Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) Silverado Bumper Extension

Overview

The Chevrolet Silverado bumper extension-also called a bumper end cap, filler panel, valance, or trim piece-is the small section that bridges the gap between the main steel bumper bar and the truck's fender or grille area. It finishes the look, channels air, and adds a first line of protection for lights, sensors, and paint. On late-model Silverados it even hides air-curtain vents that improve fuel economy. In the guide below you'll learn what it does, which years use which style, how to install or paint one, legal height rules, torque values, common problems, and much more.

What It Does

• Finishes the body line. The extension closes the gap and makes the bumper look like one smooth wrap-around piece.
• Protects edges. It takes parking-lot bumps before your sheet-metal or lamps get hit.
• Guides air. 2019+ models route air through hidden tunnels called air curtains, cutting drag about 7 percent and reducing wind noise (GM Authority).
• Holds tech. Parking sensors and fog-light bezels often snap into the filler panel instead of the bumper beam (GM-Trucks.com).

Fits & Years

• 1999-2006 ("GMT800") - Smooth plastic caps, no aero vents.
• 2007-2013 ("GMT900") - Flared ends; chrome and paintable ABS choices.
• 2014-2018 ("K2XX") - Taller openings for tow hooks; part #84052264 fits 2016-2019 1500 LD crew, double, and regular cabs (GM Parts Giant).
• 2019-Present ("T1XX") - Split-level design with built-in air curtains. Trail Boss and ZR2 trims add cut-outs for steel recovery hooks.

Types & Materials

• Textured black ABS - Common on WT and Custom trims; easy to refinish.
• Smooth paint-to-match PP-TPO - LT, LTZ, RST, and High Country use body color.
• Chrome-plated ABS - Often installed on Chrome Appearance Packages.
• Weight is light-about 0.6 lb for a single outer filler -yet the part is flexible enough to absorb a shopping-cart bump.

Installation Basics

1. Remove the plastic push-pins and 10 mm screws holding the wheel-liner corner.
2. Unclip the step pad or fog-light bezel (one screw hides behind the step pad) (GM-Trucks.com).
3. Pull the old extension straight outward-clips release with steady force.
4. Align the new piece, press until all tabs click, then reinstall screws and liners.
5. Torque any 15 mm bumper bracket bolts to 43 ft-lb (Fox Factory PVD Portal).

Torque Values

• Bumper support brace bolts - 43 ft-lb
• Inner filler screws - 16 ft-lb
• Front tow-hook bolts (if you remove hooks to swap the extension) - 74 ft-lb
• Common suspension points exposed while the bumper is off (upper strut, ball-joint, sway bar) range 26-85 ft-lb (GM-Trucks.com). Always tighten bolts on the ground to avoid drivetrain bind.

Aero & MPG

• Air-curtain vents in the bumper extension steer airflow around the front wheels instead of letting it crash into the tire face (GM Authority).
• Owners who remove the lower air dam but keep the end caps report ½-2 mpg drop on highway speeds (GM-Trucks.com) (Reddit).
• Forum tests show that deleting both the dam and the aero vents can raise drag, noise, and stone spray on rocker panels (GM-Trucks.com).

Laws & Safety

• Federal rule 49 CFR 581 sets bumper protection between 16 and 20 inches for passenger cars but does not apply to pickups, so Silverado extensions mainly follow styling and airflow needs (NHTSA) (Superbumper).
• Some states cap bumper height (or frame height) at 28-30 inches; lifted trucks must add drop brackets or lower valances to stay legal (Local News 8).
• In crashes under 5 mph, the extension is sacrificial-cheap to replace compared with fenders or headlamps (Superbumper).

Off-Road Uses

• Steel aftermarket bumpers often retain small plastic end caps to keep air-curtain function and meet parking-sensor angles (hammerheadarmor.com).
• Removing the factory filler panel provides room for winch fair-leads or high-clearance approach angles, but expect dirt to enter the fog-light cavity.

Care Tips

• Wash with pH-neutral soap; avoid petroleum dressings that can fade ABS plastic.
• For scratches, wet-sand with 1500-grit, clean, and spray with flexible bumper paint.
• Inspect clip tabs every oil change-loose ends can whistle at speed or vibrate against the fender.

Fixing Problems

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Paint & Style

• Prime bare ABS with flexible-plastic primer; follow with base-coat/clear-coat in your WA** code** (found on Silverado glove-box sticker).
• Chrome versions can be sanded with red Scotch-Brite and sprayed satin black for an RST-style monochrome look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2018 extension fit a 2021 truck?
A: No. 2014-18 (K2) and 2019-up (T1) bumpers have different shapes and mounting slots. Choose the panel made for your model year range (GM Parts Giant).

Q: Can I keep my parking sensors?
A: Yes. Sensor bezels pop out of the old filler and click into the new one-just match the holes before ordering (GM-Trucks.com).

Q: Does removing the lower air dam hurt MPG if the bumper extensions stay on?
A: Real-world reports show about 0.5-1 mpg loss at 70 mph, mainly highway (GM-Trucks.com).

Q: What torque for the filler screws?
A: Small 10 mm screws need around 16 ft-lb; the larger 15 mm bumper bolts take 43 ft-lb (Fox Factory PVD Portal).

Q: Are bumper extensions required by law?
A: No, but some states use them in ride-height measurements; deleting them can raise the measured bumper point and make a lifted truck illegal (Local News 8).

Q: Do air-curtain vents clog with snow or mud?
A: They can, but GM designed internal drains; a quick blast with a garden hose clears debris (GM Authority).

Q: Why does my extension keep falling off after a light hit?
A: The hidden metal bracket may be bent; straighten it and replace any lost plastic speed-nuts (GM-Trucks.com).

Q: Can I wrap or vinyl-dip the panel?
A: Yes. Clean with isopropyl alcohol, apply primer-less wrap film, and tuck edges under the bumper lip for a seamless look.

Glossary

• Bumper Extension / End Cap - Small plastic add-on that finishes the bumper edge.
• Air Curtain - Vent in the extension that directs air around the front wheels to cut drag (GM Authority).
• Valance - Lower lip or deflector attached under the bumper.
• Step Pad - Textured insert above the rear bumper corner step.
• Tow-Hook Bezel - Molded opening in off-road extensions for recovery hooks .