I have a 74 Ranger XLT with the chrome front bumper with bumper guards. I have seen the front chrome bumpers that also have the horizontal black bumper strips but only on the later years (76+) and only in the 73, 74 Ford brochures for the Explorer package. Does anyone know, for certain, if the horizontal strips were ONLY offered for the Explorer package in 1974? I have a few original Ford 74 pickup sales brochures and nowhere does it show the horizontal strips, in any picture or as an option...only on the Explorer package. My truck is very original and I don't want to add something that would not be period correct but I really like the strips. Thanks for your help!

 

I have the 74 F100 Ranger XLT that my father purchased new. It has the vertical grill guards, but never had the "rub strips" on the bumper itself.
The original window sticker lists "protection group" as 1 of the options, and I know that on later models, this included the pads on the bumper as well as the grill guards. I guess it didn't in 74.
Numberdummy has posted a front bumper part number before for use with the rub strips, and the part number + application data both indicate it started with the 73 years model Ranger XLT's. I know dad's 74 never had them.
I am not saying ND or the book is wrong, just that it doesn't match 100% with pictures from the sales catalogs.......

 

FWIW my '75 with the Explorer package has the horizontal bumper pads/guards, it was a one owner truck so i know they're original to the truck.

 

According to the 74 Explorer package catalog, all Explorers got the rub strips and grill guards. The grill guards are shown in the main catalog on every XLT, but no rub strips.
Perhaps the rub strips were Explorer package only?

 

My truck which is a '77 has them, but again it is an Explorer package. My dad bought his '77 Explorer new, and it had them from factory. As far as in '74, I am not sure, about the time you believe they never did come with them, someone will show up and say they did, and show you their original example.

To my knowledge they do not make replacemets of these. Luckly, mine are in next to perfect shape. (click on link, bottom left to see my dent). The vertical push pad are of course in production. I replaced mine as they were showing their age.

However, I do appreciate your stance on keeping the original approiate parts only on your dent, I roll the same way. It may not be original to the truck, "BUT" it could have been ordered that way.

 

Thanks everyone for y'alls input. My dad also had a 76 F250 Explorer which he bought brand new and it too had the horizontal strips. I'm thinking that they must have been part of the Explorer package until later when they were either optional or standard on the 78-79 maybe? Like I originally said, I see them in the 73, 74 sales brochures but only for the Explorer, none of the other packages. I have a chance to buy a pretty nice bumper with both the horizontal and vertical guards but if it's not correct for my 74, then I really don't want them.

 

That is a sweet Explorer that you have by the way!

 

That was my impression, but i'm not 100% certain, i'm sure ND would know.

 

If you don't buy it for your truck might you be willing to let me purchase it? My 77 does have horizontal pads which were cut to install bull bar when it was new. My bumper is rust free but has a twist that I can't get out, very slight but I know it's there! PM me if ok.