[jpg69bird]

Other than 76, are there other years jacks which are compatible with 76 TA bumpers?

[Trevor78]

Most are 'the same', 79-81 required an adaptor. You wouldn't actually use one though, just for the collection.

[unruhjonny]

There is a fair amount of discussion on the 70-73 jacks, but little if anything on the 74-78 jacks.

I have two 79-80 jacks, but a third jack I have is supposedly a 1981 jack which does not use the adapter - rather it has a significantly flatter edge than the 79-80 jack.

It might be beneficial to the OP if owners of original 1976 cars were willing to picture AND measure their jacks to ensure that it fits in the correct spot properly.

I do know that somewhere after 1973 the space saver tire option came with an alternate jack mounting location (under the rear dash);
I do not know if those jacks were supposed to be any different than the full sized spare cars.

[jpg69bird]

Thanks unruhjonny, that's the type of info I am looking for. any responses would help.

Yes, Trevor78, for show only.

[Trevor78]

I can measure one later. I have 2 identical jacks to suit 78 models, neither came with my car. Earlier years also had different jack holders under the rear shelf, probably matches the 70-73 as mentioned. The jack was fairly universal too, supplied to many and not just GM, just the brackets and possibly base.

[jpg69bird]

Here are 2 older pictures of what sellers had listed for 76 bumper jacks. These are older sales and are sold.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by jpg69bird

Here are 2 older pictures of what sellers had listed for 76 bumper jacks. These are older sales and are sold.

Like what I see in the 2nd pic. Might PM Rocky Rotella, he's owned his '76 forever.

One issue you will run across identifying the trapezoidal cross section type bumper jacks is in the 70's there are at least 3 different cross sectional sizes of the jack post. The smallest cross section style, & often the shortest jack post came in Vegas, Monzas, etc. The next bigger size cross sectionally was used in our A-body's & F-body's. The largest crosssection style with typicall 34" or longer jack masts & came out of B series (big cars) up through '76. I prob have two dozen original GM usage bumper jacks from the 70's & am still trying to ID half of them.

The date on the rivet face ended after I believe '72(?) . The round hole in the side of the stamped jack mechanism is a telltale of a '73 & later bumper jack mechanism. The '76-78 original Firebird jack assemblies I've examined had black painted mechanisms. Did some '78's get a jack that the mechanism was corporate blue, I don't know.

There were multiple suppliers for the bumper jacks. It also wasn't uncommon back in the day, for original bumper jacks to get pitched if they didn't work well & replaced with something similar out of a boneyard for $10.

[Trevor78]

Since this is what I have, here's 2 '77-78 bumper jacks, should be the same for a '76.

Both are the same, both are 31" over the mast. The stamped text about oiling is different.

Earlier models appear to have a stamped date code on the rivet of the jack body, these do not. Early versions also have a stamped date code on the base plate, this one simply has U.

The date code is stamped into the mast on each, different locations, appears to be 14th June '77 and 29th December '77. The earlier one also has Patent 3163925 stamped.

20230504_155511 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155537 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155300 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155315 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155341 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155322 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155417 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155602 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155634 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155716 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_155730 by Ben, on Flickr

20230504_160054 by Ben, on Flickr

And the reason they are only 31", need to fit under the parcel tray inside brackets and curved body.

Parcel shelf cut with jack 2 by Ben, on Flickr

[Trevor78]

Of use? Yes, No? They weren't exactly just sitting around.

[unruhjonny]

i appreciated that;
i quite appreciated seeing where the date stamping moved.

you gave a length, where the date codes were, and nice images of the mechanism;
all should be helpful.

hopefully the op will reply.

[jpg69bird]

THANK YOU TREVOR!! These pics are great and let me know what I can use. I've been seeing people selling jacks for 76's that look nothing like these. They have a long extended nose.

I have a lead on one right near me that I might pick up this week, thanks to these pictures.

[Trevor78]

All good, wasn't sure if that was enough or not or for an original owner to say nope, theirs was different etc. Or just a 74-76 owner to reply in general.

[Trevor78]

Probably also pics in the owners manual.

[jpg69bird]

Well, I picked up one that looks exactly like yours. It fit perfectly into the front bumper, but did not come close in the rear.

I also got one with an extended length pickup, and that fit into both front and rear.

That's a picture of the left rear support. There are no slots in the bumper. Is there a chance, that is not the original bumper?

[Held for Ransom]

Here are pictures of a 1974 bumper jack. It was made after 1973. The other 1974 jack I have has no PATENT number or date other than on the rivet head.

[Trevor78]

Different hook section to suit slotted chrome bumpers.

[jpg69bird]

I found the part number for the 76, but can't find it online.

The assembly manual shows part number 358356 with 329748 as optional.

[Trevor78]

Since they don't have the part numbers on them, no one is going to advertise them with one. But you can tell from pics that isn't one.