Bumper Rant

zibzer · December 29, 2006

When I first saw the NBS Silverado/Sierra in the 1990s on a TV ad I said out loud to myself that I would own one some day. Well I now own a 2000 Silverado and I am glad I bought it (even though the dash gurgles at me). However, there is one thing I would like to rant about.

Hey GM, Where's your front bumper?!

So why did GM get rid of the front bumper and replace it with a boring thin piece of metal and plastic? I drove a 1995 Sierra as my first truck (well it was my dad's) and it had a nice metal bumper with rubber guard all around the front of it. I could bring it into the bush and knock over small shrubs and other crap and I could never hurt the bumper. A carwash and a little chrome shine would go a LONG way.

Now that I have my nbs silverado I bought it with a small dent in the bumper. But after looking at the bumper I see all it is is thin tin with some chrome. No wonder it got dented! the old owner probably hit a bird going 60mph and managed to dent in the bumper.

Come on GM, its a truck! if you want to put plastic crap on the front of your cars go right ahead... but a truck is a truck, and should be able to withstand a bit of beating!

What do you guys think? Should GM bring back the bumper? or should GM continue on the Plastic Revolution?

Truckin2003 · December 29, 2006

couldnt agree more myself...trucks arent hardly trucks anymore.

spock · December 29, 2006

I'm with you, Zibzer. My '93 1500 had nice, meaty bumpers that could take a hit. They were still in perfect shape when i traded it in after 11 yrs. Nowadays they are so thin you can bend them with your bare hands, at least the front one. Also, notice they took away the wrap around side moulding the OBS trucks had? Now it's just on the doors. It's all about saving the company money. Less metal/material used=more $ for the executives' bonuses. Thanks for letting me rant.

pm26 · December 29, 2006

Maybe they should use a bumper like the one on my 2.5 ton Army truck. Basically plain 3/16 inch thick steel painted bumper. Pretty sturdy and quite functional for an Army truck. Or any truck.

sturdy bumper

drumset5994 · December 30, 2006

A DUCE AND A HALF!!!

My dad drove one of those back in the Army...circa 1969.

zibzer · December 30, 2006

I'm with you, Zibzer. My '93 1500 had nice, meaty bumpers that could take a hit. They were still in perfect shape when i traded it in after 11 yrs. Nowadays they are so thin you can bend them with your bare hands, at least the front one. Also, notice they took away the wrap around side moulding the OBS trucks had? Now it's just on the doors. It's all about saving the company money. Less metal/material used=more $ for the executives' bonuses. Thanks for letting me rant.

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you got that right. its all about money.

I bet the next gen body styles have plastic rear bumpers too! thats like 75 lbs of steel they could save!

Dux-n-Dawgs · December 30, 2006

I've yet to see a forester's truck (as in '99-'07Classic) still have the little 'hanging low plastic bumper piece' ....................... well, actually I know a few, but they just got them in the past 6 months (i.e. not had enough time yet to knock them off

Oh, wait a minute, the Forest Service and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service trucks still have theirs, but you can't do too much to one on a gravel road other than get it dirty.

crtfour · December 30, 2006

I don't think the very latest Silverado's even have exposed metal bumpers. I could be wrong, but aren't they now covered by a full-length plastic cover?

Elwood 2000 · December 30, 2006

1993??

Try a REAL bumper from the 1979 Generation of trucks!

asilverblazer · December 30, 2006

I don't think the very latest Silverado's even have exposed metal bumpers. I could be wrong, but aren't they now covered by a full-length plastic cover?

That depends on model. I like how the OBS looked OK when the air dam was removed, with the lower sections at the ends they look goofy with out it.

rjirvine · December 30, 2006

Check this post out for your gurgling problem:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...23945&hl=gurgle

it looks easy so would be worth a shot...

redvett · December 30, 2006

Because of Federal crash standards are changing to minimize impact between a truck & car bumpers are lower and more forgiving. All MFR's have to comply with these newer standards not just GM. Air dams are installed to reduce drag to improve fuel economy and in many vehicles removing them will cause overheating.

New safety & fuel economy standards are here to stay like them or not.

Trouttrooper · December 30, 2006

Air dams are installed to reduce drag to improve fuel economy and in many vehicles removing them will cause overheating.

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Agree 100% with you. I suspect that pickups wouldn't have an overheat problem though since they still have a decent size grille for the front of the radiator to have a straight shot for air to pass through. My 2000 Impala OTOH pretty much has no grille to expose the radiator. The air dam looks to me like it's the main source of air for the radiator.

zibzer · December 30, 2006

Check this post out for your gurgling problem:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...23945&hl=gurgle

it looks easy so would be worth a shot...

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