So is this type of Bumper Trim unobtanium?

[just_some_guy]

Hello, again.

I'm doing some work to my 1985 K5 Blazer Silverado I purchased less than a month ago, and right now I'm trying my darnedest to find the two piece set of black rubber bumper trim/cushions/strips for a type of bumper that came on the 1990 - 1991 Suburban. It's the two-piece black rubber trim w/chrome rubber strip that is split in the middle leaving a gap where the license plate goes. Pretty sure they have been discontinued by GM, and I can't find them on LMC to save my life.

Is there ANY SOURCE out there at all for these things currently?

The original GM parts numbers are:

15571635 - Left Side
15571636 - Right Side

I have a bumper with a set of them on there now, but all the chrome has flaked off leaving the yellowing rubber stuff that really gets on my nerves.

If they are not available anywhere, will some of the other stuff that currently is available fit? Or, can it be modded by trimming out the middle portion?

If push comes to shove I suppose I could just paint over all the rubber (flaking yellowing eyesore and all) with some rattle can black, but if there are new replacement parts out there available - original GM or knockoff - I would rather have them on there if at all possible.

They are part #2 in this diagram:

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I just think these bumpers with the bigger bumper guards look really nice. They almost remind me of the underbite of a bulldog, for some reason. Plus you don't seem to see them as often on the Squarebodies.

I'm sure most of you guys know what I am describing by now, but here's a pic for posterity's sake, anyway.

Thanks in advance for any and all help and tips!

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[bucket]

Just a few things. The bumper rub strips in that diagram are the 80's style. The gold Suburban pictured has aftermarket bumper guards that are 80's styled, but mounted where the black plastic '89-'91 guards would have been. Lastly, try getting a bumper rub strip from an '88-'98 (gmt400) truck and using the chrome strip from it. Iirc, the chrome part just snaps into place.

 

[bucket]

This truck here has the correct setup for an '89-'91:

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You can see the stylists were mimicking the new-for-1988 trucks:

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[bucket]

But it's common to see later trucks with the earlier bumper guards, it was a good look to many. This one has factory guards for an earlier model, mounted where the earlier trucks had them too. Excuse the pallet.

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Imho, mix and match the parts to get the look you are after.

 

[bucket]

Oh yeah, and here's a picture of the 80's style bumper rub strips:

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[just_some_guy]

But it's common to see later trucks with the earlier bumper guards, it was a good look to many. This one has factory guards for an earlier model, mounted where the earlier trucks had them too. Excuse the pallet.

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Imho, mix and match the parts to get the look you are after.

The bumper in this pic looks a lot like the one I have. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same. It came off a 1989 Suburban but I don't know if it was on it originally or not. I will post a pic of it later today when the sun comes out. I am getting ready to polish it up and install the thing - hopefully before the weekend.

I didn't know the pic in post #1 was an aftermarket bumper. I'm kinda new to the Square Body world so please bear with me as I'm sure that won't be the first time I look misinformed. LOL

 

[Camar068]

just an fyi, 'round these parts they call them bumper thingies lol. Keep an eye out in the for sale section.

 

[45tt]

Did you try Classic Industries? It looks like they have reproduction bumper impact strips.

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[just_some_guy]

Did you try Classic Industries? It looks like they have reproduction bumper impact strips.

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No I have not but I will now. Thanks for the heads up. I just searched every single page result on eBay for the search term "K5 Bumper" and found zero impact strips. Several places have the impact strips for the bumper guards, just not for the actual bumper. I don't even care if it has chrome at this point as long as it fits properly. Getting rid of that pale yellow, formerly chrome part on there is goal. I don't care if it's chrome or black as long as the one on there gets gone.

Got the bumper put on today but haven't had a chance to polish off the "patina" (AKA: rust) yet. Busted off a chunk of the grille at the top working under the hood recently so I am ordering a new replacement grille and some chrome light bezels from LMC in the morning.

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[CJ Paul]

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Made an account just to say that those ugly white/yellow strips can be peeled off and leave the black strip. I pulled mine off a few years ago for the same reason. I’ve included beforehand and after pictures of my bumper so you can see.

 

[eskimomann209]

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Made an account just to say that those ugly white/yellow strips can be peeled off and leave the black strip. I pulled mine off a few years ago for the same reason. I’ve included beforehand and after pictures of my bumper so you can see.

Hell of an Entrance sir. Pics, information and on Topic.
What more can we ask for?

 

[teesee150]

Hate to bump an old thread but I'm looking for these as well. The ones from Classic Industries are for 1988+ OBS trucks and I don't believe they're the same.

 

[R Carnella]

I searched for a few months,

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eventually gave up and just got new bumpers with no strips

 

[Mr Stay Puft]

Resurrecting an old thread as I am in the same boat with these strips but was looking for a different solution than just removing them. The strips are removable and appear to be easily reinstalled.

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Does somewhere know of some place these could be sent off to for restoration?

I bought the impact strips from Classic Industries that go on the 88+ OBS hoping I could transplant the trim piece. However, the ones on the Classic Industries ones is adhesive backed and flat. I'd have to cut out the grooves on mine for the flat adhesive strip to fit.

 

[TotalyHucked]

I'm not aware of anyone repopping those. Your choices will likely be either tape off and scuff/paint what you have (maybe the part store chrome spray paint would work for something that small?) or replace the bumpers with full chrome ones with no rub strips