so this is on the back of my truck, anyone ever seen something like this before? could it just be a home made creation?

 

These trucks didn't come with rear bumpers. If a truck did have a bumper, it was dealer-installed. Pretty sure that one wasn't on the dealer's option list of rear bumpers.

 

It does wonders for the tag visibility.

 

truck may have had a large camper on it in past....hpme made bumper was extended to accommodate extra length.

 

Your truck was purchased without a bumper because the license plate is mounted on an OEM bumper delete bracket with a tag light. Crawl under there and take a look. I put one on my '70.

The bumper delete tag bracket is available as a repro for about $65. Mine was a JY find for like $5.

Looks like a rottweiler chewed on yer tailgate.

 

My truck originally had a dealer-installed rear bumper on it from the dealership it was purchased from in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, when new. However, it also had the license plate mounting bracket off to the left side. I suppose the people at the dealership just didn't take the bracket off when they installed the rear bumper.

Bracket was still in place even after the dealer bumper had been installed.



The original dealer step bumper met with its demise when the previous owner had the truck. I put a contour bumper on and the license plate bracket is still currently attached behind the contour bumper. The bumper covers the bracket up so that it can't be seen --at least not without looking under the truck.

 

Hey UR, if Ford didn't offer bumpers at the factory, then why did they show bumpers in the parts books? Dad's 72 came with a step bumper ordered and installed at the factory. And a step bumper cost $57.90 in 72.

 

That looks like it was "Farm" installed. I'd just clean it up. No Jap car would dare hit it!!

 

Those were an aftermarket bumper. I knew a friend who had one on a Chevy. Kinda cool because you only had to get close to the trailer and the hitch part could swing side to side and in & out. It seems like you flipped the latch and it centered up and locked there as soon as you drove ahead.
Ford did have a step bumper but IIRC they were dealer installed. Most dealers around here installed the less expensive Farm Power or Laverne step bumpers.

 

Morning UR. It is probably the angle of the photo, but it appears that the back of your cab is a bit lower than the front of the bed?? ie.. are your rear cab mounts ok? Or is is squatting a little.. like I said, it might be the paralex angle of the photo.. not sure if its too early for big words, but I am at work already this am...

Baja

 

It's not an optical delusion . The rear rubber cab mounts are compressed. It's what wrecked the old rag joint due to the bind on it --back of the cab dropped and and front of cab pitched upward.

 

Oh crap, if that word is allowed, now it becomes an optical intrusion, into your life. Hope you can find some replacements, maybe polymer ones, or perhaps, even new ones from Brazil... They must still have lots down there. Has anyone ever heard of an exporter for Ford parts from there?? I am going to try something, and will update on the forum if I find out anything...

Baja

 

Well, if Ultraranger can show us his rear end I don't see why you can't say "crap."

 

Contour or step bumpers could be factory (if the customer ordered it with the truck) or dealer installed.

However, most dealers ordered trucks without a rear bumper, so they could make the money (parts & labor) installing them.

Here's the genuine Ford step bumper used 1969/72, available chrome or painted argent.

 

I stand corrected then.