The Great Bumper Debate

[C15_Sierra]

As my truck nears road-worthiness, it's time to start thinking of bumpers, front and rear.

In the front, I want to replace my 1980 painted bumper with a chrome one. There aren't any straight '73-'80 chrome bumpers at the local yards, and one bumper that's particularly caught my eye is on an '87 GMC Sierra Classic 3/4 ton, with front bumper overriders (push bars). Question is, if I grab all the necessary brackets, etc, will it fit my '80?

In the rear, there are a couple contenders. While I'd like to do a roll pan, I'm not ruling out the possibility of another cool bumper. I'm not gonna hold my breath for a 73-80 sport bumper, but will a sport bumper from, say, an '89 K5 Blazer fit if I pull all brackets, etc? There are also a couple bumpers on some later G-vans that look like they may be able to fit.

I'm asking about these just so I know whether or not I'm wasting my time. If few people have done such retrofits, I may take a leap and go with it once the truck is driving...my DD doesn't have such capacity to pick up truck bumpers

[bigblock73]

Van bumpers and brackets are different than the trucks, burbs and blazers...so they won't work.

To put an 81-87 FRONT bumper on a 73-80 truck/burb/blazer, you will need to cut the frame to make it fit.

Rear will bolt up if matching brackets are used, but keep in mind, the trucks require "truck" inner brackets, the outers are the same...but everything is still 73-80 or 81-87 (91).

clean 73-80 bumpers aren't that hard to find, you just have to keep your eyes peeled.

I personally think mis-matched bumpers look terrible...just my opinion.

[C15_Sierra]

Yup, I'm definitely keeping my eyes peeled...a lot of 73-80s are long gone up here though. Thanks for the info!

[bigblock73]

They are gone up here too...but I still find em. Craigslist, eBay, junkyards, here...lots of options.

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

I personally think mis-matched bumpers look terrible...just my opinion.

I agree 1,000%!! mix matching round eye and non roundeye trucks look awefull IMHO.