Front bumper - which is correct?

[Joyridin]

I bought a new bumper for my truck from Goodmark. After opening it, I noticed it was different than the one on the truck, which I have no idea if it is original.

The one I bought has indents around the 4 bolts in the center that hold the bumper to the frame. The outer 2 holes do not have the indents.

The bumper on the truck does not have the indents. It is basically flat across the whole bumper.

Most of the ones I see online have the indents. Are the indents correct for a 1968?

[truckster]

Mine is a 72, but it doesn't have the indents. I've owned a 68, and I don't remember it having the indents.

[Stocker]

Several years ago I bought a chrome repop for my '72, and I still have the original painted bumper. Neither one has the indents. Not sure about a '68.

[Joyridin]

I looked at GMCPauls website. His bumpers are showing the indents and he claims they are identical to original, but I believe they are the same brand as mine.

I called my buddy that has a 68. He said no indents on his, but like mine, he has no idea if it is original.

[LS short box]

Just a note on installing bumpers like that. If you just bolt up the bumper to the bumper bracket and as you tighten the bolt it may tend pull in the bumper around the bolt. I always add a washer to the back side of the bumper hole and in front of the bumper bracket that keeps the the bumper bolt from pulling into the bumper bracket.

[58 Special]

Also caution not to overtighten as can and will crack the chrome.

[GMCPaul]

GM also placed a washer on the back side of the bumper hole and in front of the bumper bracket when assembling these trucks.
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by GMCPaul

GM also placed a washer on the back side of the bumper hole and in front of the bumper bracket when assembling these trucks.
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

Ok, but is this bumper correct with the indents? I see these are the ones you sell, but it looks like the original bumper was flat without the indents.

Maybe those indents are there to alleviate the need for the washer? They are about the thickness of the washer and would probably stop the bumper from pulling in if you fail to use the washer.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

My original 71 bumper, and the original replacement that's on there now have those indents. While I won't swear to it, the bolts differ for them, as shown. I'm almost positive my 72 bumper had the indents as well.

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

My original 71 bumper, and the original replacement that's on there now have those indents. While I won't swear to it, the bolts differ for them, as shown. I believe my 72 bumper had the indents as well.

Interesting. I saw a 71 SWB last night at a cruise-in. He said the bumper was 100% original and it did not have the indents. I also saw a 71 GMC, and while the whole bumper was different, it did have some type of indents, although not very deep.

Goodmark says they used an original bumper as the master, but about every aftermarket company has their bumpers made at the same place.

[mike16]

My 72 has original painted front bumper. No indents

[howzzzit]

My 72 original chrome bumpers no indents. Never knew the indented ones existed. I'd still put a washer behind them. Metal probably thinner.

[Chevyland]

I've had a lot of trucks
Not one,either original or repop
Ever had indents

[Joyridin]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

I've had a lot of trucks
Not one,either original or repop
Ever had indents

I can't find a re-pop without them now. Every one of them shows the indents.

My original is twisted which was the reason for replacement. I will have to figure something else out. Just my opinion, but the indents look bad.

[howzzzit]

Originally Posted by Joyridin

I can't find a re-pop without them now. Every one of them shows the indents.

My original is twisted which was the reason for replacement. I will have to figure something else out. Just my opinion, but the indents look bad.

Looks like there are bumpers by Dynacorn on Ebay with regular holes. Well the picture anyway. Might contact the sellers if you're interested. Also, mine was also slightly twisted and a dent from a road sign that jumped in front of my truck. Accidents happen. Anyway I had it rechromed and straightened. That was years ago and now nobody wants to do bumpers in Kalifornia. One shop in Fresno wants 1200.00 per bumper!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Joyridin

Interesting. I saw a 71 SWB last night at a cruise-in. He said the bumper was 100% original and it did not have the indents. I also saw a 71 GMC, and while the whole bumper was different, it did have some type of indents, although not very deep.

Goodmark says they used an original bumper as the master, but about every aftermarket company has their bumpers made at the same place.

Yeah chevy guys say a lot sometimes, you know, like "70-72 had a SBC 400" (cough). I wonder if it's a case pre-71 front chrome bumpers weren't recessed. I suppose if that's the case, it's possible a 70 bumper was thrown on a 71 because factories were using up stock. Somehow I doubt it considering the 71-72 took park lights, for 71-72 chrome bumpers anyway.....but, anything is possible.

You have to be careful with Good Mark's, what is it, "A" version? They're supposed to be the best ones. I bought one, a rear chrome sport. Really pretty, nice, except the part number was stamped on the lower exterior, WTH? As replacement bumpers go front and back, my experience has been they're stamped with a part ID, original bumpers are not. Speaking for 71-72 at least.

FWW, page 1010 of the assembly manual shows the 71-72 bumper, and the image demonstrates circles for the four interior bolts. The circles appear to be their version of recessed☺. The outer two holes are flat and square. They even threw in an extra square hole☺

Perhaps that doesn't rule out flat holes for a 71-72 chrome or even painted bumpers, but it does confirm recessed holes, IMO. On topic, here's a "special washer".

[mr48chev]

Wes at Classic Heartbeat shows the 67/70 with indents https://www.classicheartbeat.com/pro...bumper-chrome/

Wes is seriously picky about what he sells being right.

His 71/72 Front bumpers also have the indents
https://www.classicheartbeat.com/pro...bumper-chrome/

It may be what factory the original bumpers were stamped in as far as indents go. I don't know how many bumper suppliers there were for 67/72.

[Joyridin]

Thanks for the info.

From what I gather, GM superceded the part number for the bumpers at some point in time. When they did that, they recesses were added. I have not found a factory bumper from the 67-70 with the recesses. I have seen the 71-72 with recesses and the 69-72 GMC with recesses. The superceded part number was probably the version Key Parts used to make their bumper.

I did find a flat one from Golden Star Auto. They do not use the same stamping as Key Parts (who owns Goodmark BTW) which is what everybody seems to be using these days. GSA used their own master to stamp the bumper. He said they pulled it right from a truck when the die was made. We will see when it arrives.

I am guessing it is like the tailgates. 67 and 68 are different, but GM superceded the numbers when the 69-72 tailgate appeared, so the 67 and 68 got lost in history.

[Jason Banks]

I just looked at the original chrome bumper off my 67 and the lower holes have indents. I also looked at the original painted bumper off a 1968 and the lower holes have indents.

It's possible the 1968 bumper was not original. But I have no good reason to think the 67 chrome bumper had ever been off the truck. It's also listed on the SPID as an option. Of course over 50+ years it could have had the bumper replaced, but the condition of the chrome and the bolts make me think it has never been off the truck.

[Joyridin]

Another bumper with the huge indents from Golden State. Time to find a used one and have it chromed.

I am guessing everybody buys the same metal stamped bumper and just puts their name on it.

I was at a huge car show Thursday. There were 19 67-72 C10's and a Suburban. None had the indents.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

[quote=howzzzit;9397258]Looks like there are bumpers by Dynacorn on Ebay with regular holes. Well the picture anyway. Might contact the sellers if you're interested. Also, mine was also slightly twisted and a dent from a road sign that jumped in front of my truck. Accidents happen. Anyway I had it rechromed and straightened. That was years ago and now nobody wants to do bumpers in Kalifornia. One shop in Fresno wants 1200.00 per

edited: Last I knew a reputable place in Utah does them, easily 1200 each. Thats a clue, run from Fresno.