I'm trying to find a replacement bumper for my '76 F-100 but can't find the exact one that is on my truck (definitley the factory bumper). I have found the incorrect 1976 bumper in *** Truck catalog, JC Whitney, and a local aftermarket parts store. My bumper has black rubber strips that run on the leading edge of the bumper on both sides of the vertical bumper bars/pads. To take these pads off of my current bumper and put them on the new bumper, I will have to remove screws out of the back of the bumper (about 7 on each side)...The only bumper that I have found in a catalog that comes close to what I have is the 78-79 bumper with the required holes. I have seen a post that says "a '79 bumper looks weird on a '76", and I'm wondering what the difference is? The 76, and 78-79 look the same in the catalog...any help would be great...thanks!

 

the bumper with the strips is the same as a regular bumper. you just need to drill holes for the strips. the earlier bumpers do not have a flat area where the strips bolt on and the strips have a depression in the back so they fit the crest of the bumper while the later bumpers have a flat area and the rubber for the later bumpers is flat on the back to match. you can not put early strips on a late bumper or put late strips on an early bumper. hawkrod

 

So basically I need to drill holes in a '76 bumper for this to work...right? I just can't figure out why the bumper isn't offered....

 

the bumper is not offered because most people do not have the strips and the ones that are out there are usually pretty chewed up. since they are the same bumper the manufacturers figure you can drill your own holes if you want them. the later bumpers with rubber are much more common so replacements are offered. hawkrod