Step bumper conversion

[crazydavez28]

I'm adapting a GM truck bumper to fit on my Elco for general utility and convenience. It doesn't look too crazy once you shorten the width 3" on each side. Gonna hopefully plasma out holes for the taillights tomorrow and then test fit before it gets a coat of bedliner. I only have one crappy pic (terrible quality i know )before the chopping took place but it gives the idea.

It's nice to have a good step when climbing in the bed on a lifted elco

 

[jlcustomz]

I think it should look ok once you trim the ends. Some of us like ours steel bumpers, i,m with you there. My current rear bumper is a combination of existing inner & top edge , a mid 70's nova bumper, & a little custom work. I,m not happy with the look of this bumper, but a few things on it may give you ideas. I bought grote brand 2 by 6 truck lites, made a holder on the inside, & cut my own pattern out (opposing flames). I,d do something a little simpler& cleaner now. Halogen lights for backup, may do small moonshaped style under the bumper next time. Did custom notches for exhaust.On the sides I cut slits to help bend metal closer to body profile & rewelded. Left approx 3/4" gap between body for a little impact safety. Powdercoat was not as tough as I thought, pool chlorine quickly ruined it.

 

[crazydavez28]

I got all the trim holes filled in today and put on Herculiner after stripping all the chrome off of the bumper. Love the texture of the bed-liner. You can't see all the dents that I roughly pounded out of the bumper and it masks the roughness of the cut on the holes for the lights (free hand plasma cut). Gotta let the Herculiner cure for 24h before manhandling it into place. I am also putting three coats of Nightshade on the stock taillights to hide how junky they look. Should be able to finish them up tomorrow and get pics of the finished look.

I know it's not everyone's cup o' tea but I'm gonna love having a nice handy step to get in the bed and a place to mount a hitch to. Gotta love functionality.


I would have liked to go with a nice conservative flat black paint job but I figure if a stepped on bondo too many times it would break and look trashy.

 

[crazydavez28]

Had a great time putting this together tonight. Everything went smooth till I went to drill holes for the speed nuts to hold the lights in. After rebuilding my dewalt's trigger got a chance to get some finished pics. Most will not like this but I do .

I will need to find some 90 degree lamp sockets to make this a real easy install the stock sockets got cut to fit for now

Herculiner turned out real well I think

makes the lights look a whole lot better than they did.

taillights and reverse

 

[jlcustomz]

Rebuilt the dewalt trigger huh, sounds like something I do 1 or 2 times a year with my 18 v dewalt collection.
Dude, I think the bumper looks like an improvement for a truck you'll actually use as a truck. Definitely passes as a man's bumper, not some weak fiberglass panel with no crash protection. Not something you,d put on a show car slammed on 20's, but nice enough for a non el camino person to not know the difference.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

That looks good actually! The lights just make it look stock but definatley a practical add on

 

[Tuggy24g]

That looks sweet! Maybe when you get a chance I love to see a daylight picture of how it looks.

 

[Dave V]

Looks great love the look

 

[crazydavez28]

Thanks guys! I was definitely expecting more hate for this. It gets me one step closer to putting in new metal on the bedsides... not yet though gotta mount the body to my new frame sections first.

Here are some daytime pics of the bumper and my custom frame modifications/repair.

I still want to diamond patch this joint for extra strength before pulling stuff.

It also allows for larger tire diameter without frame interference and I can move the axle rearward if I switch to truck arms or adjustable control arms.

PS the handling difference between rotten frame horns and this new fix with the stiff bar at the rear was INCREDIBLE just saying

 

[88ss408]

nice work man. love the bumper and the frame rails!!