I was looking through an old Hollander Interchange Manual today(49th edition) for some information and I found a statement about the bumpers on the first run 1978 trucks. The Hollander manual stated that 73-77 front bumpers were utilized on the 1978 model year trucks up until serial # AG0001. So, if the 1978 model year truck was manufactured in August of 1977, it had the old style bumper. I'd heard that they used parts from previous years, but this was the first documentation that I had seen that it was actually done.

Just spouting off some trivia.

the 73-77 style bumper is also used on the back of the 78/79 bronco, somehow it would have made sense to have the same style on the bronco...you know,.. so at least the front matched the rear..I always wanted to swap out the front to see how it would look as a matched pair vs. the new and old

Interesting. Do you know how long they did that on the Bronco?

in 1980 they changed the whole design of the bronco so I would say for at least the 2 years of the 'dentside' style Bronco, alot of guys are also installing the rear bumpers tha are the same as the 73-77 front bumpers on their p/u's, if I could find one w/ the bracket/attaching ardware I would probably have one on my p/u too

lostinfords said:

the 73-77 style bumpers also used on the back of the 78/79 bronco.

Click to expand...

Since all rear bumpers were optional, 1978/79's could also have the 1973/77 style bumpers...as long as the rear frame rails are 37 1/2" wide, that is.

1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog & 1973/79 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog (includes Bronco!) sez:

D3TZ-17906-A .. Styleside Rear Bumper-Painted ~ Use with 37 1/2" rear frame rails.

D3TZ-17906-B .. Styleside Rear Bumper-Chrome ~ Use with 37 1/2" rear frame rails.

Applications: 1973/79 F100/350 & 1978/79 Bronco.
-------------------------------------------------
If the 1973/79 F250/350 Styleside rear frame rails are 33 1/2" wide...

C4TZ-17906-A .. Styleside Rear Bumper-Painted ~ Use with 33 1/2" rear frame rails.

C4TZ-17906-B .. Styleside Rear Bumper-Chrome ~ Use with 33 1/2" rear frame rails.

Applications: 1964/66 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F100 4WD / 1967/72 F100/350 / 1973/79 F250/350 with 33 1/2" rear frame rails.

1973/79 F250/350's with 33 1/2" rear frame rails

1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys).

1973/79 F350 Regular Cab Trailer Special (all 140" W/B).

1973/76 F350 Super Camper Special (all 140" W/B).

1977/79 F350 Regular Cab Camper Special (all 140" W/B - Ford dropped "Super" after 1976).

thanks for the info Bill...

fatherdoug said:

I was looking through an old Hollander Interchange Manual today(49th edition) for some information and I found a statement about the bumpers on the first run 1978 trucks. The Hollander manual stated that 73-77 front bumpers were utilized on the 1978 model year trucks up until serial # AG0001. So, if the 1978 model year truck was manufactured in August of 1977, it had the old style bumper. I'd heard that they used parts from previous years, but this was the first documentation that I had seen that it was actually done.

Just spouting off some trivia.

Click to expand...

Yep, I've seen quite a few early 78's running around here with the earlier bumper.