Canadian Guy's recent post that he was headed to the L&L yard in Idaho has sped up the idea of finding a stock rear bumper for our Mercury M68, which I believe would be the same as a Ford F3. As you can see in the following pictures the original owner followed the fairly common practice of welding a triangular steel support on each side with a bar under the level of the tailgate. I've removed the steel triangles to get the lights in the right place, but after spending some time digging around looking at images online I've decided I have no idea what a stock bumper should look like.

Mid Fifties has a bumper, plus brackets, that looks like what I've seen in a few pictures - the link for that one is at

1948-72 Ford F-100 Bumper, Rear, Plain Steel, Usa - BBAA-17906-SY

They also sell two brackets that attach that to the frame. Is that the bumper that these trucks came with? Also, is that steel flat piece across the back, under the tailgate a stock piece or has that been added by someone? If that is stock, and these trucks could be bought without a real "bumper" I will leave it like that for now.




Before steel triangles removed



As it looks now.

 

BBAA-17906-A .. Painted Channel Pickup Rear Bumper

1948/52 F1/F3 / 1953/56 F100/350 / 1957/63 F100/350 Flareside / 1961/63 F100/250 Uni Styleside / 1964/72 F100/350 Flareside / 1973/77 F250 4WD Flareside.

This rear bumper was also used on misc. 1932/47 trucks, because BB is the part number prefix for 1932 1 ton trucks.

All rear bumpers were optional thru at least 1979, so it's possible a truck could have a factory bumper, or one bought aftermarket or bought used at a junkyard.

 

"All rear bumpers were optional thru at least 1979, so it's possible a truck could have a factory bumper, or one bought aftermarket or bought used at a junkyard."

Thanks Bill - so at this point it makes sense for me to leave it as is is. I want to spend next winter getting the bodywork in better shape, and that could include a bumper but I can decide then. In the meantime it needs some on-road experience.

 

Having a flatbed, the bumper thing isn't a big deal for us, but the info the NumberDummy posted is valuable.

Imagine using the same bumper from '32 to '77.

I love the look of your M68.

 

Using the same part for 45 years is definitely a triumph of functionality over fashion, for sure.

Saw your post from Edmunds, sound like you are well on the way - for now I'm not worried about the bumper after this discussion. Have fun with the rest of your shopping list!

Thanks again Tim.

Dave

 

I checked my Canadian 1948 to 1951 Chassis parts catalogue and the rear bumper is only listed for 1/2 tons not 1 tons.

 

I hate to disagree with Bill (NumberDummy) but have to on this one. Ford didn't offer any bumper when your truck was new. The bumper brackets for 1951 and later trucks bolts into the 48-50 trucks. Those are the brackets in the catalogs these days.

You can find bumper part numbers in the later parts catalogs. The later parts catalogs are a combination of parts that will work on trucks, not what was offered new. Since the 1951-52 bumper bolts onto the 48-50 trucks, Ford added the earlier application after the fact. So to answer your question, there is no original Ford bumper for your truck.

Here are two threads you may find helpful and interesting:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...it-attach.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-13471-a.html

 

Thanks Fred - Lots of useful information in there - I appreciate that & will need it later once I start focusing on body work, especially around the box where there's the most rust and obvious heavy use on the farm.

 

I do know that there was no stock rear bumper for 1948 Ford F-3

Ed
near Philadelphia

 

So can we have a pic of a bumper even if not the right one

Bought from epay is this close to correct or not for a 49?

 

So how is that attached? It looks like two pieces - is the front piece bolted directly to the frame?

 

This is the look that I think the "correct" aftermarket bumpers have - there are two brackets attaching to the out side of the frame with the bumper dropped down below and behind the valance under the tailgate. I think. I am strictly going off internet images for this assumption ( what could go wrong with that strategy, right? )

https://cdn.barrett-jackson.com/stag...ar_3-4_Web.JPG

 

yes bolted to the frame/notch at gas filler made to fit with trailer hitch but separate. is the bumper close to a stock look? any pic with a stock bumper

 

yes that looks like my bumper but chrome