Lowering front bumper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

roofingbloke · 10-01-2010, 02:37 AM

I am going to lower my front bumper so the top edge of the bumper looks in thine with the rounded body panel under the grill,

Q. has anyone done this also.

vin63 · 10-01-2010, 11:10 AM

I've done this on other vehicles (not a mid-year truck). What I've done in the past was weld up the existing carriage bolt holes, and then mock up the bumper where I wanted to re-position it. I would then mark where the new mount holes will need to be punched or drilled. Sounds like a neat idea. Good luck.

erock805 · 10-01-2010, 11:39 AM

I like the idea too. the front bumper sits higher than the rest of the truck for sure. also the fronts always look pretty busy or crammed together...making it a bit taller should help that.

61_FL_Apache · 10-01-2010, 12:52 PM

Anyone have pics of what this looks like when done?

roofingbloke · 10-01-2010, 03:46 PM

I think about 1 and a quater inch, would do it, a z cut in the ver tip af the chassis,

jonzcustomshop · 10-01-2010, 07:14 PM

the front frame horns conform to the shape of the bumper, so I would suspect that the thing to do would be is just slice them off, leave 'em bolted to the bumper, drop the bumper, and weld 'em back where the new location is.
after that then pull the bumper, and weld in some gussets.

HSkinner · 10-01-2010, 10:48 PM

post pics when ur done

fryer1979 · 10-01-2010, 11:58 PM

Neat idea, would like to see the in progress as well as the finished pics if possible.

**Captainfab** · 10-02-2010, 12:38 AM

This is exactly how I would do this. The bumper could also be moved closer to the grill panel at the same time

I agree we need to see some pics of this mod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

the front frame horns conform to the shape of the bumper, so I would suspect that the thing to do would be is just slice them off, leave 'em bolted to the bumper, drop the bumper, and weld 'em back where the new location is.
after that then pull the bumper, and weld in some gussets.

*lakeroadster* · 10-02-2010, 10:14 AM

While I understand that lowering the front bumper would look better as viewed directly from the front of the truck I believe this will not look better from the side. In the stock configuration the bottom of the front bumper is already a bit lower than the lower front fender. Dropping it further will make the "flow" look strange....IMHO. Kind of like a snow plow.

Tucking the bumper closer to the body would look better... my bumper is bent and is closer on the passenger side than the drivers side. Visually the bent side looks better than the stock side! Perhaps I should driver into something on the drivers side! The Larry, Daryl and Daryl Custom Shop method.

SCOTI · 10-02-2010, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

While I understand that lowering the front bumper would look better as viewed directly from the front of the truck I believe this will not look better from the side. In the stock configuration the bottom of the front bumper is already a bit lower than the lower front fender. Dropping it further will make the "flow" look strange....IMHO. Kind of like a snow plow.

Tucking the bumper closer to the body would look better... my bumper is bent and is closer on the passenger side than the drivers side. Visually the bent side looks better than the stock side! Perhaps I should driver into something on the drivers side! The Larry, Daryl and Daryl Custom Shop method.

I agree. Up & in would 'look' better vs. down. That 'snow-plow' descript seems to fit if just dropping the bumper.

Since my build is on a 68 frame, I wasn't 100% certain where the bumper needed to be w/o swapping the body. So I made front bumper brackets much like rear bumper brackets (instead of the fixed mounting position on the frame horns). This should allow me a little wiggle room to place the bumper in an optimal position vs. the body. Still haven't swapped the body so I don't know how well it's going to work.

*lakeroadster* · 10-03-2010, 08:37 AM

Frizzle Fry's Truck

*lakeroadster* · 10-03-2010, 08:38 AM

The only front bumper mod's I can recall is Frizzle Fry's Truck...

Keeping in mind he has done extensive rework of the wheel opening by replacing the stock lip with one from a 67 fender.

Here is a link to his photo's

http://photobucket.com/albums/y236/e...61%20C5%20PU/?

erock805 · 10-05-2010, 06:38 PM

I still dig it. I think Im gunna pull the trigger on this. Hate how high the bumper sits compared to the rest of the truck. Worse comes to worse a fella could extend the fender in the front down a bit.

Frizzle Fry · 10-05-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

the front frame horns conform to the shape of the bumper, so I would suspect that the thing to do would be is just slice them off, leave 'em bolted to the bumper, drop the bumper, and weld 'em back where the new location is.
after that then pull the bumper, and weld in some gussets.

That's exactly what I did before the section. I like it tucked and moved down a bit. Jury is still out on the section. We'll see how it turns out in 2025

ConnDemned · 10-05-2010, 10:19 PM

I put a bumper off a 67-72 chevy truck, just hung it on the front frame horns, and thought it looked sway to tall. I believe it was only a couple inches taller but it hung down and looked funny compared to the fenders. I'm going to just flip the front bumper, I have a strong dislike for the stock bumpers and their upside down look.

Frizz, do you have any more pics of the wheel arch swap, or someway I could copy your idea without thinking? Looks great with the "radius" look to them
Posted via Mobile Device

Frizzle Fry · 10-06-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConnDemned

Frizz, do you have any more pics of the wheel arch swap, or someway I could copy your idea without thinking? Looks great with the "radius" look to them
Posted via Mobile Device

Don't want to hijack here. Pics are in my PB acct previously linked and some description is in the build thread. PM me if you want more detail.

*lakeroadster* · 10-06-2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConnDemned

I'm going to just flip the front bumper, I have a strong dislike for the stock bumpers and their upside down look. Posted via Mobile Device

I have heard others talk about flipping the front bumper. Anybody got any photos of this?

chevy_mike · 10-06-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

I have heard others talk about flipping the front bumper. Anybody got any photos of this?

I had thought about doing this too. I don't recall where I ran across the pic but I did see one done and wasn't really sure if I liked it. Too bad the bumper mounts to the frame rails and to flip it, it requires much more work then just bolting brackets on upside down.

Curious if anyone still has pics.

bigdaddy64 · 10-06-2010, 02:26 PM

I've always thought that chevy screwed up and put the bumper on upside down! I've got some pictures of a couple of trucks with the bumper flipped at home (at work now), but i'll be flipping mine. Have to cut the frame horns off and flip side to side to do it. Just waiting to get my front wrap back on to do it. imo it looks better flipped.

chevy_mike · 10-06-2010, 04:38 PM

Cool. Post up some pics.

I have also wondered what a '55 Bel Air bumper would look like. Fill in the apron like the Bel Air too.

Frizzle Fry · 10-06-2010, 05:24 PM

Not that it matters, but I think they look dumb flipped. Look at the Belair. Would it look good with the top of the bumper sticking out? Same aesthetic applies to the trucks. That's ok, I'm sure some of the stuff I've done looks weird to some people too.

chevy_mike · 10-06-2010, 05:46 PM

I think I recall Foose doing a Bel Air and flipping and trimming the stock bumper and it really looked sweet... but with Foose doing it, it always ends up looking sweet!

ConnDemned · 10-06-2010, 07:55 PM

I have a pic I saved to my phone, it is only a side pic, but I can't post it from my phone. I have seen a few where they flipped the bumper but the angle was off so it looked goofy. I have a camaro clip so I have to redo bumper mounts anyway so I will mount the bumper to a correct angle. If I can find a pic I will post it.
Posted via Mobile Device
This isn't the pic I was thinking of but kt shows it a little better, might wanna zoom in a little as the pic maybe small

10-01-2010, 02:37 AM	#1
roofingbloke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: swindon, england Posts: 290	Lowering front bumper I am going to lower my front bumper so the top edge of the bumper looks in thine with the rounded body panel under the grill, Q. has anyone done this also.

10-01-2010, 11:10 AM	#2
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: Lowering front bumper I've done this on other vehicles (not a mid-year truck). What I've done in the past was weld up the existing carriage bolt holes, and then mock up the bumper where I wanted to re-position it. I would then mark where the new mount holes will need to be punched or drilled. Sounds like a neat idea. Good luck. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

10-01-2010, 11:39 AM	#3
erock805 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 392	Re: Lowering front bumper I like the idea too. the front bumper sits higher than the rest of the truck for sure. also the fronts always look pretty busy or crammed together...making it a bit taller should help that. __________________ "Do what you want to the girl, but leave me alone!"

10-01-2010, 12:52 PM	#4
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: Lowering front bumper Anyone have pics of what this looks like when done? __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

10-01-2010, 03:46 PM	#5
roofingbloke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: swindon, england Posts: 290	Re: Lowering front bumper I think about 1 and a quater inch, would do it, a z cut in the ver tip af the chassis,

10-01-2010, 07:14 PM	#6
jonzcustomshop 1961 crewcab Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 6,164	Re: Lowering front bumper the front frame horns conform to the shape of the bumper, so I would suspect that the thing to do would be is just slice them off, leave 'em bolted to the bumper, drop the bumper, and weld 'em back where the new location is. after that then pull the bumper, and weld in some gussets. __________________ 60 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280904 61 crew build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=646830 63 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=336537 64 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448681 65 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590715 65 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=281955

10-01-2010, 10:48 PM	#7
HSkinner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Snowflake Az. Posts: 86	Re: Lowering front bumper post pics when ur done

10-01-2010, 11:58 PM	#8
fryer1979 Redneck Hillbilly Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Backwoods Posts: 1,307	Re: Lowering front bumper Neat idea, would like to see the in progress as well as the finished pics if possible.

10-02-2010, 10:14 AM	#10
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: Lowering front bumper While I understand that lowering the front bumper would look better as viewed directly from the front of the truck I believe this will not look better from the side. In the stock configuration the bottom of the front bumper is already a bit lower than the lower front fender. Dropping it further will make the "flow" look strange....IMHO. Kind of like a snow plow. Tucking the bumper closer to the body would look better... my bumper is bent and is closer on the passenger side than the drivers side. Visually the bent side looks better than the stock side! Perhaps I should driver into something on the drivers side! The Larry, Daryl and Daryl Custom Shop method. Attached Images Last edited by lakeroadster; 10-02-2010 at 10:24 AM.

10-03-2010, 08:37 AM	#12
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: Lowering front bumper Frizzle Fry's Truck Attached Images

10-03-2010, 08:38 AM	#13
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: Lowering front bumper The only front bumper mod's I can recall is Frizzle Fry's Truck... Keeping in mind he has done extensive rework of the wheel opening by replacing the stock lip with one from a 67 fender. Here is a link to his photo's http://photobucket.com/albums/y236/e...61%20C5%20PU/? Attached Images Last edited by lakeroadster; 10-03-2010 at 08:44 AM.

10-05-2010, 06:38 PM	#14
erock805 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: gilbert, az Posts: 392	Re: Lowering front bumper I still dig it. I think Im gunna pull the trigger on this. Hate how high the bumper sits compared to the rest of the truck. Worse comes to worse a fella could extend the fender in the front down a bit. __________________ "Do what you want to the girl, but leave me alone!"

10-05-2010, 10:19 PM	#16
ConnDemned Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 103	Re: Lowering front bumper I put a bumper off a 67-72 chevy truck, just hung it on the front frame horns, and thought it looked sway to tall. I believe it was only a couple inches taller but it hung down and looked funny compared to the fenders. I'm going to just flip the front bumper, I have a strong dislike for the stock bumpers and their upside down look. Frizz, do you have any more pics of the wheel arch swap, or someway I could copy your idea without thinking? Looks great with the "radius" look to them Posted via Mobile Device

10-06-2010, 02:26 PM	#20
bigdaddy64 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Phoenix, Or. Posts: 22	Re: Lowering front bumper I've always thought that chevy screwed up and put the bumper on upside down! I've got some pictures of a couple of trucks with the bumper flipped at home (at work now), but i'll be flipping mine. Have to cut the frame horns off and flip side to side to do it. Just waiting to get my front wrap back on to do it. imo it looks better flipped. __________________ 66 c20 with 1/2 ton 73-87 front and rear suspension 2-1/2" drop spindles, air-bags, c-notch rear frame 463 Pontiac, SRP Pistons, Eagle Crank and Rods Mega-Squirt Fuel Injection

10-06-2010, 04:38 PM	#21
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Lowering front bumper Cool. Post up some pics. I have also wondered what a '55 Bel Air bumper would look like. Fill in the apron like the Bel Air too. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...



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10-06-2010, 05:24 PM	#22
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Lowering front bumper Not that it matters, but I think they look dumb flipped. Look at the Belair. Would it look good with the top of the bumper sticking out? Same aesthetic applies to the trucks. That's ok, I'm sure some of the stuff I've done looks weird to some people too.

10-06-2010, 05:46 PM	#23
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Lowering front bumper I think I recall Foose doing a Bel Air and flipping and trimming the stock bumper and it really looked sweet... but with Foose doing it, it always ends up looking sweet! __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

10-06-2010, 07:55 PM	#24
ConnDemned Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 103	Re: Lowering front bumper I have a pic I saved to my phone, it is only a side pic, but I can't post it from my phone. I have seen a few where they flipped the bumper but the angle was off so it looked goofy. I have a camaro clip so I have to redo bumper mounts anyway so I will mount the bumper to a correct angle. If I can find a pic I will post it. Posted via Mobile Device This isn't the pic I was thinking of but kt shows it a little better, might wanna zoom in a little as the pic maybe small Attached Images Last edited by ConnDemned; 10-06-2010 at 08:47 PM.

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