The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Ignorant AD Bumper Question

I've got a question for the historians in the bunch. I would like to know about the bumpers on AD trucks. I recall seeing, on a number of occasions, two different types of front bumpers (I vaguely think they were on GMCs, but I don't really remember for sure). Of course, there is the simple bumper, like is found on Mike Cavey's truck featured on the cover of Tom Brownell's first edition of "How to Restore Your Chevrolet Pickup" (1991).

The second style, which I thought was pretty common until I started combing the gallery looking for a visual aid, appears to be a heavier duty bumper that was manufactured in a press. That is, it there is a design that looks a little bit like a boxy "belt-line" that was stamped into the bumper, centered horizontally that runs the full width of the bumper.

1. Does anybody else know what I am talking about?

2. If so, what is the history? Were they factory/dealer options? Were they aftermarket products? Did they only get fitted to the heavier trucks?

3. Now, here is a real geek question: Does anybody know how exactly they were manufactured? (As in, do you know if they were stamped and if so, the tonnage of the press? We had a 1947, 280 ton [I think] press brake in our mfg plant, and there is NO WAY it could have stamped those bumpers, so I'm also interested in the heavy machinery used to make the bumpers.

Kimberly, I have the HEAVY, belted bumper on my 1 ton panel. A friend who is an old time rodder/mechanic told me that it probably came from a 1.5 or 2 ton originally. I have wondered about the press too. My brother has a 500T press and the shape of the bumper would be a challenge even with progressive dies. I have pictures in some of my old smithing books showing a HUGE steam forging hammer. Maybe they used something like that.

As far as Chevy goes, the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton models originally came with the chrome plated ('47-51) or painted (52,53) spring steel bumper. The heavier trucks, 1-1/2 ton and up, had the heavy bumper you are talking about, painted argent silver. I don't know about GMC.

Kimberly.

In 1954, a front bumper was standard equipment on just about all truck models (except for chassis-only models) . A simple, smooth curved bumper was on trucks up to 3800 (1-ton) and a belted bumper was on larger trucks.

Smooth-style rear bumpers were an available option up through 3800 (1 ton trucks). I do not think there were any factory options for rear bumpers for trucks larger than 1-ton.

Front and rear smooth style bumpers were standard on all models of Suburban, Panel, and Canopy Express.

It looks like the different sized trucks had different-sized bumpers (and/or different bumper brackets).

Tim

I wonder if the bumpers were rolled instead of pressed. Concave rolling dies as they gave the bumper their rounded surface, would also curve the bumper at the same time. Just a thought. If they were pressed, They would be done in steps a few inches at a time I would think. Good question.
Ralph

Kimberly,
that is a very interesting question. One of the intersting resources around is called "the American Automobile Factory". It is a large beautiful book with many photos of the old factories.

The AD bumpers for the 1/2 and 3/4 Tonners looked the same. The 1 Ton had the same shape but they were heavier. Somewhere around 1 1/2 T or 2 Ton they went with the larger one with the ridges.

Some time ago I was reading in a Hotrod magazine about a plant that produces new 1932 FOrd fenders. It mentioned that the press that they were using was used to make parts for the Tucker car!

Great information guys - Thank you! I know if we made those heavy bumpers in a modern plant they would probably be rolled - I don't know why, but it didn't even occur to me they might have used that process way back then (I'm too CNC minded, I guess!)

I'd love to check out the book, trucker!

The '47 & '48, GMC 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton,& 1 ton, front bumpers looked like this, http://community.webshots.com/photo/261298995/261395879JDFozu . The '49-'54 GMC 1/2, 3/4, & 1 ton front bumpers, were the same as the '47-'54 Chevrolet 1/2, 3/4, & 1 ton bumpers. The '47-'54 1 1/2 ton, & 2 ton Chevrolet Commercial bumpers were channel type, with the raised beltline you speak of. The '47-'54 GMC 1 1/2 ton, & up Commercial Bumpers were the channel type, but without the raised beltline. Some Canadian built, "AD" GMC Commercial trucks, were outfitted with the, Chevrolet Commercial Bumper.

Here's another view of the Gmc bumper. Too bad they did not continue this style on all of the AD trucks.
......g
Nice early 47/48 GMC farm truck

I agree with ya on that GMONIZ. I like that '47-'48 GMC bumper myself. I've had a couple of trucks in the past, that had it on them, & it seemed heavier duty than the '49-'54 GMC, & Chevrolet bumper. Have you ever seen the Special bumper guards, or Grille Guard, for this more car-like bumper.

I think the 1-tons had a heavier bumper. Both of my 1-ton panels have a bumper that is the same style as the regular AD bumper, but is thicker than the one on my 3/4-ton parts pickup.

Too bad the medium-duty Chevy bumper doesn't look like it will interchange with the GMC. I'd move the 4400's over to the 350. That 350 bumper looks like it's about twice as thick as the Chevy version, though. GMC engineering strikes again...