Aftermarket Bumpers

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Aftermarket Bumpers

Angelo Voltura
Just stumbled on this picture from a while back. In case it helps anyone, this is why I hate buying aftermarket bumpers.

OEM on the left, aftermarket I beleive LMC on the right.

The image speaks for itself.


1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W
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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, most aftermarket bumpers are tin foil.  Not only do they bend in a minor accident, they'll inflict damage on the fenders.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

Angelo Voltura
This is actually why it was removed, small ding in the ditch bent her up and ruined a fender.

I know its fairly common knowledge at this point, but I figured I'd share a more visual aspect of it so people can really see it.
1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W
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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

85lebaront2
Administrator
This post was updated on .
It's worse the newer the truck, 1987-91 bumpers were weak from the beginning as they aren't bolted directly to the frame. They do have fairly substantial looking braces. The fellow I got the 1990 F250 parts truck bumped into the back of his 1964 Corvair Monza convertible and bent the end of the bumper and the brace, Corvair had a scrape in the paint.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
I just replaced my tinfoil Bricknose bumper, promptly drilled two big holes in it and hacked up the braces too.
(I've yet to pull it off again to space the fog lights and get more sideways throw)

Thick and solid is good.
See my suggestion to Jonathan about a push bumper for his ranch truck.

Thank you for the contribution Angelo!
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

Rembrant
In reply to this post by Angelo Voltura
Angelo Voltura wrote
Just stumbled on this picture from a while back. In case it helps anyone, this is why I hate buying aftermarket bumpers.

OEM on the left, aftermarket I beleive LMC on the right.
Out of curiosity, which LMC bumper is that? If it's a Bullnose front bumper, they sell a "Chrome Bumper" @ $119, and a "Premium Chrome Bumper" @ $189. I'm just curious if even the "Premium" bumper is thinner?

I am by no means standing up for the aftermarket here, but the market does drive a lot of choices in what the manufacturers will make. I see it all the time in my own work. I get it from customers all the time when they want to replace a 40 or 50 year old piece of equipment. They want to pay the price of the newer lighter model, but yet they want the heavy more robust older model. When I explain that double the metal means double the price, they often scoff at the notion.

I am sometimes willing to pay a premium for better (heavier) parts, but I would say I am also in the small minority of people that are willing to spend $20,000 rebuilding a truck will only be worth $10,000...lol.(My labor not included).

At the end of the day, when it comes to steel parts, you are paying by weight, and companies like LMC know they can sell far more light parts than they can heavy ones.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

Angelo Voltura
I'm not sure, I'm willing to be it was probably the cheaper one, but I'm not sure. I was actually curious about that myself.
1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W
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Re: Aftermarket Bumpers

Rembrant
Angelo Voltura wrote
I'm not sure, I'm willing to be it was probably the cheaper one, but I'm not sure. I was actually curious about that myself.
Yes, I'm curious too. My front bumper is a bit scuffed up. It cleans up good and looks fine at a glance, but up close it looks like it was polished with sand paper...lol.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995