Hey all!! I was wondering who all has built their own rear bumpers or show off some custom bumpers that theyve seen. I bought my 48 3800 with just the frame rails on the back. I have since built my own wooden flatbed for it but trying to figure out what to do about a rear bumper.....Any and all suggestions would be good. Also this would be a good spot to show off your own home made bumpers.
Why is the gas filler sticking through the bed? Where was it originally?
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
I have used a piece of channel iron, either 4" or 6", to make a bumper- - - -make a series of pie wedge shaped cuts in the ends, and use a hydraulic press to make radiused ends. Then weld the cuts back together and use an angle grinder to form the ends into a smooth semi-circle. It's a bit labor-intensive, but the end product looks good, and it's tougher than woodpecker lips. You can make a top plate from 1/8" steel sheet if you want something fancier than a simple piece of channel iron. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Otto: When I got the truck it did not have a fuel tank. I sourced a square poly 22gal tank that I was able to frame in between the joists of the bed. I plan to make a small box for it to cover it up and have a slide out tool box on the other side.
Jerry: I was thinking about doing that as well, got any pictures?
No pics, but I can do a little sketching and attach it to a PM or an email. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
My truck had a home-built bumper similar to what Jerry describes, but the corners were squared instead of rounded. It didn't weather the years well and was scrapped. The channel iron and other parts were repurposed. Here's a pic.
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.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Diamond plate is a good idea for the top, but aluminum is a little difficult to weld to a steel channel. Diamond plate is available in steel also HERE.
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.
Riv-nuts and stainless steel flathead screws. We don't want him to have to add overload springs to keep that new bumper from dragging the ground! Polished aluminum adds a bit of bling, also. LOL! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Diamond plate is a good idea for the top, but aluminum is a little difficult to weld to a steel channel.[/ url]
You could drill and tap the steel channel iron and countersink SS flathead screws to attach the aluminum diamond plate.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Found this bumper in a wrecking yard many years ago. It's off the rig right now, cut that protruding (and bent) hitch plate off & welded in a 2" receiver. Is being painted, will post updated pic when I get it back on. It will be driving season here before too long! (Says the man looking out at snow flurries)
Last edited by BC59; 03/27/202411:03 PM.
BC 1960 Chevy C10 driver 261 T5 4.10 dana 44 power loc 1949 GMC 250 project in waiting 1960 C60 pasture art Retired GM dealer tech. 1980 - 2022
