I am wondering if you can put a 1972 El Camino rear bumper on a 1972 Chevelle wagon. I have no use for the dual action tailgate, just folding down is fine with me. I'm basically trying to get rid of the ugly stepped wagon bumper with the cleaner El Camino bumper. Anyone do this? What modifications would I have to do to make it work?

To start with ,,, You will have to NOTCH the Camino bumper to match the one you are taking off , Due to the fact for the tailgate to lay down like a P/U look on the right side, You will see the pivot stud for the gate to lock on to lay down. The rear of a TWO way gate wagon is sooooooooo different.
The best thing to do is keep it oiled up and do not touch it.
To start a project like you want too. It will make " Nightmare on Elm Street " look like a Funny Movie!!
Bob

You are right about the hinge location. Guess I am stuck with the funky notch.

To follow up on this post...

Could I buy a repop El Camino rear bumper and just cut a notch in it for the hinge like the factory bumper has? I guess what I need to know is if the wagon bumper is different than the El Camino bumper besides the notch cut-out and the light/reflector cutouts on the El Camino bumper. Are the mounting locations the same? Anything else that might interfere with the tailgate action?

I'm considering doing this because my wagon bumper is a little banged up and the chrome is peeling on it. I figure it would be cheaper and easier just to get a repop and cut a notch in it rather than sending my factory bumper out to get straightened and rechromed. All I would have to do is get the filler piece rechromed. Am I missing something here or would this work?

I am with Adam above, has anyone modded/notched an Elco bumper to fit?

I have several cores that are straighter the my Wagons bumper...

Tom

I am with Adam above, has anyone modded/notched an Elco bumper to fit?

I have several cores that are straighter the my Wagons bumper...

Tom

Could you maybe take a look at the bumpers side by side and see if there are any differences besides the notch? I think it would help a lot of us wagon guys out!

Another thing I thought about... would cutting the bumper with say, a cutoff wheel, damage the surrounding chrome? Would masking the area with tape be a good idea, or would the chrome flake off around the cut either way?

The chrome plating Co. in Tenn. will remove the dents and plate your Org. Wagon bumper for $250.00. I had mine re-plated.
Tri City Plating--1-800-251-7536 or 423-542-1691 Ask for Porter.
Bob

Thanks for the info. I emailed them requesting a quote.

Quoted from Tri-City Plating -

"The cost to have your 72 Chevelle wagon bumpers rechromed would be: $325 each, if the filler piece is die-cast we can not chrome it, call if it is steel to get a price. Shipping back to TX would be approx. $55-$65 each bumper."

That comes out to around $435 on the low end... without getting it straightened or including the filler piece.

Repros can be had for $160 or so + shipping ($50?) one way. In other words - less than half the price.

I'm still leaning towards modding a repro as far as costs are concerned...

I plan on replacing my bumper also. Will probably do it next spring.
Doesn't look like it'll be a horror movie plot though. Just abit of comon sense.
Doing alot of body/engine work right now, so bumper is on down the list.
Good luck on yours!

It looks like the notch that needs to be cut out of the El Camino bumper to make it fit a wagon would interfere with passenger side reflector cut-out. There goes that idea... unless I'm looking at it wrong.

Do all 68-72 El Camino bumpers have the reflector cut-outs? What about fiberglass options?

Hi all, I have a question. Can anybody tell me how many bolts there are when you're taking off the rear bumper on the wagon? It's so hard to see where they all are, I thought maybe someone who's done it before might have a few tricks or advice. I am doing body work and the bumper need to come off so we can weld in the patch panels. Thanks:waving:

Just unbolt the bumper brackets from the frame. It's a lot easier than wrestling all the bumper bolts from the brackets.

I agree, pull the bumper off with the brackets. Also, the bumper is somewhat challenging to put on due to the tailgate bottom hinge on the right side. I would put painting tape on the bumper and body to protect them both while installing the bumper. If you need further advice please let me know, I spent 3+ hours getting the bumper to a point where I liked it!

Also if someone needs a good core wagon bumper I have a extra one from my build....1970-72 model with factory cut out.

not only is the notch not there but i am pretty sure the bumper bolts are all in different locations