The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Is it worth it?

Hi,
My 49'/3100(short-bed) will be going into the body shop early next month. The original grill and both bumpers were painted 35/50 years ago in a dull gry/silver.They have a few dents. Is it worth trying to repair or re-chrome them or just buy Chinese replacements? I also need a new wood bed and some side rails- I've looked at Mar K- how much should I budget for a new wood bed and related parts? Not a show truck just a weekend driver.Thanks,Tom

In my opinion, i would fix your grill/bumper if you plan on painting them. I priced rechroming an original bumper, and it was more than purchasing a repop chrome bumper. But I'm with you, I'm not a fan of Chinese replacements. I'm planning on painting my '54 Grill, and buy a chrome one when I bored with my painted one.

Regarding your bed, I would definately go with mar-k. It's all made the USA. I purchased a new tailgate, bed front, angle strips, cross sills, SS bolts and strips, pine bed. It came in at about $1100. Mar-K normally has a 10% off sale twice a year. The last one was back in April, i believe.

Since you asked my preference I always prefer using the OEM parts when possible, even when it costs a bit more.

I bought my bed wood from a gentleman on eBay (Georgia) I went with Oak it was pre-cut for the strips for $230 + shipping. It turned out really nice. If it is just a driver you need to think about SS verses painted because there is a significant difference in price. Also side boards I have never seen sold as a kit they are usually created by the owner freelance. I did mine for about $150 again in Oak. I bought reproduction bumbers from ClassicParts and have been very happy with them, to rechrome and repair the originals here was $400 each, ouch!
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2458269090102454676XZvhtc
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2073281030102454676iNdGfD

Maybe look into powder coating your grille & bumpers ? - have seen a few at shows that look pretty nice / lots less than re-chroming.

The reproduction parts never fit like the OEM ones. Ask me how I know! Re-chroming is expensive, but worth it. I re-chromed my front bumpers and bought a reproduction rear bumper and you can easily tell the difference in shine and quality. I used Space Coast Plating, very good.

Hi,
I am new to this game. How can I tell if the bumpers,grill,and hood emblem are original? Are there numbers or codes? they look original but I am a novice.
Thanks,
Tom

I've bought my AD bumpers from Bill's Speed Shop in Ohio and I've been pleased. They are MUCH better than what I got from the "others" and the company is ISO certified. I suspect they orinate overseas but are better that the ones you get from "you know who" and Bill's were $146 delivered to my front door.
Some other bolters have bought bumpers since I brought it up and have been pleased with price and quality. Still not original but nice.

I've put new reproduction chrome bumpers on two AD trucks so far, front and rear. The bumpers I got fit just fine. The reproduction brackets are another story and took a LOT of tweaking to get them to fit on both trucks.
The repro’s had stickers that said "triple chrome", which from what I understand is chrome over nickel over copper. I've got no complaints about the chrome plating or the thickness of the material or the shape, or the hole locations all that was just exactly as the original bumpers were. What I have complained about is they failed to do any deburring or rounding over of the edges as was done on the original bumper. Seems like they pulled the blanks out of the (dull) shear, into the forming dies and right into the plating bath with no concern for any sharp/ragged edges. Had they taken a few minutes more to deburr the edges before plating they would have had an exact reproduction of the factory bumpers. I would have gladly paid $10 more to have the edges finished properly.
As far as re-chroming the original bumpers, it wouldn’t surprise me if 80% or 90% of the original bumpers are bent up in some way. Unlike now days, back in the day we weren’t afraid to give someone a push when their car wouldn’t start or they were stuck. Locked bumpers were as common as flat tires and dead batteries. To have a bumper straightened and re-chromed at the two places that I found that still do it, would have run me more than twice what the repops cost.
Here’s an example of what I’m whining about on the bumpers: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/129919627
Original bumper brackets have a well rounded edge to them. The repop brackets, besides not being formed correctly had square unfinished edges and the ripples from the burning machine had to be ground off before they looked halfway decent.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/129919770

Alvin, were the edges on those bumpers from Bill’s finished???

Can't say with any authority but I've heard from many people that the reproduction grills are much thinner material and I’ve also heard complaints that some don't fit quite right. If the original grill is salvageable and your planning on painting it, I'd keep it. Of course if you insist on having a chrome grill then price wise your probably better off with the repro and dealing with the fit problems.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny, while the edges were not as you and I would like them to be they were much much better than bumpers I have purchased from Bumper Boyz and a couple of our vendors. (maybe the shearing blade was just newer?) I bought one bumper and checked it out. I liked it enough to buy another one a couple months later. Then a couple other bolters ordered and liked them.
The bumpers from Bill's actually come from somewhere in Mass. I think. I got the info somewhere. The bumpers also have a sticker on it that says Void when you pull it off. Since this company is also ISO 9000 certified says something about the company althought the "standards" could be less than we desire.
The bumpers are plated with three differnt nickels and are listed on the bumper sticker. Such as "strike nickel" and two others before chroming.
Plus the fact that Bill's were 146 with shipping while the vendors had a less quality bumper for 169/179 plus shipping.
And as you mentioned Denny, with originals needing so much work I feel Bill's give you a good bumper for the money.

My repop grille is thinner and lighter as you mentioned but since my truck will stay inside it should be ok till I leave this world.... and I paid $346 delivered to my front door.

First I'd like to thank both of you for your input. It sounds like Bill's in Ohio is a decent parts source for my needs?. I paid for another forum and have received no help what so ever. You guys are true experts and I appreciate your input. This truck and a future restored car (To be named later) will be what I leave both my boys. They have already shown a keen interest in my old Chevy Pickup. My 16 year old said "Dad What ever you do Don't change the Shocks".He and I were laughing at a few bumps! (Good Times) A future member no doubt. Your comments are appreciated and stored for my reference.
With appreciation,
Tom