60-66 o.e. step bumper

[jonzcustomshop]

was thinking about how gm carried over the 55-59 bumper for the 60-66 steps, and how it doesn't really look correct.

I had a couple ideas:
a fleet step bumper with the ends trimmed off and replaced with the ends from a front bumper to wrap around like the 55-59 does.

or (this is almost the same) a front bumper narrowed and a fleet l.p. dip/step grafted in.. or maybe even the step from the 55-59 grafted on... this would be a little less flat than the first idea...

anyone want to whip up a couple so I can see what it would look like???

a pic of the originals...

[TJ's Chevy]

Hey man with your fabbing skills I think your the perfect man for it!

[jonzcustomshop]

I just need some to cut up!

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

was thinking about how gm carried over the 55-59 bumper for the 60-66 steps, and how it doesn't really look correct.

You are so right on. helluva idea. I never could figure how step sides didn't change for so long and how unfinished they look. You know, ..antiquated. Just my humble opinion guys.

[TJ's Chevy]

Well you can go and buy a front bumper and a rear oem fleetside bumper and you will have a start.

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by oem4me

You are so right on. helluva idea. I never could figure how step sides didn't change for so long and how unfinished they look. You know, ..antiquated. Just my humble opinion guys.

another thing that might be neat, (dino did this on his dually) is to use 60-66 long fleet wheel well lips on the step fenders...

I am real curious, and would love to see some gm clay mockups of the design of the 60-66.... I wonder if they had some ideas for new step fenders, and then scrapped them to save costs, or they just thought the 55-59 looked close enough that they didn't need a redesign....?

[ChiefRocka]

I wonder if a shortened panel/burban bumper would work with out a dip for plate ?

Or maybe just not as deep ?

From the looks of the red one above, might not need much ....

[markeb01]

I like the idea of a narrowed front bumper on the rear, with the dip from a rear fleet bumper. I’ve thought about that design for my own truck, but without welding skills or experience that’s as far it is gets.

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

I wonder if they had some ideas for new step fenders, and then scrapped them to save costs, or they just thought the 55-59 looked close enough that they didn't need a redesign....?

According to a GM history article I ran across a while back, management didn’t even consider changing the rear fenders for the 1967 series trucks. A design engineer took it upon himself to create clay models of the 67 fender design (at great risk to his employment). As the story goes management was so impressed they ordered them into production. Prior to that the fender budget had been set at zero.

BTW those 56 Chevy wheel covers look great with those whitewalls!