How to determine which front bumper brackets?

[jess t]

Pretty sure my front bumper/grille/fenders/and hood have been changed, most likely due to FE collision. Trying to determine if it has 88-93 or 94-98 bumper brackets. Knowing this will help me know what I need to buy. Is there part numbers on the brackets that will identify which I have? Would the way the bumper fits show this? TIA, jess

 

[b454rat]

Didn’t know there was a difference in brackets….

 

[fancyTBI]

88-93 brackets are slightly shorter than the 94+. I haven’t seen anything stamped on the brackets I’ve had.

 

[someotherguy]

Just the middle two brackets of the four are slightly longer for 94-up due to difference in grille and filler strip design. If you have a 94-up grille where it has tabs that lock into the filler strip underneath, get the 94-up brackets. The outer two brackets that attach to the corners of the bumper are the same for all gmt400 years.

Richard

 

[jess t]

middle two brackets of the four are slightly longer for 94-up due to difference in grille and filler strip design

Good to know (thought there was a difference), now is there any way to determine which I now have? TIA jess in ky

 

[someotherguy]

Good to know (thought there was a difference), now is there any way to determine which I now have? TIA jess in ky

Yes. Re-read my previous reply.. if your grille/filler strip and bumper fit correctly with each other, then you can tell which brackets you had based on which grille you have.

Richard

 

[jess t]

middle two brackets of the four are slightly longer for 94-up due to difference in grille and filler strip design. If you have a 94-up grille where it has tabs that lock into the filler strip underneath, get the 94-up brackets.

I have the 92 style grille and a gap between the lower filler panel and the back of the bumper. Is this gap normal for a 92 or has someone put a bumper on with the 94 up inner brackets? As always, TIA for any and all help. jess in ky

 

[someotherguy]

Normal gap. There's some adjustability in the brackets as the holes are slotted, but not a lot. You don't want the filler strip mashed up against the bumper as it will rub the paint off.

If you had 94-up middle brackets on there the gap would be greater with the 88-93 filler strip.

Richard

 

[jess t]

Thank you

 

[A97obs]

Normal gap. There's some adjustability in the brackets as the holes are slotted, but not a lot. You don't want the filler strip mashed up against the bumper as it will rub the paint off.

If you had 94-up middle brackets on there the gap would be greater with the 88-93 filler strip.

Richard

So if I’m understanding this right if someone wants to run a 90’ grill on a 94-98 Chevy front
We source all 3 bumper fillers middle and ends from a 88-93
Or we can keep our 94-98 bumper fillers and just swap the middle bumper brackets to essentially pull the bumper closer to the core to close the gap ?