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A rear bumper was optional. Dealers would usually send a vehicle to a nearby bumper shop for installation, these shops would be manufacturing these style step bumpers not just for Ford, but for the other makes as well. Dealers had brochures for different styles of rear bumpers for customers to choose from , some of them were downright gargantuan. I like, and really find useful, my rear step bumper. It’s not simply for esthetics, as chrome one would be.
Dassler, your front bumper looks to me to be for the next generation of trucks, corners don’t appear contoured nicely to our trucks shape. Not handy to my truck to check for sure right now, though.
A rear bumper was optional. Dealers would usually send a vehicle to a nearby bumper shop for installation, these shops would be manufacturing these style step bumpers not just for Ford, but for the other makes as well. Dealers had brochures for different styles of rear bumpers for customers to choose from , some of them were downright gargantuan. I like, and really find useful, my rear step bumper. It’s not simply for esthetics, as chrome one would be.
Dassler, your front bumper looks to me to be for the next generation of trucks, corners don’t appear contoured nicely to our trucks shape. Not handy to my truck to check for sure right now, though.
Ibuzzard, that is exactly the style I would like to find. Not too tall, license plate off to the side, and deep enough to actually stand on. If a when you get a chance, please post a picture of a '61-'66 front bumper so I can compare. That would be helpful!! Thanks
That the problem, Herr Google showed hundreds of beautiful trucks with bumpers that look like mine, or at least to my untrained eye, and hundreds that look slightly different. Anyway, it's not that important at this stage.
That the problem, Herr Google showed hundreds of beautiful trucks with bumpers that look like mine, or at least to my untrained eye, and hundreds that look slightly different. Anyway, it's not that important at this stage.
Thanks for chiming in and enjoy your vacation.
Just look at post #1 in this thread. That Red truck has the correct bumper.
The Dassler, my truck had a rear bumper just like yours. My truck was originally my Dads Electrician shop truck. It had a big slide in utility box. The tailgate was removed and the back of the utility box hung down in the back. My Dad got the truck when his shop retired it. I learned to drive in it. It is a 64 with a 4 speed and 223 six. That bumper doesn't protect the tailgate when you back into things. Ask me how I know. I replaced it with the ibuzzard style.
Not too tall, license plate off to the side, and deep enough to actually stand on. If a when you get a chance, please post a picture of a '61-'66 front bumper so I can compare. That would be helpful!! Thanks
The style of bumper you have on there now with the steps just on the outside was to allow someone to disconnect the tailgate straps and drop the bumper down so it hung vertical and then you could shovel dirt or gravel, etc without it getting jammed up on top of the bumper or stuck between the box and the gate. I had a 67-72 non wraping bumper on my 64 for a bit but went to the full wrapping one instead. I used some aluminum binder post bolts to hold it to the rear sheetmetal behind the wheels. If The bumper gets hit from behind the binder posts should fail before the sheet metal gets damaged.... At least thats my theory, lol. Rear dealer installed bumpers were kind of a regional thing stylistically, it seems. The biggest manufacturer on the west coast back in the day was Barden. Most of the ones I see near me in Oregon are this style.
The style of bumper you have on there now with the steps just on the outside was to allow someone to disconnect the tailgate straps and drop the bumper down so it hung vertical and then you could shovel dirt or gravel, etc without it getting jammed up on top of the bumper or stuck between the box and the gate. I had a 67-72 non wraping bumper on my 64 for a bit but went to the full wrapping one instead. I used some aluminum binder post bolts to hold it to the rear sheetmetal behind the wheels. If The bumper gets hit from behind the binder posts should fail before the sheet metal gets damaged.... At least thats my theory, lol. Rear dealer installed bumpers were kind of a regional thing stylistically, it seems. The biggest manufacturer on the west coast back in the day was Barden. Most of the ones I see near me in Oregon are this style.
Barden Bumpers Bumper Differences
7BercMerc,
Thank you!! One, for the great explanation of the odd rear bumper, I always suspected that being "notched" was likely for the reason you mentioned, but I don't think I am likely to ever drop the tailgate and pile soil or gravel in the back of my slick at this point.
Second, thanks for the very clear and concise photo's of the '64-'66 and '67-'72 front bumpers. From that, I think it is safe to say that my bumper is not original and from a later model truck. Maybe I will get lucky and find the correct one.
Last, Great looking '64! What color is that? I really like the rear wrap around bumper, also the fact that it reached the rear wheel arches. Mine are a bit short, but if nothing else, I can use my rear bumper as a templet to fabric one that looks like yours.
Killerkjn, Between your explanation and that of 7BercMerc, it seems that the rear bumper mystery is somewhat explained. Thanks for chiming in. As for how you might know about denting your tailgate, I can tell you from an earlier truck my family had, I know what you mean.
7BercMerc, Last, Great looking '64! What color is that?
I really don't know what color it is... It is the second repaint and was done by the original owner. The truck was originally Wimbledon White. The first repaint was a copper color, done sometime before '73 and this light green is over that. It kind of resembles the 61 S code light green (Mint Green) (M30J-1373). I think at some point I will repaint it that color with the WW two tone. Kind of like this Photoshopped version I did.... Here's an image of a 61 I found online for reference...
Thanks for sharing, I didn't even notice the two tone in the first photo's with the before and after bumper change, I kind of like it as I am personally partial to the two tone paint style. However, my truck is simply Wimbledon White. If and when I can, I will probably keep the White and do a bit of a monochrome look with a black rear bumper bed cover, and wheels, with red accents to play off the red interior.
I didn't even notice the two tone in the first photo's with the before and after bumper change.
The two tone is just photoshopped for now, it's actually all green.... I have to do some rust repair in the leading edge of the hood so I figured I will paint it back to the original WW and then go from there to paint the door uppers and the upper bed sides. Someday, that is.... Ive got to finish rewiring it and finish the repaint of the interior. Going back to the original WW in there.
It's looking good, and I really like the seats! Kinda retro, so they look right for the truck IMHO. I myself have original Ranger optioned bucket seats and now only wish I could find a center console. As for the color, I personally have come to appreciate the Wimbledon White. So if and when I get to where you are at, I will likely stay stock. But I have to say, there are so many cool combinations, I don't think you can go wrong no matter in which direction you go.
It's looking good, and I really like the seats! Kinda retro, so they look right for the truck IMHO.
Thanks! The seat is a 67 T-Bird bench that I refinished and had my local upholstery shop do new foam and trim. Im still working on gettin the center console/arm rest finished. Adding cup holders, storage and some accessories to it. This is just a drawing of it complete....
Wow, the seat looks fantastic. It has the same overall shape as the '64 mustang seats in my truck but is a bit more practical, as you could still fit a third person in the middle. I have to wonder if the early Ranger option would have maybe taken off more if Ford had used the same seat you are using? Funny, I saw what I thought was a mustang bench with normal setbacks on Facebook marketplace, and I thought then that it would be a good choice for the Slicks. I guess it was actually a T'bird seat too. Well, my compliments on what looks to be a great build.
Couple of questions, one, while you are in there, are you adding shoulder belts? And two, the sound matting, did you add any to the doors, and what headliner are you planning to use?
