Did you figger out the problems with the Ranger?
Yeah sometimes it smokes like an 1880's steam locomotive! Sometimes it only smokes a little.
On my 73, I thought I had the same setup, with a shock absorber. What I have are just regular bumper brackets that bolt to the frame, that just make the bumper stick out further. I pulled the bumper off today and I am going to slot the attachment holes or relocate them so I can move the bumper inward.
Lucky you, are the pics of your bumper project somewhere else on FABO?
LOL that's what I call working with whatcha got at it's finest! If ya paint it the original color tho, that keeps your options open of everything still being the same color (jambs, underhood, trunk). If ya had to peddle it, you wouldn't have to do anything. But if you know you will be keeping it, then do what you want!
Have fun, wish I was going!! :hello2:Rog