front bumper question

[gmclowsierra]

I have a 78 suburban. will the front bumper off of an 81-87 truck fit? thanks

[aggie91]

Yes and No. The front frame horns are different, but you can get the 4 brackets for the front bumper for the 81-87 and make it work. The front horns may need to be cut off to make it work.


Hope this helps, I can get some pics once I get back to my shop later...

[Front Range]

Over time the top edge of the later year bumper dug into my early year fenders. There is a small gap that looks ok - until the body flexes. I never modified the bumper tips though.

[aggie91]

Here are the pictures.

81-87 Front Frame Horn:


81-87 Front Bumper Brackets:


73-80 Front Frame Horn:



The oblong hole in the side of the frame rail in front of the core support mount is in the same location on both year models. Remove the bracket on top of the 73-80 front frame horn. Use the oblong hole to line up the frame bracket for the later model front bumper.
The outer brackets bolt to holes behind the core support mounts. I am not sure if they are in the same locations, but should be easy to drill if needed.