67-72 GMC front bumpers the same?

[CG]

Im pretty sure when I bought a new front bumper for my 68 GMC I asked for a 68. And I was also pretty sure they were all the same. Am I wrong? because man this bumper is not liking his new home. Fighting me all the way, the holes just aren't quite there, I'm having to do some serious tweaking. I think Ive put in at least three new aftermarket bumpers on 71/72 Chevs and never had a problem.

And as an aside I can see why doing a frame off down to the last nut and bolt is a good idea if you have the time and inclination.

Strip it down clean and blast everything, put it together (all the nice clean parts) to make sure everything fits and aligns close to perfectly. Blow it all apart for paint and put it all back together. More time but the frustration factor slides in to the happy zone =)

Can you guess Im getting very messy doing this haha.

[ratty69]

According to these guys they're all the same. Page 3.

http://www.billstruckshop.com/Catalo...Jan%202017.pdf

Of course you started ALL the bolts with only 2 threads before tightening anything. Is it possible that either the frame is tweaked or that you've got the wrong brackets ( 2wd vs 4wd )?

[CG]

Old bumper was fine, just got the end tweaked a little, frame it fine. Id love to have been able to start all the bolts just a smidge. I'm only able to get the two front lower ones started. I had to take off the front upper mounts (the small ones) to get the bumper on at all.

[ratty69]

Sounds like you might have a really craptastic repop. Been there with different parts...

One trick I've used on bent frame/bumper trucks is to get some way longer bolts that are fully threaded and use them to pull the bumper in tight. Then change out those bolts for the originals, one at a time. Use a washer under the head and grease under the washer so you don't mess up the chrome.

Hope it works out.

[hewittca]

The only difference I know of is that they moved the marker lights into the bumper in '71. Other than that, I believe the overall shape and mounting is the same.

[Shinysideup]

Obviously the bumper is not all that bent. You will need to tweek the brackets possibly for re-alignment. Loosen everything and get it all started before tightening anything.

[CG]

Ugh what a pain this was. Took the two small bumper brackets off, those will never go back on, no way to make em work unless I elongate holes. Took off the ends of the long brackets where they bolt to the frame. Got in my bumper bolt stash, found some extra long ones. Got in my larger thick washer stash, and made everything work. I need to fill the two upper middle holes with super short bumper bolts just so the holes are filled.

[ratty69]

Glad to hear you got it in the end. When you see repops that are so messed up, it makes you wonder what they copied when they them...

[CG]

It was odd for sure. Never had a problem with one before. Even had a repop on my 62 Unibody, no problems at all.

[special-K]

So, the brackets were not affected by the nephew tweak job? 67-70 Chevy Bumpers are the same as a '67 GMC. 68-72 GMC bumpers bolt up the same, but are scooped out for the turn signals slightly. Do you know what brand of bumper you have, or remember where you bought it?

[CG]

The bracket on the end that was pushed in was bent a little. BFH, a block of wood, and a some vice work moved it back very close to perfect.

I bought it in Everett at Dreamers. Ill have to check the box to see if it has manufacture on it. Ive bought bumpers from them in the past with zero problems.


EDIT: I just checked the labeling. Couple of Dreamers labels and a redacted label that only had left the country of manufacture readable ... Taiwan

[GMCPaul]

67-68 GMC is the same as the 1967-70 Chevy, the 67-68 GMC did not have the curved dished out area in front of the parking lights. Then in 1969 they added the curved dished out area in front of the parking lights in the grill and the bumper stayed the same until the last 1972 GMC was made so other version is 1969-72 GMC
You can put the earlier style on the 69-72 GMC, and you can put the later style on the 67-68 so they are interchangeable as they all use the same bumper brackets to install them.
Paul Jr. @ GMCPauls

[CKfan]

Good info GMCPaul. Was searching my manuals and gave up. Great to have this site for reference when buying parts (so I quit buying the wrong ones).