front end not right!

[NINERS1]

Hey guys, got my truck out of paint and the left headlight is not centered in the grill, all the front ent parts are new (fenders-grill-bumper) I took the headlight out and reinstalled it and its in right so is it my grill or core support thats off? here is a pic, you can see the left headlight is low.



not sure how to fix it. any ideas? my hood to grill lines are good and fender seems good, don't know how to tackle this!

[cdowns]

reposition the headlight bucket

[jhwkns]

I'd worry more about that crooked bumper.

[Slick67]

Check to see if the spring is installed correctly on the bucket, that will make a big difference.

[NINERS1]

Originally Posted by Slick67

Check to see if the spring is installed correctly on the bucket, that will make a big difference.

will check it again but i think it is. i know the bumper is crooked but that is easy to fix. the light bucket fits into the bucket on the core support that is not adjustable, so i don't think i can reposition the light without moving the core support up, is that right?

[swamp rat]

I would start with figuring out if the bumper is straight, cant see the tires on the pavement to judge the bumper in that pic.

Next check the radiator support mount bushings and cab mount bushings.

If you could get a shot with the sun directly facing the front of the truck it would help.

I know its got to be an optical ellusion but the grill looks taller from top to bottom on the right than the left

[NINERS1]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I would start with figuring out if the bumper is straight, cant see the tires on the pavement to judge the bumper in that pic.

Next check the radiator support mount bushings and cab mount bushings.

If you could get a shot with the sun directly facing the front of the truck it would help.

I know its got to be an optical ellusion but the grill looks taller from top to bottom on the right than the left

ok, i will level the bumper and get a better pic and go from there, the core support bushings seem to be installed corectly.

[piecesparts]

Are you using an aftermarket core support? I mean one that was made by those that are not made in this country? If so the holes may not be stamped right in the support to hold the headlight mounts. Do some measuring and see if that is your problem. My project truck has an aftermarket core support and I found the radiator bolt holes to be out of alignment to the factory core design. I also found that all of the aftermarkets appear to be the same. I redid the holes on mine and now they are good. Now I am going to have to measure the headlight mounting holes to see if you have just presented me with another issue.

[screamin_c10]

I have seen this before on a truck with a slightly bent front frame horn (very common on these trucks). It looks to me like the front left frame horn is bent down causing the bumper and core support to be pulled down on that side.

If the body shop aligned the fender, grille and hood to get the best gap at the door then they would be slightly high in comparison to the bumper and headlight which are "rigidly" mounted to the frame.

The correct fix would be to have to frame checked straightened, the easy fix would be to loosen the front fender to core support mounting points and shim your core support and bumper up and re align the sheet metal so that everything fits nicely.

Or I could be out in left field...its early and I need coffee.....

[GruntMoanCough]

I think screamin_c10 is on the right track. Measuring bottom of rad support to top of the frame rails (they would measure the same) and top of rad support to top of fender (driver's side fender would be higher than the rad support), would confirm this.

[NINERS1]

Ok i got the the bumper straight, yes it is aftermarket core support but it was all straight when i took it in, makes me suspect the new gril or the new fenders, now it looks like the left side of the grill needs to go down, the bumper is now level with the ground.

[NINERS1]

the bumper is level, 1/8 off side to side, grill measures 1" higher on the left side, so i think the holes on the left fender r off that the grill bolts to.

[screamin_c10]

Did you test fit everything before you had it painted? If so did it all fit correctly at that time...the use of so much aftermarket sheet metal, and the known issues with it, has me concerned that it may be a combination of issues...but I still stand by my original post, that bumper is still way low in comparison to the fender/grille...good luck

Bill

[NINERS1]

pretty sure its not the frame as it was all level before and the only new parts r outer grill and both front fenders and the bumper.

[GruntMoanCough]

Being an aftermarket rad support, could be that the headlight mounting bracket is not in the right location.

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by GruntMoanCough

Being an aftermarket rad support, could be that the headlight mounting bracket is not in the right location.

Definitely a possibility but that would not explain the bumper to grille misalignment...

[NINERS1]

Originally Posted by GruntMoanCough

Being an aftermarket rad support, could be that the headlight mounting bracket is not in the right location.

the rad support has been on the truck for 3 years and like i said it all was level and lined up before,so i dont think it's the core support

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

I would take all measurements from the ground to avoid confusion. Unfortunately you cant simply lower your grille 1" to match the bumper. The fender reveal as well as the hood will have a 1" gap. Step back and look at the last pic you posted and ask yourself what happens if you move individual pieces around.
For instance if you move the grille down it will not be aligned properly with the fender...if you move the front of the fender down an inch to compensate what does that do to your door to fender gap?

I would start with measuring the front frame horns (not the bumper) to the concrete and give us a side shot of the front clip from both sides so we can see the door gaps and wheel arch to tire/rim distances.

Bill

the previous measurements were from the ground, i'll take some more pics from the side

[NINERS1]

[screamin_c10]

I would take all measurements from the ground to avoid confusion. Unfortunately you cant simply lower your grille 1" to match the bumper. The fender reveal as well as the hood will have a 1" gap. Step back and look at the last pic you posted and ask yourself what happens if you move individual pieces around.
For instance if you move the grille down it will not be aligned properly with the fender...if you move the front of the fender down an inch to compensate what does that do to your door to fender gap?

I would start with measuring the front frame horns (not the bumper) to the concrete and give us a side shot of the front clip from both sides so we can see the door gaps and wheel arch to tire/rim distances.

Bill

[NINERS1]

the front frame horns measure the same on both sides from the ground. you can see the top of the truck is level with the top of the house. has to be the left fender doesn't it? i know it will screw up all the gaps to move it down, so what r my options??

[screamin_c10]

The fender to door gaps look pretty good, so the front clip to cab orientation is pretty close. This just reinforces my belief that the front left frame horn is pulled down slightly.

It is not uncommon, and easily fixed at a frame/body shop.

Originally Posted by NINERS1

i know it will screw up all the gaps to move it down, so what r my options??

I would try shimming the core support up off the frame horn a little bit at a time with the support to left fender bolts loose. The holes are slotted and or over-sized.

Once you get the headlight where you want it tighten everything up, re-adjust your hood stops and shim/adjust the bumper. This will get you on the road until you have the time/resources to take it in and have the frame horn addressed...

just my .02

Bill

[NINERS1]

even though the frame horns measure the same to the ground? you think the left one is bent? i will try to shim the rad support on the left to bring it up some, thanks for taking the time to help me !! jim

[GruntMoanCough]

Something I just noticed, in this pic the grille lines and the headlight lines aren't level. Maybe take the headlight out and see if it is sitting properly, looks kinda turned to me.
Oh, and pics are good, it really helps.

[GruntMoanCough]

Oops, forgot pic....

[NINERS1]

looked at it and you r correct the headlight is a little crooked but the bucket is centered in the rad support bucket. good eye! oh and the headlights are not adj. properly yet, but that won't change the position.