hi everyone, i've been a lurker here for a while reading all the good information, after doing some research and not finding definitive answers i feel it's time to ask :) does anyone know or have proof or evidence that the 1 Ton pickup truck for AD years 1947-53 ever had a factory rear bumper? what i have so far: 1 - i cannot find any documentation that lists RPOs for a rear bumper on anything larger than a 3/4 Ton truck 2 - the Chevrolet 1948-50 truck specifications for overall vehicle dimensions has diagrams of the 1 Ton without a rear bumper unlike the 1/2 and 3/4 ton (attached excerpt) 3 - there is no part number in the bumper specifications table for a 1 Ton rear (3804 rear) (attached excerpt) 4 - the 1 ton front bumper is thicker than the 1/2 and 3/4 tons, it's spec.'d at 0.231-0.245 inches spring steel. This thicker spec. implies that if there is a unicorn original rear it too should be the thicker style to match. 5 - in all the used vehicles i've examined in wrecking yards over the years i haven't come across evidence of a rear bumper on the 1 ton.
i'm starting to think maybe it never had a rear bumper... but i like the look of having a rear bumper so i guess it won't be original if i put one on there. looking forward to the discussion thanks -s
I have a 1950 1 ton 3804 model, and it never had a rear bumper on it. Not sure of the reason, but it seems like you would want one there in case of a rear end collision. I hope some other 1 ton owners can shed some light on this.
In my collection of bumpers.. There’s one that easily weighs 50% more than any other one that I have. No idea if it’s a fluke, a one ton or if it’s off something else? I’ll have to compare the thickness with some calipers but it’s thick. Hopefully it’s for a one ton and I’ll use it on that. Otherwise I’ll probably still use it on my tonner.
Looking more closely at your attachment I’d say the pickups didn’t get a rear bumper. The part number listed is for a 3805 (1 ton panel) or a 3807 (1 ton canopy express). My thought is those would be what you’ll want to add to the pickup but the brackets will be the hard part- making sure the bumper sits at the proper height as our 1ton trucks sit taller.
According to the Chevrolet Truck Data Book (that was given to the dealers/salesmen), only the front bumper was standard equipment. But I can't find the rear bumper in the section for "Optional Equipment" although the section is prefaced with the statement that "the following pages cover the more frequently used special truck options."
I'm wondering if the rear bumper was a dealer-add on of a factory part, not a true after market accessory... All of the true 3804 rear bumpers I've seen (including my own) are the heavier/thicker ones. When you are going through the bumper collection at the swap meet, look for the one that looks just like the others, but it is waaaaaaay heavier and noticeably thicker -- enough to make you notice once you start looking for the the thicker ones. That one is the 1-ton bumper
Cosmo helped me find mine and in the process, we learned the 1/2-ton and the 3/4 ton bumpers don't quite line up correctly (but they will if you mismatch the brackets). Which is another thing as 4spdwgn says -- finding the correct brackets will be as challenging as finding the correct heavier bumper. The 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton brackets won't line up correctly. You can get them to work, but they won't be mounted correctly and the bumper will be slightly offset to one side -- which will probably be noticeable to the person behind you at the stop light.
Perhaps someone like Tim has more definitive literature that can shed some light on this.
In my own case, I think the truck looks better with a rear bumper. And I'm glad I found mine.
~ John
"We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"
1948 International Farmall Super A 1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
"I'm wondering if the rear bumper was a dealer-add on of a factory part, not a true after market accessory..."
That is my understanding, John (for a 1 ton pickup, but not a factory part)
A Barden Bumper was a substantial and common add-on rear bumper (that often tore up rear fenders). A deal might install them, but, truck owners or truck repair shops might also have installed them.
right, the rear bumper was an add on option for 1/2 and 3/4 ton, and that bumper is 0.14 inches thick, part number 3684823. but the question is about documentation and part numbers for the 1 ton rear bumper
if there truly was there a factory / dealer rear bumper for a 1 ton pickup that is the correct 0.24 inches thick, what is that part number, and are there any documents with details about it's installation.
That Barden would be something else on a 9’ / one ton. The sides stretching long enough to reach the fenders would be pretty long. Good “work” bumper but now I’m excited about the genuine (I believe) 1 ton chrome blade bumper for the back of it. If need be I’ll either make or modify brackets to fit it. Reminds me to go out there and compare thicknesses.
right, the rear bumper was an add on option for 1/2 and 3/4 ton , and that bumper is 0.14 inches thick, part number 3684823. but the question is about documentation and part numbers for the 1 ton rear bumper
if there truly was there a factory / dealer rear bumper for a 1 ton pickup that is the correct 0.24 inches thick, what is that part number, and are there any documents with details about it's installation.
almost (not quite) right: 1/2 & 3/4 ton pickups (47-55st) came with front & rear bumpers. [wrong: rear bumpers were RPO] 1 ton pickups did not come with a rear bumper. 1 ton panel-body trucks came with front & rear bumpers.
To my memory pick up's never had a "standard equpt". rear bumper. Most owners used a aftermarket rear step bumper. They usually had a Class 1 ball hitch
The Surburban and panel all had rear bumpers as std. equpt. This was a "factory option" on pickups. They could be had in white paint or plated. They were a close match to the front bumper.
A one ton panel (the 9 footer) would have had the matching heaver rear bumper. But only painted. This is what you probably want.
At least old bumpers were functional, not cosmetic like today.
Probably the wrong spot but.. as long as we’re talking bumpers and such– I have a 1/2 ton panel truck and the 1 ton pickup. The panel has a valance behind the front bumper. Should my 1 ton truck have a valance between the front bumper and the other front sheet metal? Thanks Greg
thank you Tim for the link to that comprehensive parts list, going through it i still can't find a 1 Ton pick up rear bumper listed in it, unless i'm not reading it correctly. perhaps the thicker 1 Ton rear bumper that some folks are suggesting exists was after market made to look stock?
It is possible to install a front bumper on the rear, might have to flex or massage the bumper or brackets.. or use panel truck brackets which used a front bumper. Those who have have seen 1/4" rear bumper might have seen one of these situations. Otherwise you could use 3/4 ton brackets and 1/2 or 3/4 ton rear bumper (straighter than the front).
1 ton rear bumper might not have been factory, but also not impossible or unheard of.
You could install a "USS Missouri" style bumper that wraps around to the rear fenders like what was on my truck when I first got it. It suffered some damage, so it's now scrap metal. I don't really like the style either.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Thats the barden bumper tclederman mentioned earlier
I did see that after I posted. This one was definitely home built - HEAVY - thus the reference to USS Missouri
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Compare length along the surface and hole locations to your front bumper. Is it possibly the same bumper with the arch removed? Or same arch, same bumper?
Here's a few shots that might be of interest. The bumper shown is the thicker 1-ton rear bumper mounted on my '49 3804. Thanks to Grigg, Cosmo and others, I eventually rounded up the correct brackets and bumper. It's even chromed Who knows if it came that way originally ...
~ John
"We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"
1948 International Farmall Super A 1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Compare length along the surface and hole locations to your front bumper. Is it possibly the same bumper with the arch removed? Or same arch, same bumper?
It is flatter than a front bumper.
It matches the contour & specs of the pickup rear bumper but, it is thicker as described earlier.
I layed a front bumper on the ground under it to show the difference in curvature.
No way is it a flattened front bumper as it is nearly 1/4" thick spring steel. Would would need a hell of a press & die to do that without kinking it.
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You can tell by the curvature of the bumper John has pictured on the rear of his truck... is in fact a front bumper. { That's why he had such a hard time trying to getting it to fit the rear bumper brackets }.
Who knows if it came that way originally ...