 71/72 and 73/74, so do the bumper brackets to them.

you need to match brackets with frame rails... all will match with any bumper

[eckertc1]

Johnny Cash says different, nothing wrong with some mix and match

[macedew]

Nice one eckert. I'll fix it one piece ata time.
The followup question would then be, should there be another bracket for the '73/'74 that goes to the middle mounting holes on the bumper?

I also guess that I have a pair of '71/'72 front bumper brackets taht I might be getting rid of.

[Nacho-RT74]

yes... 71/72 and 73/74 uses same kind of brackets, just diff at frame rail ( not sure if ONLY the staggered bolts like some diff shape too, like I do believe )... both setups consist on 4 of them, and center ones will match with bumper guard location. You'll notice they are round, and not squared like carriage bolts, because no need for those being the bumper guard bolt

then also top braces to top of fender are diff between 71/72 and 73/74

but then my next question is... if your car is a 73 you already must have the brackets on car... or not ?

[eckertc1]

Nov 9, 2009 22:04:25 GMT -5 eckertc1 said:

The good news, if I am not mistaken, is that the other end where it mounts to the bumper itself should be the same. so just find the set that mount correctly to your frame and you should be all set.

So this statement is true then nacho?

I think you lost me somewhere in translation on this one. Where they mount to the frame rails is different but where they mount to the bumper they are the same is how I read it. Is this incorrect?

Sorry for the hijack macedew but now I'm just curious

**EDIT** Never mind nacho, I simply read your post wrong. I think I understand now. And once again, thanks for the being a great source of info. ;D

[macedew]

Yes, I have the brackets(see last pic above), but the inner brackets are missing for the '73/;74 that I have. Ill have to track some down somewhere. This explains a lot of why my bumper was moving so much when I rotated the car in the garage on the wheel dollies.

[son7771]

fill in the holes in new brackets and drill out new ones?

[macedew]

Thats what i might end up doing. Ill have to see.
Thanks to everyone for all the info.
Once again your are a wealth of knowledge.