i have a 2002 5.4 4x4 sport, and unfortunately the people at ford made the truck with half of its front bumper red and the other half this ugly gray plastic that doesnt match much of anything on my truck. ive read about a lot of people painting their bumper - is it possible to paint that to match the rest of the truck and make the bumper look like its supposed to be on the truck? i want to maybe raise it later, so i cant really buy a lightning bumper cover or anything - i just want to have the stock bumper and have it looking presentable - what are the options?

- goose

 

You can do it. It is much similar to the lightning bumper before it is painted. Probably cost you $200 dollars to get it painted. My truck came like that and I did the conversion. It will probably cost around $800 dollars to do the lightning bumper swap.

 

The stock valence is tricky to paint if the surface is not smooth enough (originally rough surface). Moreover, it won't shine like the rest of your truck and it would become more of an eyesore. I've seen many F150 trucks around my area with cheap, dull and flat looking bumpers in attempt to color match it with the rest of the truck (especially with Oxford White)

IMO it's better to swap out the lower valence or perhaps the entire bumper cover with an aftermarket one that can be painted to match (already smooth surface or gel-coated)

 

if you want a cheap option check this out.

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/paintairdam.php

What i dont know about this is longevity and since i havent actually seen it i dont know how it came out. But i think its probably not bad, and definatly nicer than the plastic. If you dont like how it turns out then its a good excuse to buy a nice aftermarket one. Good luck.

 

I wonder how much an stx bumper swap would cost, I LOVE the look of the new stx model

 

i'll be doing this in august when i get my 97/98 F150
Gonna do the STX lower valance, and STX grille.
The grille is a blacked out version of the 01 HD grille, and the valance is kinda like a reworked version of the 01 HD valance.
Then some L heads, a set of tails, 3/4 drop, tonneau cover, and some 20's and a mustang hood scoop and i'll be set