Stepside rear bumper ideas?

[ChevDog1]

My 1980 stepper came with an ugly, giant chrome step bumper that I promptly removed. Also thrown in with the purchase of the truck was a 1973? ElCamino rear bumper with the taillights integrated into it. Since I'm not a big fan of using either of the bumpers I currently have, I'm looking for ideas on what to use back there - if anything.

I would appreciate any opinions, pics, etc. to help me decide. Lots of internet searching, and I'm still unsure of what I want to do. I know that I really like having the original tail lights (or I might switch to the 1973's to go along with my grille), but so far I haven't found any bumper ideas that I like better than having no bumper at all.

[walkerb]

I had a roll pan with brake lights on my 75. I think im going to go back to the original tail lights and just a smooth roll pan with license plate.

[cory d]

narrowed front bumper. i also shaved the holes

[ChevDog1]

I'm kind of digging that narrowed front bumper. May have to shave its height a bit to suit my taste, but I like the idea.

[lilpoindexter]

Some big ol' made in USA bumper made out of 1/4 plate...it looks like it was installed when the truck was new.

[dieseldawg142]

dont have a pic but a few months ago drove by a 76-77 stepper with a 88-98 bumper mounted on it, looked very clean & blended nicely.
i'm sure you would be on your own for brackets

[Keith Seymore]

I would totally use the ElCamino bumper with the integrated lights.

I had always wanted to get rid of the "tacked on" taillights hanging off the side of the box and the ElCamino bumper looked like a good way to do that.

K

[Keith Seymore]

- or - just go with the '81-'87 rear bumper.

It is styled and somewhat "petite"....



- or -

What's wrong with the production styled rear bumper that was available on these trucks?



K

[Keith Seymore]

I would strongly recommend a bumper of some type vs "no bumper". The first time you encounter a texting soccer mom - and you don't have a bumper - you will have a ton of bodywork to do.

With a bumper, you simply tell her to be more careful, hand her all the pieces from the damage to her vehicle, and happily go on your way. Case in point: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...nt#post5398240 (post #630).

K

[TheBlueBomber]

I don't even want to think of my reaction if someone were to do that to one of my trucks. And they aren't even show quality!

[hyatt]

mid 80s ford stepside bumper is a 4 or 5 inch chrome channel Very simple and looks good on anything

[bigwheel15]

I second the el camino rear bumper, seen one on a stepside and it fits well and brings the tail lights together instead of just hanging off the sides.

[ChevDog1]

Looks like I have a couple of votes for the Elco bumper. I'll try to mock it up in place tonight and get a couple of pics. I already have it, so it obviously fits my budget theme well.

[USSkoval]

I've never seen the El Camino bumper on a stepside before, but the vision in my head is pretty cool. Curious to see what it looks like.

[ChevDog1]

I didn't get time to go out to my shop tonight, but will try again tomorrow. After spending some time searching online for photos of bumpers on steppers, I noticed that the only elcamino bumpers I have seen pics for are the 78 and later with the rectangular lights. The bumper I have is the earlier (maybe 77) style, which has four round lights, with one side squared off. I am curious to see what this might look like.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

I didn't get time to go out to my shop tonight, but will try again tomorrow. After spending some time searching online for photos of bumpers on steppers, I noticed that the only elcamino bumpers I have seen pics for are the 78 and later with the rectangular lights. The bumper I have is the earlier (maybe 77) style, which has four round lights, with one side squared off. I am curious to see what this might look like.

Oh.

That's very different.

You are correct; 78 and above has the more rectangular lights and is what I had in mind.

'73 - '77 has the rounded lights and is a more massive bumper. I probably wouldn't purse that one (even though I am a '73-'77 Chevelle fan).

K

[USSkoval]

It can't hurt to mock it up. The rear bumper is the best looking part of a '73-'77 El Camino.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by USSkoval

It can't hurt to mock it up. The rear bumper is the best looking part of a '73-'77 El Camino.

Sad, but true!

[school boy]

look here
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=69219

[TwinTurbo]

A simple roll pan, and do away with the ugly "lights on a stick"

[JustN]

cadillac deville with lights in the bedside be different. if i remember correct the 80s caddies fit between like a roll pan

[Irish1941]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I would totally use the ElCamino bumper with the integrated lights.

I had always wanted to get rid of the "tacked on" taillights hanging off the side of the box and the ElCamino bumper looked like a good way to do that.

K

Ha funny did exactly that but it was off a '84 Malibu wagon. Same same.
Never took a picture of it because everybody was doing it in late '80s but here is one I found on line. It worked and it was cheap. I did cut some out to narrow it up but think you could get away without narrowing it.