I'm about to order a new front and rear bumper cover for my 74.

Many good comments about Ecklers Flex-fit, but is that really the same product as other vendor's Tru-Flex; or is there really a difference????

Are they just name brand variations, or is there a difference?

Tnx

 

Bill,

I ordered a flex fit for the rear of my 74 last year from Ecklers. The flex fit is basically a fiberglass bumper with some type of flex agent blended with it, making it more flexible than plain fiberglass. There are a few manufacturers that offer two piece bumpers, but I beleive that Eckler's is the only one that I have seen with the flex fit.

The Trueflex is definitely more flexible and in my opinion feels more like the original bumper when you press against it. However, I have not seen a True Flex bumper for a 74 in a true two piece design. The Trueflex has a groove molded into to it, to simulate the two piece design, but it is actually a solid one piece bumper.

If you are going for an original look, I would recommend the Ecklers bumper.

 

flex fit bumpers are made by toledo fiberglass and also by ACI, both happen to be in Ohio, and i believe eckler's is selling the ACI brand.

 

Bill, I sold my '73/'74 Front Eckler's FlexFit to someone here on the forum. I made the mistake of prepping it and having it painted first, then tried to mount it on my car. Loosely holding it up to the car after I removed the original(ran tight on time, car & bumpers had to get to the paint shop BEFORE I had time to remove the front)and saw on the passenger side on the vertical seam in front of the marker light I had about a 1/2" gap I knew I could'nt possibly "make up" by tightening with bolts fiberglass to fiberglass. Tried carefully messing with it for over an hour when I just said screw it :mad . I then purchased the $579 '73/'74 GM Restoration Parts Urethane bumper that was an absolute exact match in every detail to the one I took off EXCEPT the new GM Resto Parts bumper DID NOT have the "Inland" brand name and GM part # molded into it. Now, I understand how GM got these "hand jigged fitted" body panels to come out decent. This urethane is so movable and so pliable where I had the 1/2" gap with the FlexFit, this urethane front fit BETTER than the original only because this time it was'nt being hastily installed on an assembly line. :yesnod: It will be painted next Spring-too late now to have done. The rear Eckler's two piece is I believe the only "correct looking" two piece with the "correct contoured" split. Mine installed great and came out great. Actually, it looks NICER than the original one ever did. I also learned one other thing, I know it's a little more work, but if you drop your gas tank, it gives so much more easier access to all the retaining nuts than you'd ever believe. Since my '74 is a 41,000mi "clean" car(no winters), I did'nt snap one retaining stud on the front OR rear. I stll soaked them down with PB Blaster a few times before removal. Another thing I know, the '74 rear installs much, much easier than '75-'79 rears. Trust me I know :lolg:
Man, this is the longest response I think I ever typed-mi finger r gettn tird :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:


[Modified by Paul Borowski, 7:19 AM 12/2/2003]

 

Thanks for responses guys! Very helpful!

 

Bill, I thought I might add a piece of info you might find useful. The OEM retainer strips will not work with the fiberglass front bumper, you will need to get some "T" style fasteners. The OEM retainers will probably work allright with the rear bumper, but I used T fasteners there as well.