Are these Bumper Guards original?

[underliner6]

Does anyone know how to verify if bumper guards are original GM or not?

Here are photos of the ones I just picked up...

Thanks,

Jim

[leddzepp]

The ribbed rubber inserts tell me they are aftermarket, but I think they are all made by the same manufacturer. I’ve had both and can’t tell the difference other than the rubber inserts are smooth on the oem guards.

[underliner6]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

The ribbed rubber inserts tell me they are aftermarket, but I think they are all made by the same manufacturer. I’ve had both and can’t tell the difference other than the rubber inserts are smooth on the oem guards.

Cool. Thanks for the info!

[special-K]

Hold your horses. First of all, there were no original bumper guards because they were never an option. The GM accessory program that offered aftermarket trinkets offered the guards, Vent Shades, etc. There were guards offered from other sources and from what I have seen, those have differences in the metal itself... shape and general design. The way to tell the GM accessory guards is the sides above the bumper are wider, the others are "cut out" more.

As far as the ribbed pads go. I have personally bought bumper guards from the Chevrolet Parts counter that came out of the GM box that had those ribbed pads. In fact, the last purchase I made on those was around 1989 when I bought two pair. I used the one pair on my '70 CST Custom Camper/30 work truck and the other pair laid up in my stash. In '07 I went to sell them and when I opened the box I saw they had ribs. So you can't go by the ribs. Yours look to be GM accessories.

[palallin]

One indication (necessary but not sufficient): do they fit the bumper? I have bought aftermarket guards that did not match the contours at all.

[underliner6]

Originally Posted by special-K

Hold your horses. First of all, there were no original bumper guards because they were never an option. The GM accessory program that offered aftermarket trinkets offered the guards, Vent Shades, etc. There were guards offered from other sources and from what I have seen, those have differences in the metal itself... shape and general design. The way to tell the GM accessory guards is the sides above the bumper are wider, the others are "cut out" more.

As far as the ribbed pads go. I have personally bought bumper guards from the Chevrolet Parts counter that came out of the GM box that had those ribbed pads. In fact, the last purchase I made on those was around 1989 when I bought two pair. I used the one pair on my '70 CST Custom Camper/30 work truck and the other pair laid up in my stash. In '07 I went to sell them and when I opened the box I saw they had ribs. So you can't go by the ribs. Yours look to be GM accessories.

I wasn’t aware that bumper guards did not come factory on our trucks. I would love to see a side by side comparison between the GM accessory guards and a modern repop.

[underliner6]

Originally Posted by palallin

One indication (necessary but not sufficient): do they fit the bumper? I have bought aftermarket guards that did not match the contours at all.

I bought them online and only have these photos. When I have them physically in my possession I will check.

[underliner6]

Originally Posted by palallin

One indication (necessary but not sufficient): do they fit the bumper? I have bought aftermarket guards that did not match the contours at all.

I bought them online and only have these photos. When I have them physically in my possession I will check.

[leddzepp]

No they were never a factory option but as pointed out they were available as GM accessories over the counter as well as aftermarket (GEM). I’ve had both and could not tell a difference in them and they both fit the bumper perfectly. OP when you actually have them in your possession, mount them up and post up a pic and we can go from there.