Quality Front Bumper
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 62
From: Backwoods of western Pa
Quality Front Bumper
I am in the middle of a mild revamping of my '79, which included a swap to a '76 grille setup. I have everything to convert it over except the bumper, which has proven very difficult to find. I have been searching everywhere for a good used one, but after looking all summer I haven't found any. I may have to break down and buy a new one, but I am hesitant because of the poor quality that I have seen with some aftermarket bumpers. Does anyone know where I can find a QUALITY new one that isn't going to rust out or bend when I lean against the front of the truck? I refuse to buy Chinese or Taiwan junk.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 2
From: Georgetown, Ky
Ill be getting rid of the front bumper off my 75 - its not perfect thou, it has one wrinkle in the top.. if your interested Ill get pics..shipping might be a PITA to get it to PA from Ky thou .. shoot me a PM if your interested
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Yeah - shipping sucks on these. I have a pretty dang good chrome one I was trying to sell to another member and UPS wanted $140 to ship it GROUND 1/2 way across the country. That seems INSANELY HIGH to me
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 62
From: Backwoods of western Pa
Thanks for the input guys. I'd be willing to spend a little on shipping IF I found a really nice used one. I thought I scored one at the local pick a part this weekend when I ran across a Hiboy with a nice straight bumper with very clean chrome. Upon closer inspection I found 8-10 1/4inch holes in it where it had rusted through from the backside! That's a lot of metal to rust through, but that's PA for you.
4star - I'd like to see a pic of yours, I'll drop a PM to ya. I just bought an auxilliary overdrive unit from another FTE member a week ago, it cost $95 to ship it up here from Florida, and the whole package weighed in at ~95lbs. I also had it shipped to a business address (my work) so that helped a little on shipping.
I realize that DC, JBG, and obsolete Ford probably have good parts, but has anyone bought one of these bumpers? I was just wondering how well they would hold up and if the metal was as thick as the originals.
Again, thanks guys, I appreciate the input.
4star - I'd like to see a pic of yours, I'll drop a PM to ya. I just bought an auxilliary overdrive unit from another FTE member a week ago, it cost $95 to ship it up here from Florida, and the whole package weighed in at ~95lbs. I also had it shipped to a business address (my work) so that helped a little on shipping.
I realize that DC, JBG, and obsolete Ford probably have good parts, but has anyone bought one of these bumpers? I was just wondering how well they would hold up and if the metal was as thick as the originals.
Again, thanks guys, I appreciate the input.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, PA
I thought I scored one at the local pick a part this weekend when I ran across a Hiboy with a nice straight bumper with very clean chrome. Upon closer inspection I found 8-10 1/4inch holes in it where it had rusted through from the backside! That's a lot of metal to rust through, but that's PA for you.
I know what you mean about PA's rust. My baby will soon be in the barn for the winter!
Sorry--just re-read your first post and saw that you're going with the '76 grille. Please disregard my stupidity!
Last edited by Jolly Green; Sep 16, 2008 at 09:43 AM. Reason: I'm dumb!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 62
From: Backwoods of western Pa
Ya, mine is stored indoors all winter too. Believe it or not, it is an original PA truck and it has NO rust. All of the bolts come off like they are brand new. The original owner used it to pull his 5th wheel camper in the summer, and it sat in a garage when it wasn't being used. Winters are hard on these old trucks.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, PA
Ya, mine is stored indoors all winter too. Believe it or not, it is an original PA truck and it has NO rust. All of the bolts come off like they are brand new. The original owner used it to pull his 5th wheel camper in the summer, and it sat in a garage when it wasn't being used. Winters are hard on these old trucks.
Whereabouts are you in the Northwest of the state? I'm pretty much right smack in the middle of the state--about an hour west of State College.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 62
From: Backwoods of western Pa
You really have something there! Not many of these trucks in PA are rust free without a rebuild. Mine is rust free now, (except for the damn rear step bumper) but was rebuilt 12 years ago and hasn't seen much winter since then.
Whereabouts are you in the Northwest of the state? I'm pretty much right smack in the middle of the state--about an hour west of State College.
Whereabouts are you in the Northwest of the state? I'm pretty much right smack in the middle of the state--about an hour west of State College.
Btw, does anyone know if the 67-72 bumpers are the same as the 73-77's? This may widen my search for a used one a little, although I don't have much hope of finding one of those either.
I checked out BOTP and they list the 73-77 bumpers for $170, but the description is kinda vague. Are these Taiwan bumpers?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 339
From: Wildwood Pa
Ford141, you have a place almost in your back yard to get a good one, at a decent price. Parker Metal Products, in Tarentum. I bought a new bumper for my 79 F150 from them about 5 years ago & am very happy with it. It looked like it was made on the original tooling, every mark was exactly the same as the original I took off. The chrome has held up fine. The metal was as thick as original. Not sure where it was made, but it looks great!! I'm not sure what the 73-77 bumper is like, hopefully its similar in quality.
The people at Parker are very nice & helpful, I'm sure they will let you look at a bumper before you buy. I think they have a web site, search for Parker Metal. Here it is, not much on there other than contact info. http://www.pmpautoparts.net/customerservice.php
I also bought window weatherstripping from Parker & its held up fine too. I seem to recall the bumper was in the $100.00 range.
I'm in the Gibsonia area & have some 73-79 truck parts if you are looking for anything. Scott
The people at Parker are very nice & helpful, I'm sure they will let you look at a bumper before you buy. I think they have a web site, search for Parker Metal. Here it is, not much on there other than contact info. http://www.pmpautoparts.net/customerservice.php
I also bought window weatherstripping from Parker & its held up fine too. I seem to recall the bumper was in the $100.00 range.
I'm in the Gibsonia area & have some 73-79 truck parts if you are looking for anything. Scott
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