Help with 1972 k20 bumper bracket delema

[nitrosport_5]

Ive got a 1972 Chevy k20 longbed fleetside and im curious what bumper brackets are correct for what i need. i purchased these brackets (pictured) from a member here and was told they are correct for my truck. i never had a stock bumper on it so i had no idea what brackets i needed.

once i got them the holes on the frame didnt line up. the furthest rear hole would catch the bracket but thats it. after lookng at the truckandcarshop catalogue, it showed that the style of brackets i purchased were for a 2wd truck and that there was a set with further spaced bolt holes meant for a 4wd so i went ahead and purchased an aftermarket set of those brsckets. my frame holes line up just perfectly but the bumper fits like crap! its just a straight bracket with holes so i cant see how the aftermarket could screw them up THAT bad. it looks like if i used the first brackets i have it would alow the bumper to follow the contour of the body better but indont have a second hole for them.

here is a link to the page with the brackets http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks60_72/t60_013.html

so what style of bracket is correct? if the set i attached a picture of is correct why would my frame be drilled for the other style? its the original frame with number matching my cab that is all originally a 3/4t chevrolet 4x4. thanks

[gable74]

Here is my 72 K20 with what I can only imagine are NOT the original bumper brackets.

[gable74]

I bought a new diamond plate bumper that came with the following bumper brackets for install. I am anticipating having to do a little welding but hoping I don't.

[nitrosport_5]

thanks for the reply, yours looks like it is a step style bumper. im trying to get one of the sport style chrome bumpers installed. i had a step bumper originally but it didnt fit with the way my restoration was heading. my exhaust guy told me to pie cut the brackets to make the bumper fit correctly, but i dont know why it should need to be done with a stock frame, stock bed, stock style bumper ect. i just seem to have the wrong brackets

[gable74]

Here is my bumper.

[nitrosport_5]

Originally Posted by gable74

Here is my bumper.

thats quite different than the one im trying to install. ive got a factory chrome bumper. i found a pic on google of the style im trying to put on.


anybody else have any ideas to what brackets i need to be using?

[Tdrcreyn4]

I have a 1969 K20 that I put the sport bumper on like you are trying to do. I ordered the inner and outer brackets from LMC along with the splash guards. It was listed in the catalog as 4x4 short bed brackets and I have a long bed but they worked just fine and used the factory holes. Each side has two pieces and they bolt together.

[jerry moss]

real 4x4 rear inner brackets are longer than the ones pictured and have a thick piece of metal welded inside for support. do a search on here, a member was recently selling a set of "real" 4x4 inners. the outers are the same.

[nitrosport_5]

Originally Posted by jerry moss

real 4x4 rear inner brackets are longer than the ones pictured and have a thick piece of metal welded inside for support. do a search on here, a member was recently selling a set of "real" 4x4 inners. the outers are the same.

well, thats what ive got, although aftermarket. so i have the correct mounts on it, they just fit like crap. the bumper should follow the contour of the body more from the side correct?

[davischevy]

Did you try switching the brackets side to side, IE, flip them over?


Larry

[nitrosport_5]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Did you try switching the brackets side to side, IE, flip them over?


Larry

hmmm, i dont know if i tried that or not. ill have to see if its possible.

[midniteblues]

I do believe they can only fit the side they are designed too fit on.
the bump out part is a relief for the rear sill bed bolt since it drops down so close too the inner frame rail.

I know this pic wont be much help since these are on my 2wd 67 but it might tell ya if they sent you 2wd coil spring brackets. These are right about 15 1/4" long and practically 5" on center between the frame bolts.
You can see just after the first bolt there is a extra hole on these rite about 13 1/2".

Hope i helped ya some how here.

[davischevy]

Here's a picture of mine. Looks the same as yours. Your right side outer brace appears to be correct.

[davischevy]

After studying your 3rd pic, your inner braces are turned correctly. They can't go the other way, they will hit a bed mounting bolt.

Larry

[davischevy]

I just looked at two more trucks here and they are just like yours. You could use tapered shims to get more "angle" on it.

[nitrosport_5]

thanks Larry for taking the time to look into this!

i guess i wont let it bother me as much knowing it isnt too far off. i had to add about 1/4" of shims on the driver side to keep the bumper in line. i will try and play with it a little bit more if i have some time, otherwise i may just leave it for a while. im getting too picky, i sit and look at the truck and pick apart stupid little issues thst bug me, but nobody will ever notice!