I Have a 66 F100 custom cab short bed 2WD. I acquired it last fall but just now have gotten to the fine tuning of it. I just installed a new carb and solenoid and that made a world of difference. I still have the Load-O-Matic dist but it starts and run very nice so im just staying with that. Front end Disc brakes were just done too. I added a new Retro sound in dash speaker and removed the door panels and speakers that the previous owner ruined by drilling a hole and putting Walmart speakers in. So now my Retro radio and in dash speaker sound so nice.

Any way.. to my question.. My rear bumper is bent but brackets are fine. I need to replace the rear bumper because when the tailgate is opened one side hits and has a dent /chipped paint on it. Seems to have been this way for a while. I was looking at LMC for the bumper they are little cheaper and less shipping than DC is. Is the quality just as good? I have read that they are little thinner than original but i will have to live with that i guess. I was also thinking of replacing the brackets ( and H/W) sine they will have to be torched off. There are no threads on the mounting bolts or bumper bolts. (original) Hopefully they fit up or else ill try to leave the brackets in place or use new bolts.

Also, My front bumper is original but has a big bump in it like it was bumped at one time and it to is also little crooked on the truck. Mine has the curved end going around the fenders so im assuming its also original due to the chrome condition. (both bumpers are original) Is the LMC front bumper the same with the curved ends going around the fender side little bit. I can see the Dennis Carpenter one has the curved ends but LMC pic is more vague. Also can someone tell me if there is a quality difference between LMC and Dennis Carpenter bumpers and fitment. If you look in the middle area of the front bumper you can see a bump up and it seems off from one side to the other left to right.





I plan on getting a paint job along with new outside trim done in near future so now I'm just getting all the issues buttoned up.
I also have posted a few other issues about my drivers upper door hinge. Hopefully that works out for a original part
thanks Jeff

 

Over 20 years ago, I bought a chrome front bumper for my 59 F250 from LMC. Quality/thickness of the bumper itself, and the chrome was decent.

Though I have no clue about Carpenter’s bumpers, with regard to what LMC is currently selling, I’d not buy their chromed bumpers, but I would take a chance on the one that’s primed for painting or powder coating. They’re not as thick as original, or even what they sold 20 yers ago. Some have stated that at least some bumpers being sold for Slicks are really contoured to fit the 67-up trucks, someone will verify, and will chime in on the DC bumpers, as well

It looks like you’ll be wanting chromed, though. I ‘d try to find an straight original and have that re-chromed by a reputable place, and of course, fret over the high costs, There used to be myriad places that could and would straighten bumpers, so perhaps yours might be worth saving if you can find one.

Note: Your fender badges are for a 65.

 

I would do anything I could to keep your original bumper. My 64 has a chrome aftermarket front bumper. I swear it is half the thickness as an original. I barely tapped something with it and it bent like tin foil. I have found it difficult to find nice original bumpers, so hold onto it. I wouldn’t recommend the aftermarket’s. By the way, if anyone has a 64-77 original chrome front bumper in the Seattle/Tacoma area that you want to sell I’m interested.

 

Your front bumper looks to be correct and would be worth bearing the cost of having it re-chromed. The rear bumpers in those days were an option. So, no telling when or who put it on the truck. NPD usually gives choices in quality, and they have several locations across the country.
Tri-City Plating in Elizabethton did my front bumper in Oct. 2017 for $411. PH. 423-542-6532
There might still be a plater in Knoxville.
My rear bumper is getting a little cracking in the chrome and could use a re-plate if I have time I will drive over there and see what the price on these bumpers is nowadays.

 

I drove over and talked with Tri-Cities Plating. The prices have changed a bunch since I had my bumper done in 17. $800 front or back. He said they have good USA cores for the back for sure and most likely for the front, but he would have to look for those. He said that their cost for the chemicals they use have tripled in the last 4 years. Not to mention all the EPA, BS. Disband the EPA!!!
He knew that the 61-66 fronts were different than the 67-72's. All the re-pops are 67-72 style. They have a few cores out there.

 

wow that a lot of bumpers right there.. thanks jeff

 

Wonder if they have an old guy in the plating shop who can identify all those bumpers just lookin at em!

 

Good news! I was able to find a nice original front bumper. This thing is about twice the weight of the crappy aftermarket one that I have. It was found in Eatonville WA. Which is about 25 miles from my house for $100.

 

That's great! My one 1966 F250 4x4 truck sold new at Van Cleve Motors in Eatonville. In 1979 Van Cleve Motors moved down the road to Morton where they remain in business to this day.





Jim Van Cleve used to race a Fairlane 427 lightbody.



Car is still raced.

 

Very cool story! Thanks for sharing.

 

This has been an interesting read, and I don't want to highjack this thread, but can someone tell me the differences between the original '66 and the '67 front bumper? My '66 has a kink in the bumper and has had some obvious front end damage in its short life, and may not even be a '66 bumper. That and the back bumper (according to the previous owner) is also not original. As I recall, he told me he bought the truck from an estate and the bumper was not on the truck. I have concluded that the truck was going through some level of restoration when the pre pre owner either passed or put the truck up for a quick sale. I had to source seat belts (but have new carpet) fix and exhaust leak that was due to the exhaust manifolds never being properly snugged up, an install the proper speedo cable as my truck now has a C6 instead of the original Ford-O-Matic. Anyway, I can drive my truck (when I am anywhere near it) and am planning a full restoration sometime in the future so this question is all about planning. If anyone can identify that back bumper, and its odd profile, I would love to know more about that too. Thanks everyone.

 

Certainly not original, its just a matter of if you like it or not. There were probably as many bumper builders as there are small trailer builders. The only thing I dislike about the "wrap around" type is they tend to hold dirt on the inside and rust out the box, or fender of flare sides.

 

I can't say I am a fan of the rear bumper, I don't mind the wrap around, (I do keep it clean and make sure no organic material is against any metal surfaces. However, I find the lack of an actual bumper from the back, a bit odd. Not sure of the general idea behind the form or style. That said, do you happen to know if the front bumper is right for a '66, or it to maybe from a later truck?

 

I am not the expert on your front bumper. The rear...was a rear bumper an option on a new truck? Sure do see a lot of custom made rears.

 

I assume my truck had a bumper, but I have no idea what style when new. There is evidence that it carried a camper as it is a camper special F250, that said, I can only go by what the previous owner said when I bought the truck. I have seen some really cool wrap around bumpers that I like, and maybe one day I will either find one, or make one. But what got me jumping in on this thread, is my wondering about the front bumper. I have read here and elsewhere that the only real replacement aftermarket front bumpers available are actually for '67 and later bumpsides. what I am trying to figure out is, what the difference is and can anyone say what is on my truck now?

Anyway, Rusty Valley, thanks for sharing your thoughts.