Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**DANTIP** · 03-08-2011, 04:50 PM

Can anyone show pics that point out differences in Original/GM vs Reproduction Front and Rear Sport bumpers. I would prefer to find and use Original/GM bumpers but I don't know how to tell the difference.

Thanks!

VA72C10 · 03-08-2011, 05:09 PM

Interesting question. Not sure I've seen any markings to tell on the factory used ones I have...but the nicer repop ones have a sticker on the inside saying triple nickel plated.

jhwkns · 03-08-2011, 05:24 PM

Original bumpers are thicker/heavier.

VA72C10 · 03-08-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhwkns

Original bumpers are thicker/heavier.

I'll have to check my originals vs tri plus one...it seems just as heavy....

time to get out the scale

**72 Super** · 03-08-2011, 07:43 PM

Hey Dan, the original front bumpers are very wavey where the tag goes and the corners aren't that smooth either where they curve around the fenders. The body line( line that runs across the length of the bumpers) has a more defined/sharp shape on the original bumpers. The repro's line is not that sharp and have a more rounded look.

Ray

**Joesjunk** · 03-08-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 Super

Hey Dan, the original front bumpers are very wavey where the tag goes and the corners aren't that smooth either where they curve around the fenders. The body line( line that runs across the length of the bumpers) has a more defined/sharp shape on the original bumpers. The repro's line is not that sharp and have a more rounded look.

Ray

Great info, and also the original chrome has a little "grain" look to it. The repo ones are almost too perfect looking

oldblue1968chevy · 03-08-2011, 08:50 PM

Interested to know which is heavier..

turp mcspray · 03-08-2011, 09:57 PM

Side by side...the repop is WAY nicer.

scrapmetalart · 03-08-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

Side by side...the repop is WAY nicer.

until it starts rusting in the first couple of months...

**Tim Christian** · 03-08-2011, 10:12 PM

My Repop has been on for 10 years now no rust !!!! Remember you can by a cheap one or a good one your choice

Duncan and son · 03-09-2011, 12:11 AM

Hey Dan the original GM only has two (top) holes to mount the license plate and the repos I have seen have all four.
Hope that helps Paul

**DANTIP** · 03-09-2011, 07:21 AM

Great information! Thanks to all!

**twotrucks** · 03-09-2011, 10:03 AM

So I know when I go to buy the repop what is the good brand?

**James Pierce** · 03-09-2011, 03:00 PM

Just for info a 71-2 GMC bumper, Detroit iron weight is 29 lbs 1 oz...Has 2 holes for tag.

**GMCPaul** · 03-09-2011, 03:08 PM

The Tri-Plus made bumpers are considered to be the PREMIUM quality ( Highest quality ) bumpers for the these trucks, they are distributed under many names but the most common name found is Key Parts ( Key Parts is formally known as Fit-Rite ). If you get a Tri-Plus made bumper there will be 2 holes for the front license plate area just like original GM bumpers not 4-holes as Duncan and son found on the bumper they have so its not a Tri-Plus or GM bumper if it has 4.
""""""""""""
Quote:
Originally Posted by 72 Super
Hey Dan, the original front bumpers are very wavey where the tag goes and the corners aren't that smooth either where they curve around the fenders. The body line( line that runs across the length of the bumpers) has a more defined/sharp shape on the original bumpers. The repro's line is not that sharp and have a more rounded look.

Ray
"""""""""""""""""""""
I looked at 8 different original bumpers painted & chromed and could not find any wavy areas on them in the tag area or the corners, and I compared the crispness of body lines from NOS to Tri-Plus Repro and I did not find any difference either using a contour gauge, in regards to Chrome quality the Repro's definitely outshine even a NOS GM bumper's chrome, but I think this has to do with 30+ years of aging even if it was sitting on a dealers shelf at GM all these years. But the same can be said of the Chrome quality on original GM NOS exterior door handles, or the 70-72 exterior deluxe mirrors, basically any new NOS Chrome GM part I have ever seen as shown this aging with some more pronounced than others but all showing it.
In regards to rust I have Tri-Plus bumpers that have been outside on trucks for over 10 years now and they look as nice as my new bumpers ( except of course where they been hit or scrapped through the years but NO RUST so far unless the chromes damaged from a hit or scrape )
NOW a note of warning on installing any Bumper
Every bumper bracket reproduced I've seen has had a dish inward to the area where the bumper bolt passes through it, I've seen similar but not quite as bad a dish inward to this area on some NOS bumper brackets, if you install a bumper and you excessively tighten the bolts ( Bumper bolts should only be tightened to 35ft lbs not 100 ft lbs +) you can dish the bumper in cracking the chrome itself in this bumper bolt area because its dished inward at the bracket. This dished inward area on the ends of the bumper brackets where the bumper meets it I feel its probably caused by them punching the hole for the bolt to pass through distorting the surrounding metal and as they punch the hole it dimples inward. So definitely don't over torque the bolts its the same front or rear with the Sport chrome or sport painted bumpers 35 ft lbs at bumper face and 40 ft lbs at frame where bracket attaches to frame and if you want to take the time to flatten this area on your brackets it won't hurt either.
GMCPaul

03-08-2011, 04:50 PM	#1
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,880	Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Can anyone show pics that point out differences in Original/GM vs Reproduction Front and Rear Sport bumpers. I would prefer to find and use Original/GM bumpers but I don't know how to tell the difference. Thanks!

03-08-2011, 05:09 PM	#2
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,269	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Interesting question. Not sure I've seen any markings to tell on the factory used ones I have...but the nicer repop ones have a sticker on the inside saying triple nickel plated. __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

03-08-2011, 05:24 PM	#3
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Original bumpers are thicker/heavier. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

03-08-2011, 07:43 PM	#5
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,678	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Hey Dan, the original front bumpers are very wavey where the tag goes and the corners aren't that smooth either where they curve around the fenders. The body line( line that runs across the length of the bumpers) has a more defined/sharp shape on the original bumpers. The repro's line is not that sharp and have a more rounded look. Ray __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

03-08-2011, 08:50 PM	#7
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Interested to know which is heavier.. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

03-08-2011, 09:57 PM	#8
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Side by side...the repop is WAY nicer. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

03-08-2011, 10:12 PM	#10
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID My Repop has been on for 10 years now no rust !!!! Remember you can by a cheap one or a good one your choice

03-09-2011, 12:11 AM	#11
Duncan and son Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lubbock Texas Posts: 1,049	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Hey Dan the original GM only has two (top) holes to mount the license plate and the repos I have seen have all four. Hope that helps Paul __________________ You can shear a sheep every year, but you can only skin it once The person dealing with facts is never at the mercy of the person dealing with theory 1972 Cheyenne Super 402 400 A/c bucket seat tilt custom camper Longhorn 1975 Silverado 454 Crew cab camper special dually

03-09-2011, 07:21 AM	#12
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,880	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Great information! Thanks to all!

03-09-2011, 10:03 AM	#13
twotrucks Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 383	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID So I know when I go to buy the repop what is the good brand?

03-09-2011, 03:00 PM	#14
James Pierce Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cle Elum, Washington Posts: 163	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID Just for info a 71-2 GMC bumper, Detroit iron weight is 29 lbs 1 oz...Has 2 holes for tag. __________________ cascadeheavychevy 67 C10 327 4speed 69 C20 350 4WD 4speed 69 C20 350 4WD 4speed 69 C20 350 4 soeed 69 C20 CST 350 Auto 70 C10 307 4speed 71 GMC Supr 350 Auto 70 C10 350 Auto 67 CST 327 Auto

03-09-2011, 03:08 PM	#15
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,718	Re: Original/GM vs Repro Bumper ID The Tri-Plus made bumpers are considered to be the PREMIUM quality ( Highest quality ) bumpers for the these trucks, they are distributed under many names but the most common name found is Key Parts ( Key Parts is formally known as Fit-Rite ). If you get a Tri-Plus made bumper there will be 2 holes for the front license plate area just like original GM bumpers not 4-holes as Duncan and son found on the bumper they have so its not a Tri-Plus or GM bumper if it has 4. """""""""""" Quote: Originally Posted by 72 Super Hey Dan, the original front bumpers are very wavey where the tag goes and the corners aren't that smooth either where they curve around the fenders. The body line( line that runs across the length of the bumpers) has a more defined/sharp shape on the original bumpers. The repro's line is not that sharp and have a more rounded look. Ray """"""""""""""""""""" I looked at 8 different original bumpers painted & chromed and could not find any wavy areas on them in the tag area or the corners, and I compared the crispness of body lines from NOS to Tri-Plus Repro and I did not find any difference either using a contour gauge, in regards to Chrome quality the Repro's definitely outshine even a NOS GM bumper's chrome, but I think this has to do with 30+ years of aging even if it was sitting on a dealers shelf at GM all these years. But the same can be said of the Chrome quality on original GM NOS exterior door handles, or the 70-72 exterior deluxe mirrors, basically any new NOS Chrome GM part I have ever seen as shown this aging with some more pronounced than others but all showing it. In regards to rust I have Tri-Plus bumpers that have been outside on trucks for over 10 years now and they look as nice as my new bumpers ( except of course where they been hit or scrapped through the years but NO RUST so far unless the chromes damaged from a hit or scrape ) NOW a note of warning on installing any Bumper Every bumper bracket reproduced I've seen has had a dish inward to the area where the bumper bolt passes through it, I've seen similar but not quite as bad a dish inward to this area on some NOS bumper brackets, if you install a bumper and you excessively tighten the bolts ( Bumper bolts should only be tightened to 35ft lbs not 100 ft lbs +) you can dish the bumper in cracking the chrome itself in this bumper bolt area because its dished inward at the bracket. This dished inward area on the ends of the bumper brackets where the bumper meets it I feel its probably caused by them punching the hole for the bolt to pass through distorting the surrounding metal and as they punch the hole it dimples inward. So definitely don't over torque the bolts its the same front or rear with the Sport chrome or sport painted bumpers 35 ft lbs at bumper face and 40 ft lbs at frame where bracket attaches to frame and if you want to take the time to flatten this area on your brackets it won't hurt either. GMCPaul __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM



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