66 Panel bumpers

[psycotruckr]

Me again, anybody know where I can find a rear bumper for a '66 PANEL? It has no cut out area for a tag area (my tag is on the door). The bumper I took off is garbage, bent, welded on, and generally good for growing rust. I have seen a couple of pics with a nice crome one looking new. Also is there any difference between the front bumper on a PU Vs. a Panel? Thanks

[padresag]

we are a long ways apart. there is a diffference in the bolt spacing as at the rear the frame is wider
ron

[Josh]

Wow, that is a tough one to find. Normally we don't allow WTB type threads for non subscribers. However, in this case I am making an exception as this is a hard to find part for a rare truck. Good luck with the search!

[Muleman100]

Good luck in finding one. It took me months to locate one for my Burb. Finally bought one off a panel truck. The front and back bumpers are not compatible for the hole patterns are different.

[padresag]

you won't find a chrome one from a panel as they were more than likely all painet except for a special order. You would find a chrome one from a suburban. as I said I am a long ways away but I do have a painted one off of my 64 4 x 4 panel
ron

[wild one]

It is possible to use a factory factory front bumper for the rear of a suburban or panel truck, I have one on the rear of my panel. The only difference that I've ever noticed is the spacing of the two inner bolts - the front bumper has two stamped dimples to recess the inner bolts. My FACTORY REAR bumper had these dimples present but undrilled, the bolt holes where located closer together and drilled through the bumper itself.

My replacement bumper is a stock painted bumper off of a 1965 - I welded the holes in the dimples up, dressed the welds and re-drilled the holes in the proper location to bolt up to my panel. After a repaint, no one is the wiser. Keep in mind that I have painted bumpers, if your looking for chrome you would be better off looking for an original rear in good shape.

Good Luck,
Pete

[psycotruckr]

Thanks for the info and special permission to look also. I am real interested in maybe going with 2 new front painted ones as discribed in the last reply. I might go as far as having them plated but I'll put them on the truck first and see. This truck was a basket case when I pulled it in my shop 4 years ago and I am coming to the home stretch. It was a daily driver before and will be again this summer with a little luck. Thanks again! This is a great site too!

[psycotruckr]

sorry did it twice

[65sublime]

Has anyone looked at welding tabs on the rear frame to accept a front bumper? The only down side is if the bumper has holes to mount a license plate, not necessary with a panel or 'burb. While at a show I had asked Bumper Boys about replating a stock rear bumper and they gave me a price of $650, a little pricey.

[psycotruckr]

Yeah $650 sobers me right up too I bet it would be pretty though, I will try the lighter tone of purple that I plan to use on the roof. Should look good.

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

I got one from them a few years ago .........................I think I gave $150.00 plus my bumper back then.............................It is pretty but not worth what they're asking now.............$650.00 is a hard pill to swallow................Hemmit

[Captainfab]

WOW $650......I would seriously consider powder coating in a metalic silver or 'chrome and clear' before I'd pay that much for chrome plating.

[Dzlhead]

How soon do you need it? I'm in Milwaukee,Wi and I have found a '64-'66 panel about 45 min north of me that I plan on buying the driver's side seat out of. I don't remeber the shape the bumpers were in or if it even had bumpers on it for that matter. I know it was a one ton, 6 cyl. Not sure on Manual or Auto. I was planning on going up there when the weather breaks in a few weeks. If you can wait I could take pics of the whole thing and post them. Maybe others would want some things. I could take cell phone pics and text them to you and you could decide if you want me to pull them right then and there. Would this work? Hope to help. Cable

[psycotruckr]

I don't have to have them till june or so. I am not pressed for time. I would love to see pics and see what is available. I have not seen another Panel in any condition since I bought my rust bucket. I see pic once in a while but not first hand. I pulled up a site that said in 1966 they made less than one thousand panels and over 171,000 pick ups, not sure how accurate it was but the survival rate of Panels means that there most be very few left to drive.

[wild one]

Originally Posted by psycotruckr

I pulled up a site that said in 1966 they made less than one thousand panels and over 171,000 pick ups, not sure how accurate it was but the survival rate of Panels means that there must be very few left to drive.

Wow, well I guess that makes mine one of the few panels made in 1966 left on the road

[padresag]

then I guess that my 64 4 x4 panel is even rarer then?
ron

[jonzcustomshop]

3 years ago, we had 2 yards 30 miles apart with a combined total of 120 trucks, out of all that there were 3 panels and one suburban...unfortunately the panels got crushed...
in town there about 50 or so 60-66 trucks floating around... 2 suburbans , no panels...
on the montana craigslist over the last year, I think there have been 2 suburbans available... one a rough k10, for $200, and the other a 2wd for 3k.
so in general I think they are just rare

[Slow Build]

I've been pulling some parts from what I think is a 66 Panel 1 ton (8 lug). I saw the rear (non-chrome) bumper and thought it was a front bumper.

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

The book I have on production numbers has 8,344 panels built in 1966. These were all 1/2 tons(C1405). There were 3,560 1 ton panels built(C3605). The 1 tons were a longer wheel base than the 1/2 tons.................Also in 1966 there were 170 4x4 panels(K1405) built which does make them pretty rare. Just thought I'd share.................Hemmit

[Dzlhead]

physotruckr,I'll gladly take some pics. The panel is sitting in a the back of a farm impliment repair shop and the shop owner's brother owns the panel so I have to touch base with him come spring. I don't know how much of it he wants to part out. The hood is junk and I assume most of the front sheetmetal as well. The doors looked ok and the rear doors are gone. The engine is still in it. If I recall the dash looked in tact also. I'll keep you all posted. I can't promise much with the Wisconsin winter road salt. My '66 panel came from my Grandpa when I was 7yrs old (I'm 33 now) and I have yet to put it all together, but some day.... soon. He bought it new so I know all about it.

[Fursphere]

If you're still looking for one, I've actually got a stock '66 Panel bumper. It is bent (one side is pulled up a little). Its painted white.

I've converted my 2wd panel to 4wd and I'm *probably* going with a custom heavy duty bumper. I'll know more in about a month I guess. (I might end up using it - just not sure at this point. the body is still off the frame, I'm hoping to get it back on in June)

[Dzlhead]

Here is what I found, hope it's not to late for ya. The Pass. side looks to be bent up, but it appears soild overall. When I stopped there I didn't even tell the owner I was going back there so I was extremely rushed. I have no idea on the price of the bumper or if it's even for sale, but that's only a phone call away. I have to call him anyway to arrange for me to get the driver's seat. Let me know.

[Choptop32]

Wow... I guess I should cherish my 66 panel rear bumper... its pristine. I'm going to have it chromed here pretty soon.

[psycotruckr]

I appreciate all the help guys! I thought it was just me finding them hard to come by. I found a guy that thinks he can make them like new but probably not platable. Times are tough all over and here is no difference. Currently trying to assemble all the pieces so I can drive it. It will not be prestine or all I want but it all comes with time at least I don't have to sell it. I will post pics when the paint goes on in the next few weeks

[TopFuel1966]

WOW!! $650.00 for bumper plating? I just paid $250.00 to have mine repaired and plated. I'd shop around a little more if I were you.