dealer installed? pic

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Jun 27, 2012 | 08:53 PM

Schuyles

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,130

Likes: 3

From: Hendersonville, TN

dealer installed? pic

I was just wondering if anyone has seen a setup like this on these trucks before. The angle iron and the rear bumper. I just figured a previous owner had welded it on there, but recently saw a picture of one that looked identical. What do you think?

Jun 27, 2012 | 09:12 PM

38 coupe

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 2,927

Likes: 135

From: Houston

That looks home made to me. There were after market bumpers available that had very similar design, but a more sophisticated look. Your rear fender looks like it was never hit, probably due to that bumper.

Jun 27, 2012 | 09:14 PM

51PanelMan

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,669

Likes: 13

From: San Jose, CA

Yup. It's farmer-made. It was common to brace the rear of the bedsides to prevent them from being spread out with use.

Jun 27, 2012 | 09:19 PM

Schuyles

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,130

Likes: 3

From: Hendersonville, TN

Thanks guys, I'm with you, I think it's homebuilt. Like you said though, looks like it did it's job!

Now I don't feel bad about cutting it off...

Jun 27, 2012 | 10:19 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,294

Likes: 1,055

From: NM

Usually added when running without a tailgate. The tailgate is about all that keeps the bedsides from flapping back and forth.

Jun 27, 2012 | 10:27 PM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

Likes: 785

From: Simi Valley, CA

All rear bumpers were optional...thru...at least thru 1979. People that didn't opt for factory or dealer installed bumpers went to junkyards, bought something from whatever, then made it fit, or built home made rear bumpers.

Jun 27, 2012 | 10:49 PM

52 Merc

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 16,173

Likes: 4,781

From: Burbank, WA

Yup. The only thing that holds the bedsides up is about a half a dozen spot welds where the back corner stake pockets join the rear bed sill. When those get weak and break from vibration or rust, the weight of the fenders pull the bed sides over. Those 'fancy' braces hold everything back up so the tailgate will latch.

I learned that one the hard way back when I was 15 on my first F1, cutting the ugly braces off with a hacksaw, never having a clue how much pressure they were under. It about popped me in the face when it cut loose.