Jeep bumpers size

I have a 74 CJ5 with homemade bumpers-badly homemade bumpers. While looking through several aftermarket parts mags, I have found very little that goes back to 1974. However in the one or two that I have found, the front bumper may go as for back as the 1960's or 1950's but the back bumper will only go back as for as 1975 or '76. I know that somewhere along this time the body was widened. How does this affect this width of the bumpers? I am assuming that the bumpers would be wider than a bumper for my 74. Yes?
If I had anything capable of cutting/trimming the excess on the ends, straight,would this really mess up the bumper? Thanks.

 

Heres some measurements from a 76 front end that worked for my 74. For the rear, if you double check the mount points for the bumper and there is nothing in the way, just drill holes thru the crossmember to mount. If you plan to pull on it, go a different route so as to reinforce.

http://picasaweb.google.com/irmosc/OtherStuff

Look at the end of this gallery for front mount ideas and rear. My guy who built mine used the same as a 76 and I adapted.
http://picasaweb.google.com/irmosc/74JeepCJ502

 

I hear you. Ever since I bought my 75 I have been looking for a rear bumper and tire carrier. I have yet to find one for a 75 or earlier. I am buying a Hobart mig welder this weekend! I will be in the process of building a rear bumper tire carrier , of course I'll get some ideas here and share.

Kent

 

What most call the rear "bumper" before 1976 is actually the rear cross member - there's no actual bumper. You could get chrome bumpers starting in '72, but I think they are the same as the Commando bumpers, maybe with different brackets. The front bumber on a 72-75 is the same as the earlier CJs, though in those years the bumper bolts on, while before '72 it is riveted on.

I don't think the body was ever widened - the Wrangler may be wider, but CJs remained the same width to the end of the run. The rear spring mounts were widened in '76, and this changed the rear crossmember. The axle width was increased in '82, which requires flares and makes the Jeep look wider, but the body is the same width.

There were also aftermarket rear step bumpers available - sometimes these show up on the used market. Any rear step bumper for a '55-71 will also fit a '72-75.