Rear Bumper

[NV_K5]

My chrome rear bumper isn't holding up anymore. So I'm nearly done with a new custom, self built bumper and though I'd share it with ya'll. Hopefully I dont get in an accident because the rest of my truck will likely disintegrate around the bumper.

Old Bumper, looks crooked because I partially unbolted it before thinking to take a picture, and becuase it's really bent:

Beginning of the new bumper to see how long etc it would be:

Shredded frame rails:

So I cut the frame rails and all the swiss cheese that was holding a hitch, and took a 4 x 8 piece of rectangle tubing, cut it in nearly 1/2 and inserted into the frame rail for an extentsion and frame reinforcement. it's bolted to the shackle flip and several other places with grade 8 bolts.

Primered and painted twice, ready for abuse

I've got some additional bracing and a theory on a spare tire carrier but I'm pretty tired of working on one bumper.

 

[munepit]

Looks good!!
I need a new one also!!

That is a badass Blazer!

 

[NorCal69]

Those frame rails were really toast.

I like the new bumper, nice clean lines.

 

[AJs72K5]

I dig it. Nicely done.

 

[ashman]

looks good, plus answers a question I was going to ask.

I'm looking to put the stock rear bumper back onto my truck, but I wasn't sure if my frame had been cut... now I know it has. d'oh.

 

[NV_K5]

thanks guys, I had a few things in mind, and I think I've hit the majority of my desired criteria.

looks good, plus answers a question I was going to ask.

I'm looking to put the stock rear bumper back onto my truck, but I wasn't sure if my frame had been cut... now I know it has. d'oh.

Here's another frame horn pic that is a little further out, I think most first gen K5's have missing horns.

 

[AJs72K5]

Here's another frame horn pic that is a little further out, I think most first gen K5's have missing horns.

Mine still has them. Can you shoot a pic of the bumper from directly behind the truck?

 

[NV_K5]

Yep, I'll pull it out tonight. It's in the garage currnelty and against the water heater etc.

 

[ashman]

Here's another frame horn pic that is a little further out, I think most first gen K5's have missing horns.

thanks. from what I understand, the trucks didn't have frame horns in the back, so I might be able to make truck brackets work.

 

[AJs72K5]

thanks. from what I understand, the trucks didn't have frame horns in the back, so I might be able to make truck brackets work.

That's correct. There's an additional 2 brackets required to mount the factory rear bumper on a truck.

 

[bp71k5]

For the historians among us, the 72 was the only one with the bent frame horns. 71 an earlier are cut straight off.

 

[NorCal69]

For the historians among us, the 72 was the only one with the bent frame horns. 71 an earlier are cut straight off.

Thanks, I thought that i learned yet another new thing with my rig today.

 

[NV_K5]

Thanks, I thought that i learned yet another new thing with my rig today.

Heaven forbid. I wondered why I'd seen so many w/out the frame horns. Mine were not only swiss cheese but also varying in angle and direction. Humm sounds like me.

Here are some rear shots:

And here is the new desktop background photo for me:

And Friday I should have some rubber to wrap around this theory - which is temporary until I can create something more secure and durable:

 

[ashman]

For the historians among us, the 72 was the only one with the bent frame horns. 71 an earlier are cut straight off.

interesting. mine are cut very straight... I wonder if I have a frame from an earlier year? :think:

 

[Z71paramedic]

Do you not drive it on the street, or are you going to find someplace else to mount your plates? Looks really nice though, I'm thinking of something with similar lines but maybe just a tad thicker (not as worried about clearance on mine). Well done!

 

[bp71k5]

interesting. mine are cut very straight... I wonder if I have a frame from an earlier year? :think:

Maybe, it's also possible you got one of the last of the bunch, or even don't have the year truck you think you do. that happened to me once.

 

[ashman]

Maybe, it's also possible you got one of the last of the bunch, or even don't have the year truck you think you do. that happened to me once.

great, now I have to check the door plate and vin number against my title...grrr. hope I don't find out I don't really own my truck.

 

[NV_K5]

Do you not drive it on the street, or are you going to find someplace else to mount your plates? Looks really nice though, I'm thinking of something with similar lines but maybe just a tad thicker (not as worried about clearance on mine). Well done!

Regarding the license phase 2 is something like this:

and

 

[Z71paramedic]

Gotcha! Looking good man.

 

[brandoneh]

Bumper looks great. Nice job.