'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Heres the scoop: I want to slap on a Smittybuilt guard on my '72 F-250, but they list it only for '73 on up. I understand that these trucks are virtually indenticle from the firewall forward, the bumpers will swap out, etc. My question is was there any change in the bumper design between these two years? The Smittybuilt rep says that even a slight design mod will cause their guard not to fit, which is probably why its not listed for the '72. I know these two bumpers will interchange, but are they identicle or slightly different in style? Thanks for the help, I've been having a helluva time finding a front guard for my rig.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 7
From: New Egypt, New Jersey
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Hi, There were some slight differences between the '72 and '73 front bumper designs. The front bumper year changes are listed as follows:
'61-'63
'64-'72
'73-'77
'78-'79
I hope this helps.
Kenny
'61-'63
'64-'72
'73-'77
'78-'79
I hope this helps.
Kenny
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Actually, that helps quite a bit, thanks a bunch. I guess I'll have to make design a template and get my own welded up. At least I know to forget about the Smittybuilt.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Seth, the 73 should bolt up just fine. The differences were in the shape of the bumper, not in the mounting.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
[font color=red size=3]If you really want that guard, why don't you just get a '73-'77 bumper and put it on your '72? Then the guard would fit.;-)
Just a thought.
Marty[/font]
Just a thought.
Marty[/font]
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Talk about an old thread raised from the depths! What I found out was that although yes, the mounting points are the same for all these years, that particular guard is "shaped" to the bumper which is why it needs to be a '73 on up. I just decided to have my buddy fabricate one...it bolts directly to the frame, has extended tubular light guards, and is substantially stouter than the Smittybuilt. Its nice to be unique and cheaper than getting a different bumper. Now I just need to make some nerf bars...
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Great idea to fabricate one yourself. I am to looking to put something on the front of my truck too, but unable to find any. Might I be able to get a picture of yours' for an idea of what I want??
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
'72 vs. '73: any sleight bumper changes?
Sorry, but being rather computer illiterate and scannerless I don't have any pictures of my truck in my computer. Basically it looks like the Smittybuild guard, with the addition of the tubular light guards on each side. The main difference is that rather than it mounting to the bumper it wraps beneath it and bolts to the frame. Keep in mind that this is fine for a lifted truck, but it might cause problems on a stock rig with your entry/exit vectors while wheeling on rocks or steep hills because of the mounting plates which are 4 inches beneath your bumper. It would also be easy to fab it up with tabs just like the smittybuilt to mount to your bumper though. Hope that helped.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.
