AdamR
Big Member
Will a 72 bumper bolt up to my 73s brackets if I loose the big heavy reinforcement or do I need to swap brackets also ?
Are you talking about the front or rear bumper? You mentioned about the heavy reinforcement, they didn't come out with the shock absorbing "5 mph" bumper on the rear until 1974. I did see a 1974 Duster with shock absorbing front bumper but it was a "one off" which I never saw again. Are you sure you have a 1973 and not 1974-76?
I've taken apart one of those shock absorbing bumpers and they weigh over 100#'s each front or back. The rear didn't have the holes to mount the 1973 bumper brackets that I had so you'd have to be creative with it.
If I remember right the 1970-72 were different from the later models. The 1971-72 had the slot for the bumper jack while the 1970 didn't. That makes the 1973 a "one off" year. 1974-76 are the same. I'm talking about the rear bumper here.
1973 did in fact have the 5mph Spoonbill bumpers. I JUST pulled the rear on a 1973. I have it for sale if that makes life easier for anyone.
All the '74 Dusters and Sports I've seen had the "shock absorber brackets" in the rear only. '75 and later had them front and rear and I've seen a lot!
If you are changing the rear, bumpers are the same , with the exception of the rubber bumperettes.
I am pretty sure to make 1972 style bumpers fit you would have to change fenders and hood so it would look right. I am not sure about the rear bumper though.
.........u need to change the lower filler also., dont need to change fenders...kim.............
The 74 Dusters came with a shock absorbing rear bumper and a non-shock absorbing front bumper. I believe all 4 doors in 74 came with shocks on both bumpers. BTW, I have a shock absorbing front in excellent condition if anyone is interested...............I needed all the 72 stuff, bumpers and brackets on my 74,front and rear... but some 73s didnt have the 5 mph shock bumpers...too bad as my 74 bumpers are perfect.......kim........
I have a 74 .has the junk on both..Are you talking about the front or rear bumper? You mentioned about the heavy reinforcement, they didn't come out with the shock absorbing "5 mph" bumper on the rear until 1974. I did see a 1974 Duster with shock absorbing front bumper but it was a "one off" which I never saw again. Are you sure you have a 1973 and not 1974-76?
I've taken apart one of those shock absorbing bumpers and they weigh over 100#'s each front or back. The rear didn't have the holes to mount the 1973 bumper brackets that I had so you'd have to be creative with it.
If I remember right the 1970-72 were different from the later models. The 1971-72 had the slot for the bumper jack while the 1970 didn't. That makes the 1973 a "one off" year. 1974-76 are the same. I'm talking about the rear bumper here.
It did. Mine has them. Wanna lose that heavy junk, but retain the steel bumperI have a 74 Dart Sport that has the shock bumpers front and rear. I believe it came that way. Couldn't swear to it though.