Color code rear step bumper

[elbpony]

Hi fellows,

I need to pick some brains, please.
My 74 has a white step bumper in the back. It needs some work and thus new paint.
I can´t find a color code for it, the only thing I find is Y43 which I believe to be an option code, not the paint.
My glove box only has one sticker, something about a recommended camper topic. Not much to read these days, all worn out by the years.
Now, the truck is dark catalina blue, the sticker tells me, any one an idea where to find color codes for the white? I don´t want to have it different to the front and the are I need to repaint is easy and small. No need to fix the whole bumber - but that needs a matching color.

Thanks for ideas and hints

 

[Keith Seymore]

RPO V43 is for rear step bumper.

No color is specified (my recollection is that factory painted step bumpers were argent silver). The recipe for the white used for wheels and front bumper was not documented. Others may be able to comment on what has worked well for them.

Because the base condition was "no rear bumper" and because of the proliferation of aftermarket rear bumpers to fill the void the whole rear bumper scenario is kind of a wild wild West situation.

I think you are on your own with trying to match what you have to do a spot touch up.

K

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[xm20k]

Argent silver for rear step and steel rally wheels, I think for the painted front bumper and white steel wheels 521 white is the code for 74.

 

[Grit dog]

From an appearance standpoint, I think white painted bumpers front and rear look great on old 70s squares although I think original was argent for the rear even if the front was factory white. Or likely no rear bumper off the assy line as a low optioned model.
Whatever you decide, I’d reccomend if repainting white to use an antique white. Any bright white I feel will be too “white”.

 

[elbpony]

From an appearance standpoint, I think white painted bumpers front and rear look great on old 70s squares although I think original was argent for the rear even if the front was factory white. Or likely no rear bumper off the assy line as a low optioned model.
Whatever you decide, I’d reccomend if repainting white to use an antique white. Any bright white I feel will be too “white”.

ja, no bright snow white. That would be odd I agree.

521, thanks for the hint. I´ll see what I can dig out what this color would be in todays world.

 

[elbpony]

amazing, the color in the exact code 521 is available. I hope it is the right or I´ll have to paint the whole bumper to keep it decent. may be I have to anyway as there sure enough is aging to compensate

 

[Grit dog]

As white is one of the hardest colors to match you may be better off just painting the bumper. Very helpful info from the gentleman that found the color code, but the chance that an aftermarket bumper painted when and who knows where being the same is realistically pretty slim imo.
Looking closely at the pic of your truck, first, nice truck! Second, the bumper, if not a GM original bumper appears to be an exact replica of the GM step bumpers used for the entire model line up from start to end.
That said, it also looks like it could just use to be repainted and probably new seam sealer around the top tread. Looks like evidence of minor rusting and streaks running down from where the tread is sealed to the bumper face piece. And whatever shade it “was” it probably isn’t now.
Furthermore it could probably use to be removed and deal with the surface rust on the backside if it isn’t still clean paint on the inside surface.
Bottom line, removal is simple. Prep is simple and it will look way better with fresh paint, even if it’s a spray can paint job.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Some dealers ordered trucks without a rear bumper and radio. Add aftermarket radio and bumper, then price point lower than the neighboring dealers. Any one price shopping would buy the the base model from them.

 

[CalSgt]

If it’s that important to you take it to a professional paint store, many of them can scan the color and mix you a pint of paint.

 

[elbpony]

As white is one of the hardest colors to match you may be better off just painting the bumper. Very helpful info from the gentleman that found the color code, but the chance that an aftermarket bumper painted when and who knows where being the same is realistically pretty slim imo.
Looking closely at the pic of your truck, first, nice truck! Second, the bumper, if not a GM original bumper appears to be an exact replica of the GM step bumpers used for the entire model line up from start to end.
That said, it also looks like it could just use to be repainted and probably new seam sealer around the top tread. Looks like evidence of minor rusting and streaks running down from where the tread is sealed to the bumper face piece. And whatever shade it “was” it probably isn’t now.
Furthermore it could probably use to be removed and deal with the surface rust on the backside if it isn’t still clean paint on the inside surface.
Bottom line, removal is simple. Prep is simple and it will look way better with fresh paint, even if it’s a spray can paint job.

Well, the truck came OEM with painter step bumper on the rear. That is original

For the rest i already thought that a full paint job might still be better all in all. Can you tell some details on the seam sealer? Pretty worn of at my bumper and worth being newly done

 

[Keith Seymore]

Well, the truck came OEM with painter step bumper on the rear. That is original

Deeper discussion:

Not to be a pedant, but - I don't think we know that for sure.

We do know base equipment is "no rear bumper". You stated you don't have the SPID label (in the glovebox) so you can't verify your truck came with RPO V43 added.

You also can't order the original invoice from the GM Heritage Center archive because they are not available until starting in 1976.

So your only hope of knowing for sure would be -1- if you find an assembly plant build sheet in the truck somewhere (under the seat, under the instrument panel pad, under the carpet, above the headliner (if it has one) or behind the A pillar trim (if it has a headliner), or -2- if your truck was either built in Canada (Oshawa assembly) or built in the US for Canadian consumption. In that case the build information would be available through GM of Canada.

Not a big deal, but I at least wanted to get these points out there as sort of a sidebar.

K

Link to generic info packet from the GM Heritage Center archive, in case you don't already have it and for future reference:==> https://www.gm.com/content/dam/comp...its/chevrolet-trucks/1974-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[elbpony]

I have the contract in front of me, dating 1974 between 1st owner and dealer. It says step bumper.
There is also the sticker on the driver side inner fender and that states v43.
it has the bumper installed, also pictures from the late 90s I have.
Is there still room for doubt? Of course it could have been ordered with it, built w/o and then put on afterwards, but that is not too realistic, is it?

I find it weird, that the option painted rear bumper comes in silver whereas the front can be white. If I were factory or dealership, that rear bumper would be of the same color as the front.

 

[idahovette]

I worked at a Chev/Cad dealership from July 1968 to September 1980. We sold a ton of pickups thru those years and I would bet that 95% came without rear bumpers. Our parts department had 3 or 4 outlets for bumpers......and they came in different shades of white or gray/silver.

 

[Grit dog]

Well, the truck came OEM with painter step bumper on the rear. That is original

For the rest i already thought that a full paint job might still be better all in all. Can you tell some details on the seam sealer? Pretty worn of at my bumper and worth being newly done

There are many brands and it’s commonly used in most vehicles, somewhere. 3M, AC Delco, Dynatron, Sika, Summit and Eastwood also have it branded in their name.
It’s urethane caulking. And it’s paintable.

 

[Keith Seymore]

I have the contract in front of me, dating 1974 between 1st owner and dealer. It says step bumper.
There is also the sticker on the driver side inner fender and that states v43.
it has the bumper installed, also pictures from the late 90s I have.
Is there still room for doubt? Of course it could have been ordered with it, built w/o and then put on afterwards, but that is not too realistic, is it?

I find it weird, that the option painted rear bumper comes in silver whereas the front can be white. If I were factory or dealership, that rear bumper would be of the same color as the front.

Ah. So you DO have the SPID and it shows V43.

Yes - that proves it conclusively.

The dealer form is cool to have, too.

K