Custom Rear Bumper Options

[Chevy305]

My rear bumper needs to be replaced and I also need to install a hitch to tow my boat which is about 5000 lbs fully loaded. My current set up (an $89 JC Whitney special from several years back):





So I was thinking why not combine the two? Could it be possible with the right bracing and mounts? My truck is clean and maintains a refined look so a tube bumper and a chunk of C-channel are out of the question. Given the hight of my truck I definatly need a step bumper to help climbing in and out of the bed. Anybody have any ideas or pics to help guide me? Should I just install a hitch and a stock bumper?

 

[Chevy305]

I've been searching all morning and can't find anything that has a custom rear bumper and is a stepside. Please help...
A quick reference for the factory bumper:

 

[trav0302]

I don't think i've seen one for a bit.

 

[63chevyll]

Personally, I like the look of a stock bumper and a receiver hitch. Also, the adjustablity of a receiver style hitch.

If you wanted to keep it black you could take a stock fleet side bumper and shorten it to your own desired width that looks good on your step side.

 

[Chevy305]

I'm kinda leaning towards a stock bumper and a reciever hitch.

Factory bumper with reciever hitch:
I like the look its clean

But this is the exact bumper I've been picturing in my head:
And it has more utility in the fact that I can step up on it.

Now where the hell can I find it?

 

[Chevy305]

This one gives me ideas...

I figured out where that bumper comes from on that Tan stepside pictured in my last post:
A damn S10 Why didn't I think of that...

Here's an example:

 

[ryoken]

I'd take the stock and hitch over the step ANY day... the step bumper looks stupid with the stepside imo...

 

[Deuling]

I like that tan one, but it may be cuz of the big fattttaaayss in the back lol.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I did a late 70's El Camino bumper for a guy many years ago. Narrowed it to the bed width. Receiver was behind the plate. Tail lights frenched into the bumper. No pictures though.

 

[63chevyll]

Actually, now that you bring it up, those wagon and elcamino bumpers do have the built into the bumper look pretty good.

 

[Chevy305]

I did a late 70's El Camino bumper for a guy many years ago. Narrowed it to the bed width. Receiver was behind the plate. Tail lights frenched into the bumper. No pictures though.

You mean like this:

Where's the puke smiley? Sorry it doesn't do it for me.

 

[Chevy305]

The more I look at it, the more I think that the step bumper has gotta go... I made up my mind, stock bumper and reciever hitch.

This is what it'll look like:

This pic is badass, but has nothing to do with this thread:

 

[Jester1]

If you lose the step bumper. You could always get one of those hitch steps that slide in the receiver. There when you need it gone when you don't.

 

[Blue85]

What is the difference between this bumper and the stock front bumpers? I know the front has a couple more bolt holes, but if the width is about the same that makes your search a lot easier.

 

[Chevy305]

What is the difference between this bumper and the stock front bumpers? I know the front has a couple more bolt holes, but if the width is about the same that makes your search a lot easier.

The front is wider, same as the fleetside rear bumper. The stepside rear bumper is about the width of the tail lights, not the end of the fenders like a fleetside.

The bumper I have now is better suited for a fleetside truck because it is WIDE. Thats why I am weiry about getting a custom bumper because they are just as wide and wouldn't look right on a stepside.