1975 bumper onto 1985 frame?

[Ned Kelly]

Would a 1975 bumper fit a 1985?
Just asking as I have a minty 1975 grill guard to put on, but '75 and '85 bumper profiles are slightly different.
Do I just need to put the 1975 bumper braces onto the 1985 and then bolt on the '75 bumper?
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-chevy-gmc/front-bumper/cc-1973-80-front-bumper

 

[imiceman44]

Would a 1975 bumper fit a 1985?
Just asking as I have a minty 1975 grill guard to put on, but '75 and '85 bumper profiles are slightly different.
Do I just need to put the 1975 bumper braces onto the 1985 and then bolt on the '75 bumper?
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-chevy-gmc/front-bumper/cc-1973-80-front-bumper

It's not a quick bolt on solution but yes you can do it using the brackets from the 75 but you need to make something to bolt the middle line of bolts as they bolted to the frame curve.
The newer frame is open channel

 

[Ned Kelly]

44...thanks for the info. I was not aware of the frame differences. I'll look for a local early style bumper and start cobbling! Thanks.

 

[sweetk30]

its easier for a 73-80 frame to be modded for 81-up bumper than backwards . if you can fab decent it wont be to hard .

 

[Ned Kelly]

Yeah, or i'll modify the mounts on the 1978 grill guard to fit on to the 1985 K30.

 

[USSkoval]

The '75 bumper will bolt right up to the '85 center brackets, but shims are needed on the lower bolts so the bumper will sit level. The 70's outer mounts will need to be used.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Good to know. Thanks.