I am diong a budget resto on my 79 F250 and want a chrome rear step bumper. I keep finding used ones from the 80's or 90's but wonder if they are a direct fit? Some website I've found list all years from the 70's to 90's with the same part number. I don't want to fabricate it.

If you have personal knowledge, please let me know

Thanks in advance

 

I think what you will find if you dig a little deeper is that most aftermarket rear step bumpers will fit most years (as well as most makes) because it is the mounting kit that changes. In my experience, the better bumper manufacturer's all allow (usually require) you to purchase the mount kit separately. I know Luverne and Fey are like that. I am not sure if the frame width is the same on the late '70's to the '80-90's, but a sure fire way to tell is to see if they have the same part number for a receiver hitch. Naturally, another good way to tell is to measure them...

 

Sorry, an OEM bumper will NOT fit. I measured up my 87 chrome bumper to see it it would fit on my 79. The outer corners of the newer bumper will hit the body on the older trucks (where the bumper curves a wee bit around the outside). The olders bodies are 1.5-2" wider than the newer ones.

 

It really depends on the bumper.

The OEM Chrome straight rear bumper fitted 1973-1986 for instance.

Aftermarket bumpers on the 1980-1996's should interchange fine with the 1973-1979. Measure to be sure however.

But as stated above by Loudfords, 1973-1979 OEM Bumpers will fit 1980-1996, but usually not the other way around for the reasons stated.