'68 Bumper Questions

[codyman]

Hey Everyone
Just got a great '68 F250 Camper Special "Ranger" with an original 390 under the hood from the original owner with 90k original miles on the clock. Overall, it's in great shape for the most part with minor minor rust in all the usual places. Anyways, the rear bumper is a bit strange on this one for a couple reasons. First off, where the license plate is mounted right now, if you drop the tailgate it bends the license plate in half which obviously is an issue. Also, I'm assuming because it's a camper special, the bumper actually can slide backwards and extend outwards I'm assuming to still be a "step" if one were to have a camper in the bed although I don't have the bolts to hold it in place so it's kind of moving around.

At this point, I'm thinking it might be best to just get a replacement chrome bumper with the license plate down and centered? I don't really care for a bumper mounted hitch (would rather get a chasis mounted one later...). Any suggestions on this? I noticed LMC Trucks has part number 49-9542 but the bolts to mount it seem to be on top rather than on the side? Any insight into all of this would be greatly appreciated! Looking forward to getting this sucker all cleaned up and looking as nice as she can as she's been neglected to a side yard for a couple decades so I've been going through her and she's running great!

[Bill Ramsey]

That's a ford step bumper. It should be farther forward, so the license plate is behind the tailgate

[codyman]

After some grunt work getting it to slide forward, I bolted it into place and the license plate seems to clear now. Thanks!

I'm still contemplating getting a more traditional non-step bumper. Any idea of where to acquire a good one? Would it need different brackets to mount it?

[Bill Ramsey]

Different brackets-yes for sure. No idea where to get new one but og Ford would be best quality.

[sargentrs]

I bought this set from a former member a few years back. Haven't installed it yet so can't speak to fit but quality was good and the price was right.

Bumper: http://dennis-carpenter.com/m/product.a ... TZ-17906-B

and bracket set: http://dennis-carpenter.com/m/product.a ... -17787-SET

[Bullitt74]

I bought this set from a former member a few years back. Haven't installed it yet so can't speak to fit but quality was good and the price was right.

Bumper: http://dennis-carpenter.com/m/product.a ... TZ-17906-B

and bracket set: http://dennis-carpenter.com/m/product.a ... -17787-SET

I bought that bracket set, and required some bending to get the drivers side to fit. I actually used my front bumper bolts that were a bit smaller. As the bracket holes didn’t quite line up with the bumper. The outcome was good in my case, but probably a torch and some bending would be needed to install it properly.

That said, I don’t regret the purchase.

[Bill Ramsey]

is that driveway really narrow, or the sidewalk really wide?

[codyman]

is that driveway really narrow, or the sidewalk really wide?

Unfortunately driveway is really narrow, hence only the driver side "Western" mirror being on (not pictured is the driveway being flanked by two columns and an overhang). Speaking of mirrors, I want to get some smaller "sport" mirrors but I'd rather not drill anymore holes since I already have 6 drilled per side. Anyone know of any smaller mirrors that would bolt right in to any of these?

[sargentrs]

You could buy a cheap set at your local parts store, match up one hole and drill another hole in the mirror base for a through bolt? Might not be pretty but would at least give you a view to the rear?

[codyman]

You could buy a cheap set at your local parts store, match up one hole and drill another hole in the mirror base for a through bolt? Might not be pretty but would at least give you a view to the rear?

Yeah I'm hoping to stumble upon a generic mirror that happens to have the same bolt spacing but no luck so far. Your idea is probably the best way of approaching it without having to damage more of the metal.

[Bill Ramsey]

You could fill the holes with painted-to-match pop rivets. Less noticeable and cheap.