Rear was Frame Cut For Step Bumper how to fix it? (PICS)

[jeremywrags]

Hi Guys,

Anyone seen this before? Looks like someone has cut the tips off the frame to accommodate for a crappy aftermarket step bumper... What can I do if I want to go back to a stock bumper?

I thought about finding a 72 or back truck at the Junkyard and cutting the tips off that frame to weld onto mine, good idea bad idea???

Or perhaps I just go with a nice custom bumper?


Anyway, look at the pics and let me know what you think?

 

[bp71k5]

Actually, the 72 was the only year for the rear turndown on the frame. I'm not sure though if 73 and later had a similar design so you might check one of those. I doubt they are the same though.

The earlier years had the frame cut flush with the back of the bed and had some brackets that hold the stock bumper on. The real inner brackets are super rare and expensive. I had to modify a set of repro truck brackets which are close to what the factory did for them.

 

[bigbadchev84]

I would be worrying about the body mounts before a bumper!

 

[jeremywrags]

I already have a full set of poly mounts ready to go on. Just evaluating all that needs to be done in the next few weeks.

So far I have one rocker removed, new gas tank, shackle flip, new body mounts and a 1" body lift.

The bumper was just something I noticed as it looks like the frame was torched to acomodate for a different year bumper

 

[jeremywrags]

So from the looks of it the frame was cut to make room for a non 1972 bumper. Does that mean that the easy solution is to get a bumper and brackets from another year?

 

[bp71k5]

So from the looks of it the frame was cut to make room for a non 1972 bumper. Does that mean that the easy solution is to get a bumper and brackets from another year?

The bumpers at the same from 69-72, but the frame was different for 72. The easy solution is find a bumper from 69-72 and brackets from 69-71 truck. Both can be had as reproductions from LMC. You'll just need to cut the ~6" off the brackets as weld in a shorter chunk of steel plate next to the mounting holes. I can take a few pics of mine tomorrow if you need.

 

[ashman]

I can take a few pics of mine tomorrow if you need.

please do. I am in the same situation and would love to see how you've got it done.

 

[jeremywrags]

Yea a pic would be great, I have found some brackets locally and will pick them up this week. Probably get a nice bumper from lmc or brothers once I figure it all out.

Thanks

 

[bp71k5]

Heres a few pics. You basically need to cut off any material that interferes with the body mount inside the frame.

After you cut the inner end off just behind the frame mounting holes, you need an "L" shaped cut out of the top just above the mounting holes. You then add a thicker flat piece to strengthen the area since the reinforcing bend was cut away. The factory brackets I saw had 1/4" thick plates welded in there.