The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Front bumper on a 51 3100 AD Truck

Ok...Here's one for you, I was going to run my 51 without a front bumper BUT...With all the fine drivers we have here in Vegas Ive decided to reinstall my bumper.
So I reinstalled the bumper but I don't really like how it set's so far away from the truck so I decided to move it back 3 " closer, all I have to do is drill 2 more holes in the frame to do so.
The sides of the bumper set about a 1 " from the fenders on each side and about 3/4 " from the grill and it looks a whole lot better !
Here's the question... Has anyone ever done this before ? and why do you think it set so far away from the truck (about 4" from the grill" ???

Also does anyone have a measurement from the bottom of the bumper to the pavement ?

Todd

Todd,

I just measured my original bumper clearance. From the floor to the bottom of my bumper is 13 and 1/4 inch. Also from the ground to the center of the bolts is 16 inches. I have a conceal panel between the bumber and the grill. (Do you want a photo?) I believe the reason was an early form of crumple zone. The impact would bend the bumper before the body or grill took damage.

Hope this helps.

Mitch

Hi Todd, that looks good. Thats the first time ive seen someone move it back like that.
The only drawback i can see is........if you bump something,the corners of your bumper are gonna go into your fenders.And,,depending on how you bump something,it might travel back the short distance to your grille.
SO,,,,,,,,,,,,,dont run into anything,and youll be lookin good!!!!!
Truck-On,,Amigo,

i agree with mitch on this one i was set that far out so in the occurance of an accident it would have crumple space before damaging your grill and or fenders but with just about everything else on the road now days being made of plastic you ought to be ok but i don't want to curse so i just going to be safe anyhow.

I think these were a real 5 mph bumper, not the plastic covered stamping that we pay so dearly for today! The bumper supports have a certain amount of spring to them and they would indeed take a certain amount of force and recover. On the GMC trucks, the filler pan is shaped around the grill vertical bars so the the bumper can move without causing further damage.

Great project Todd. Looks like the helpers are having fun. I noticed this in a magazine recently. Has anyone bought one of these?

http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/browse.lasso?&search=briz5rib-c&dept=truck

Chevs of the 40's sells the cool "Brizz" bumper that's a real body hugger.

http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/browse.lasso?&dept=Truck&cat=230T&skip=0

Curt and Drew,
I don't think Todd has logged in yet but I'll be willing to bet that is right up his alley. How cool is that bumper?

Cool look for sure. However I don't know, it looks a bit fancy unless the truck has been customized a lot. The old expression is "a diamond in a goat's A**. I Think Todd's idea looks good as long as my wife doesn't drive it.

Thanks for the ideas and info ! Man... how sweet is that bumper from Chevs of the 40's !! that is cool!! but $$$$$... I think I'm going to take my chances with moving it back 3" the more I look at the more I like it ! Heck I was going to run it without a bumper so it's better than having nothing and it looks pretty good too

Thanks
Todd

that is a neat look for a custom. only bad part is if somebody barely backs into you or you pull too far farward, you just got a bunch of body work and depending on how low it sets if you hit a pot hole or dip in a parking lot could be bad also

Tangovino i believe you are right about it being the "cruple zone"

It's your truck, do what you like. You should be OK with careful parking and if the truck is mostly for show or cruise-in driving.

However, Mitch & Mike's suggestions will haunt you if someone in a parking lot backs up to touch you and touches the grill and not an extended bumper. Bumpers and even the bumper-to-grill shield are cheap compared to a nice (or even a not so nice) grill.

Tim

I seen some done on '48 to '53 era putting the bumper right under the grill. But remember they do have the splash aprons available now in steel, chrome, maybe SS, and fiberglass.
I haven't checked out his pics yet, PC doesn't always cooperate.

I've been thinking of bringing both my front and rear bumpers in about 2" each, not all the way to the fenders but just enough to clean up the look a little bit. The real reason is that my garage isn't deep enough for me to walk all the way around the truck with the door closed but if I had 4" more clearance I could!