The lens panel width is wider on the F-series than the Bronco. The lenses aren’t interchangeable between Bronco and F-series… I’ve already tried as mine is missing as well.
I have a truck with the smoke colored plastic strip and a Bronco with the red plastic strip.
They are the exact same length and width as measured from the outside.
They MAY differ with regards to the any of the mounting studs on the back side.
Maybe that is where problem you experienced is at ??
I would think that one could use a belt sander or other grinding device to remove the mounting studs and instead use a high quality automotive grade double sided tape (3M brand is best) to install the new strip after wiping parts with alcohol to clean them and ensure a long life of adhesion.
As mentioned earlier, the Bronco model has the Ford oval on driver's side where the trucks have Ford lettering on passenger's side (except some 97HD trucks also had driver's side oval emblem.)
Also, the key hole is not in the plastic strip.