Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not??
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Re: Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not?? (Vettesic)
I wanted the cheapest way out so I went two different routes with my '75. For the front I used a Fiberglass bumper. $250 from Orange Coast. The fit is 100% dead on PERFECT with absolutely no modifications. Couldn't be more happy.
For the rear I went with a True-Flex also from OC. Total nightmare to install. Had to remove the internal rubber bumper pads (luckily they unbolt) and some block I believe behind the license plate in order for it to meet up with the body. The steel bumper had to be adjusted big time. Many people have to remove the internal tail light mounts...with a little forcing I was able to keep mine. After an entire day of tweeking I was able to get an acceptable fit. Perfect along the top and the sides towards the bottom vary up to about 1/8".
Personally I don't think True-Flex used an original GM mold. More like they made them from scratch and instead of using a perfect specimen car they picked some inbred hilljacks shark that was in a major rear end collision at one time. How else do you explain having to remove 1" worth of safety features?
If I had to do the rear over again I'd probably try fiberglass. Not so much because of the fit but for the fact I don't like having a bunch of extra parts left over after doing a job.
George
For the rear I went with a True-Flex also from OC. Total nightmare to install. Had to remove the internal rubber bumper pads (luckily they unbolt) and some block I believe behind the license plate in order for it to meet up with the body. The steel bumper had to be adjusted big time. Many people have to remove the internal tail light mounts...with a little forcing I was able to keep mine. After an entire day of tweeking I was able to get an acceptable fit. Perfect along the top and the sides towards the bottom vary up to about 1/8".
Personally I don't think True-Flex used an original GM mold. More like they made them from scratch and instead of using a perfect specimen car they picked some inbred hilljacks shark that was in a major rear end collision at one time. How else do you explain having to remove 1" worth of safety features?
If I had to do the rear over again I'd probably try fiberglass. Not so much because of the fit but for the fact I don't like having a bunch of extra parts left over after doing a job.
George
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not?? (vairxpert)
George,
It seems that most complaints with the Tru-Flex products are with the rear bumpers. At least that's the case with most of the people I spoke with. Hope that does't happen too me!! I have Toledo Pro's tel. number, (the company that manuacturers Tru-Flex.) 1-800-762-8308. I will ask them about removeing parts to make their bumpers fit and how they arrive at the actual bumper size. Thanks, L8TER, Paul.
It seems that most complaints with the Tru-Flex products are with the rear bumpers. At least that's the case with most of the people I spoke with. Hope that does't happen too me!! I have Toledo Pro's tel. number, (the company that manuacturers Tru-Flex.) 1-800-762-8308. I will ask them about removeing parts to make their bumpers fit and how they arrive at the actual bumper size. Thanks, L8TER, Paul.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not?? (Vettesic)
OK Guys,
Got too much negative feedback on the rear Tru-flex bumpers, even when I called Toledo Pro, they couldn't give me an exact answer. I decieded to go with the Eckler's version called the Flex-fit. They claim it's made from original GM tooling plus I got a 10% resto-member price :D I also ordered the recommended fasteners. Let you'all know how they fit in about 10 days. L8TER, Paul.
Got too much negative feedback on the rear Tru-flex bumpers, even when I called Toledo Pro, they couldn't give me an exact answer. I decieded to go with the Eckler's version called the Flex-fit. They claim it's made from original GM tooling plus I got a 10% resto-member price :D I also ordered the recommended fasteners. Let you'all know how they fit in about 10 days. L8TER, Paul.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,460
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not?? (Vettesic)
I installed both front and rear TrueFlex bumpers on my "driver?" 1975. As others have said the front was'nt too bad to do, had to "sawzall" the upper vertical "teeth" of the "honeycomb" stuff. The rear I probably spent easily over 30hrs just "fitting" it to the car. Had to do many modifications similar to what the others have stated on what they had to do to '75 rears. Overall, they came out good, not great, but if and when I need them for my '74 and '80, I doubt I'd go with the TrueFlex again. :nono:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not?? (Paul Borowski)
OK Paul,
We learn from our mistakes and fortunatly due to this Forum we can all learn from each others, which benefits us all!! L8TER Paul.
We learn from our mistakes and fortunatly due to this Forum we can all learn from each others, which benefits us all!! L8TER Paul.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley Heights New Jersey
Re: Tru-Flex Bumpers or Not?? (Vettesic)
I thought I had done enough research and questioning on this forum to satisfy myself that Tru Flex Bumpers are a good choice. I did not care about paying a few more $$ for all fiberglass from Eckler's but it seemed the consenses was to go with the Tru Flex. Well anyway, mine are to be delivered tomorrow from the plant. I purchased them from Riks in the Carlolina's. At the time way back on 8/7 the salesperson informed me that there was a 3 to 4 week wait for '75 front and rear bumpers. So if anyone is told this, believe it!!. :yesnod: :yesnod:
I will keep everyone abreast of my progress of installation.
I have to temporary install them so I can drive the car to various body shops for paint job estimates.
I will keep everyone abreast of my progress of installation.
I have to temporary install them so I can drive the car to various body shops for paint job estimates.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1974 rear urethane bumper NOS or OEM
I am in desparate search for a 1974 Rear Urethane Bumper NOS or OEM--If u or anyone out there knows the whereabouts of such please advise ASAP--I am the original owner of this full option roadster & odometer reads 19k--I want to restore this car to its original factory condition with a frame off restoration in lieu of hoping this to be Bloomington, Gold--Do NOT want plastic rear bumper--I am fortunate to have had the foresight to save a preponderance of the parts i.e.--Original tires came off the truck on delivery & have taken care of them over the years & show zero degrees of dry rot--These are Good Year Steel Guards--I can go on & on however, I will not undergo this insanely cost effective project unless I can locate an exact or almost exact urethane rear bumper--Therefore,in the event anyone has knowledge of this bumper, LMK ASAP--Ron Kaufman --Office 770 888 0447 --Cell 714 803 8353--Appreciate everyones & anyones assistance on this--Good Luck & may "The Force be with u"!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 3
I replyed to your PM and I wish you luck with your search. I was told a few years back that there just wasn't any available. To my knowledge Ecklers true split Flex is as close as your going to get, sorry to say. If there's any consolation they look much better when done then a Urethane would. You could try a scrap yard to find the best one you could find and have it repaired. My rear was repaired a couple of years before I bought my 74, but it started to crack again just about right away. Since it seems your going for an NCRS car it would be interesting if any points would be taken off for using a Flex bumper. Just wondering if there's any NCRS judges out there who would like to respond because I would be interested also? If points are deducted then I would say there will never be a perfect 74 anymore since no rears bumpers will ever be avaliable.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Tru Flex
Tru Flex front and back on my 76, happy with them.
Ok no commission from Tru Flex for me, but here is my 2 cents worth, GM turned out quite a few C3's, the people's car. And the variation in the Corvette's fit and quality is known to be a lot, check the AIM.
If you are Tru Flex, you do not have a half dozen molds for the same product, one on the plus side of the tolerance, another one on the minus side of the tolerance, you split the difference or make your product to the average and sell it at hopefully a reasonable price. So, IMHO, our Corvettes actually varied this much. TruFlex has a tolerance too, it would be interesting to ask TruFlex what their tolerance is and what their target dimensions are.
Ok no commission from Tru Flex for me, but here is my 2 cents worth, GM turned out quite a few C3's, the people's car. And the variation in the Corvette's fit and quality is known to be a lot, check the AIM.
If you are Tru Flex, you do not have a half dozen molds for the same product, one on the plus side of the tolerance, another one on the minus side of the tolerance, you split the difference or make your product to the average and sell it at hopefully a reasonable price. So, IMHO, our Corvettes actually varied this much. TruFlex has a tolerance too, it would be interesting to ask TruFlex what their tolerance is and what their target dimensions are.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Revere Massachusetts
Well,
Gave up today on stripping my front urathene bumper. Aside from it being wavey and prior repair work on it. I decieded to replace both front and rear bumpers. (Rear is as bad as the front.) Not sure I want to buy a set of 21 year old used bumpers from the local vette shop. New GM urathenes are out of site at 500.00 plus per. Vette gets new paint next week so it's kind of a priority at this point. So I'm thinkin about the so called Tru-Flex aftermarkets. Any input on this or experience with these replacements would be useful!! Thanks guys, L8TER, Paul.
Gave up today on stripping my front urathene bumper. Aside from it being wavey and prior repair work on it. I decieded to replace both front and rear bumpers. (Rear is as bad as the front.) Not sure I want to buy a set of 21 year old used bumpers from the local vette shop. New GM urathenes are out of site at 500.00 plus per. Vette gets new paint next week so it's kind of a priority at this point. So I'm thinkin about the so called Tru-Flex aftermarkets. Any input on this or experience with these replacements would be useful!! Thanks guys, L8TER, Paul.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
You should really post this over on the NCRS board. They would be able to tell you how many points would be deducted for originality, fit, etc.
In my opinion, the original urethane has just reached a point where the flexure agent in the material has reached an age where it no longer works. My 1975 vert lived a sheltered, covered, life here in Michigan, with only 20,000 miles on the odo. Both the front and rear bumper covers started to crack in multiple areas about the same time. So it wasn't excessive heat or exposure to sunlight that caused them to start self destructing on my car.
Unless the bumper covers were molded recently from new urethane material, I would guess that even if you could find New Old Stock from the 1970s, you would most likely find that they already started to crack in the original box or would be ready to self destruct shortly after you were to install them.
Jim
In my opinion, the original urethane has just reached a point where the flexure agent in the material has reached an age where it no longer works. My 1975 vert lived a sheltered, covered, life here in Michigan, with only 20,000 miles on the odo. Both the front and rear bumper covers started to crack in multiple areas about the same time. So it wasn't excessive heat or exposure to sunlight that caused them to start self destructing on my car.
Unless the bumper covers were molded recently from new urethane material, I would guess that even if you could find New Old Stock from the 1970s, you would most likely find that they already started to crack in the original box or would be ready to self destruct shortly after you were to install them.
Jim
