Bumpers
 

I want to purchase new US made stainless steel bumpers. Is there more than one manufacturer of these things leading to a difference in quality from one retailer to another?
I want the biggest bang for my buck.

Re: Bumpers
 

Call Tom Jordan at Snyders. He will honestly tell you if their bumpers are made from non-magnetic stainless (300 Series) or magnetic (400 Series.)

400 Series SS will rust over time. Cheaper is not necessarily better.

Re: Bumpers
 

The bumper I bought from Little Dearborn is top quality, & looks great.

Re: Bumpers
 

Re: Bumpers
 

Carl Is it stainless or chrome? I just talked to them and they no longer handle the stainless bumper.

Re: Bumpers
 

new US made stainless steel bumpers
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I still see S/S bumpers in all the major catalogs - not sure if they are all "Made in USA", which seems to be a point in your query.

Re: Bumpers
 

The one I bought from Little Dearborn is magnetic, so it must be chrome plated.

Re: Bumpers
 

Since you mentioned "bang" in your post I thought I would mention that the stainless bumpers are not as strong as the originals in case somebody "bangs" into your car. Unfortunately this probable applies to most of the regular steel reproduction bumpers. If you want a bumper that will protect your car from getting "banged" look for an original and have it chromed.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Bumpers
 

Re: Bumpers
 

Charlie brings up a good point. Original bumpers were made from spring steel so as not to bend during a minor mishap.

S/S does not have the temper or strength as ferrous steel but they are easier to maintain.

Re: Bumpers
 

Not necessarily! 400 series can be mildly magnetic also. For total non-magnetic, you would need i8/8, 300 series (302, 304, 308, 316 etc) Also chrome has a blueish cast, while stainless has a yellowish cast.
Terry

Re: Bumpers
 

Stainless steel bumpers? Are there reproduction stainless types being sold? Always knew the bumpers of 1928-29 & 1930-31 Ford A Models to be nickel or chrome plated steel. Then again . . . there probably is Asian made stuff of various materials.

Re: Bumpers
 

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I don't know where they were made, but I bought a front bumper set from Mac's 10 years ago and they have held up great and still look like new. I have not "tested" them-and hope I don't need to in the future.

Re: Bumpers
 

Little Dearborn makes their chrome plated bumpers in Minnesota. I went on a shop tour that plates them in St Paul about 5 or 6 years ago. I guess they could have changed where they are made, but I don't think so. They are steel, not SS and nickel plated first then chrome plated. I am not sure if the steel the bumpers are made from is spring steel or not, but I suspect it is.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Bumpers
 

Originally all bumpers were chrome plated, none were nickel.

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A lot has been said of the SS bumpers are not as springy as chromed steel bumpers like the originals, but I would venture to say none of the chromed steel repo bumpers are spring steel either.

Re: Bumpers
 

My thought on this question is if you are going to hit something would you rather have a bent bumper or a bent frame? Something has to absorb energy and bend.

The reproduction brackets that I am aware of are also mild steel, or 300 series stainless for rodders.