Looking for a paintable front bumper?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 878
Likes: 3
From: british columbia, canada
Looking for a paintable front bumper?
So I have this 79f3504x4 that has just about every chrome part except for the cab belt molding.I,m thinking of blacking out all the trim including bumpers and tailgate trim pieces, grill shell. Having trouble finding a front bumper though. I am wondering if the 79 f250 4x4 bumper uses the same spaced mounting holes. I,m pretty sure it does, just don,t want to order one until I can verify. Lmc only lists for the f250. Here,s what I,m starting with. Most of you will think I,m crazy. But I first laid eyes on a dentside back in !973 when dad brought home a brand new 73 f250 4x4. I,m just getting bored with all chrome, your thoughts are most welcome.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
Well, I'll tell ya....I wouldn't trust LMC for a repro bumper. The PO of my buggy had one, a rear, and it's flimsy as all get out.
I have an original front bumper on my '79 that the chrome was pitted, rusty and falling off. I just took a grinder to it with 50 grit and got it down to bare metal. Coupla three coats of primer, sanded down between each coat and shot it with Rustoleum - spray gun not a rattle can. I like it.
Total cost was.....nothing... as I had all the stuff laying around for some time. Maybe cost was ~ $30 for a quart can of Rustoleum but I don't remember what the primer and lacquer thinner cost.
There's an option for you......I'll throw a picture up if you want.
.......I can't believe you're bored with all that chrome, though. Why not take off the mouldings, fill in the holes and sell 'em cheap to another FTE member who would want 'em?
I have an original front bumper on my '79 that the chrome was pitted, rusty and falling off. I just took a grinder to it with 50 grit and got it down to bare metal. Coupla three coats of primer, sanded down between each coat and shot it with Rustoleum - spray gun not a rattle can. I like it.
Total cost was.....nothing... as I had all the stuff laying around for some time. Maybe cost was ~ $30 for a quart can of Rustoleum but I don't remember what the primer and lacquer thinner cost.
There's an option for you......I'll throw a picture up if you want.
.......I can't believe you're bored with all that chrome, though. Why not take off the mouldings, fill in the holes and sell 'em cheap to another FTE member who would want 'em?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
Some smart fella oughta be able to sell that pretty chrome at a very nice profit over buying some crappy-finished stuff fit only to be painted over... and it would save the nice parts to be USED instead of butchering some expensive plating. Just sayin'... that's like gluing beer cans all over a Ferrari Daytona and making it an art car.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Twin Cities
Every time someone blacks out the trim on a clean truck, baby seals get clubbed.
Seriously though, please refrain, this makes me sad. I love your truck as it sits.
F250 and F350 front bumpers should interchange though if you must...
Seriously though, please refrain, this makes me sad. I love your truck as it sits.
F250 and F350 front bumpers should interchange though if you must...
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
As original: 1978 F100/350 & Bronco from serial number AG0,001 & 1979 F100/350 & Bronco use the same front bumpers:
D8TZ-17757-A .. Chrome Front Bumper-Use without horizontal bumper pads (see pic in post #1) / Obsolete ~ 17 available NOS
D8TZ-17757-B .. Chrome Front Bumper-Use with horizontal bumper pads / Obsolete
D8TZ-17757-C .. Painted Low Gloss Black Front Bumper-Use without horizontal bumper pads / Obsolete
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 171
Likes: 2
From: Bellingham, Washington
Completely off topic but, did you go look at that Crew Cab yet? If not lemme know where it is! haha
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 878
Likes: 3
From: british columbia, canada
No I haven,t . It is sitting in a field in Merrit, BC. When I go by in my big truck, I can,t stop anywhere.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
In general, with a chrome bumper, start by thorough wash, then de-grease with wax and grease remover, then scuff with sandpaper thoroughly.
Shoot it with epoxy primer then paint. You can apply a surfacing primer after the epoxy and sand if you want it smoother.
That said, I would not do this to nice OE bumpers and trim. Start with a LMC "basic" quality piece or better yet rough quality used if you really want to paint it. Not OE and not "premium" repop.
Shoot it with epoxy primer then paint. You can apply a surfacing primer after the epoxy and sand if you want it smoother.
That said, I would not do this to nice OE bumpers and trim. Start with a LMC "basic" quality piece or better yet rough quality used if you really want to paint it. Not OE and not "premium" repop.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
I bought a repop paintable one from LMC last year. I am pleased with it. It is of substantial thickness to make a legit bumper out of. Might be minimally thinner than a stock bumper andbend easier than a stock one but if you are hitting it enough to bend it so would the stock one.
You can paint over chrome. I have cleaned it, scuffed it good with sand paper, applied some quality etching primer, epoxy primer, and then high build primer to help will in the low spots where the bumper might be pitted.
You can paint over chrome. I have cleaned it, scuffed it good with sand paper, applied some quality etching primer, epoxy primer, and then high build primer to help will in the low spots where the bumper might be pitted.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 12
From: Wichita Falls TX
My sentiments exactly! Please don't ruin this beautiful truck.
David
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 396
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From: Twin Cities
I'm not sure why this is bothering me so much, but it is... the only logical conclusion I can come to is that Good To Doo is punking all of us right now and we all took the bait hard...
