Can a step bumper be repaired? Is it worth it ?

[dman535]

The step bumper on the Mrs. 71 GMC is pretty badly bent up. Any suggestions on how to repair it? have it repaired? replace it?

I thought about the whole find a parking lot and try to push the center back in using a tree (or other stationary object), but I am afraid it would result in additional truck damage.

If my estimations are correct its a factory bumper.

[LongBox]

I can't see why a large shop press wouldn't straighten that right up. Then, remove old paint, and respray it, and you've got a new bumper.

Or, you could just go online, and order a new chrome rear step bumper for about $250, and make a drive-in Queen out of the truck.

[custom10nut]

It's very fixable if you want to keep it, and it won't cont much.
But you CAN get a nice shiney new one too. Ask the wife, it's her truck.

[Toms67]

X 2 On the wife. LOL.

[dmjlambert]

It looks to me like the bumper was made that way, with the bend in the back. Is the outside edge straight as it appears in the photo?

[rmc70]

Looks like an easy fix to me. Use a shop press and maybe a little heat. Paint it, and ready to roll.

[dman535]

You can see its pulled out in the middle. I thought a well placed push with a tree might move it back - but I also think it could cause a whole lot of other damage.

[Grumpy old man]

toss it and buy a new bumper .

[jeffahart]

I would definitely take a stab at bending it back. It looks like twisted and bent. Here's what I would do. From what it looks like to me from pics. I would leave it on the truck. Take a large pipe wrench and clamp it around the top and bottom of the left side. Use a long cheater bar on pipe wrench and bend the twist out. Then, take some blocks and jack the bumper at that center bend and whack at it with a double jack from the bottom. It will slowly work it's way out. If you need to pound on the top, use some dunnage so you don't mar visible portions of the bumper. Take your time and you will be able to get it pretty close to straight. Then Paint. Also, you can use a large crescent on the vertical portions of the diamond plate under the tail gate to massage it straight.

One of the nice things about an old pickup is you get to beat it back into submission

Good luck, have fun.

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

toss it and buy a new bumper .

+1

Greg

[Grumpy old man]

Its pretty easy to see it was over stressed towing something . what condition is the rear cross member in ? can it be straightened sure, Is it worth the time and effort ...Probably not .

[GASoline71]

I have an old step bumper from a 1972 GMC C20 you can have... but shipping to TN might cost a bit.

Gary

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Its pretty easy to see it was over stressed towing something . what condition is the rear cross member in ? can it be straightened sure, Is it worth the time and effort ...Probably not .

I would have to agree. Although I would take a whack at it(I'm an old bumper bender from way back). Those type step bumpers are a dime a dozen at wrecking yards. And you have a truck to go pick one up! Then all you need a bit of spray paint.

[Getter-Done]

If you have any way to clamp the passengers side down and twist the other side counter clockwise that would help. If you have a trailer floor to clamp it to? Use wood 2x4's on each side and Big C-Clamps.
If you have the time to spend on the repair it is well worth it because that is the bumper for that truck/ It is probably the original one.
Hope you can Save it
Getter Done

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by LongBox

I can't see why a large shop press wouldn't straighten that right up. Then, remove old paint, and respray it, and you've got a new bumper.

Or, you could just go online, and order a new chrome rear step bumper for about $250, and make a drive-in Queen out of the truck.

x2,I would use my press and straighten it, never mind, i saw the other pics you posted, it is twisted and bent, just find another one at a wrecking yard

[truckster]

Originally Posted by dman535

You can see its pulled out in the middle. I thought a well placed push with a tree might move it back - but I also think it could cause a whole lot of other damage.

NOOOOO!!!! That tailgate is way too nice to risk backing into a tree.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Mine was worse than yours. After about 30 - 35 years, I was tired of seeing it like that, so I took it off and a buddy and I straightened it out. The supports on mine had gotten bent near where they bolt to the rear frame. We hammered that flat. Then he welded back some tears near the edges. A little aluminum spray paint and it looked good again.
Stepside Safe-T--Bumpers are rare. I took off the mfr tag. Don't know if I'll restore that.
The main motivator was the need to bolt a Class 3 hitch on the back frame. Now it's all together with the hitch. Only drawback is that the bumper had to be raised a little to use the hitch, and that interferes with the stock license plate mounting under the tailgate on the left. So no license plate illuminator lamp. Just lookin' for trouble, I guess.

[special-K]

Is it worth it? No, not if you are in the business. And yes, when it's yours and not a matter of time vs money.

[SoCoC10]

I've got one you can have for free. Pretty straight but needs cleaning and paint. I'll post it in the for sale area too.