Correct Front Bumper Brackets?

[DransportGarage]

I have a '55 3100 2nd series that I bought pretty much disassembled. I'm doing the final fit on my front sheet metal. Even though nothing could possibly be wrong, I decided to check the fit of the front bumper. Right.

Anyway, the center-to-center distance of the square holes in my bumper is 35-3/4"; The center-to-center distance of the slots in the brackets is 36-3/4". The bumper can't be mounted, even after heating and beating the bracket in the picture to the tune of about 1/4".

I checked the frame width (34-1/8") against the shop manual (34"), and that's not the problem.

So, my question is, which is wrong for my truck, the bumper or the brackets -- or both? ...or something else?

[idbeast]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

So, my question is, which is wrong for my truck, the bumper or the brackets -- or both? ...or something else?

Some one boxed your frame and welded nuts on the inside of your frame, the nuts need to be removed and your bumper brackets need to go on the inside of your frame rails, not the outside.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by idbeast

Some one boxed your frame and welded nuts on the inside of your frame, the nuts need to be removed and your bumper brackets need to go on the inside of your frame rails, not the outside.

I'm laughing hysterically! One more ridiculously stupid revelation on this build and there's going to be a fire sale!

[mr48chev]

Snagged from the net and as the truck looks slightly familiar it might belong to someone on here. Frame is boxed and the nuts are welded on but comparing the two I think your brackets just need adjusting.

[DransportGarage]

In the interest of full disclosure:

I was the one that boxed the frame. I looked at my "day 2" pictures, and I did it to myself, about 5 years ago. It's no excuse that the bumper wasn't mounted when I bought the truck. My clue was, when I looked at the welds a few minutes ago, they're only on the front of the nut. If they would have been welded on before boxing they would almost certainly been welded on two sides. At least they'll be easy to cut off.

Thanks much to idbeast. Now you can all laugh hysterically.

[idbeast]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

In the interest of full disclosure:

I was the one that boxed the frame. I looked at my "day 2" pictures, and I did it to myself, about 5 years ago. It's no excuse that the bumper wasn't mounted when I bought the truck. My clue was, when I looked at the welds a few minutes ago, they're only on the front of the nut. If they would have been welded on before boxing they would almost certainly been welded on two sides. At least they'll be easy to cut off.

Thanks much to idbeast. Now you can all laugh hysterically.

No, I won't laugh, we all do some things without realizing it!!! If you look at your day 2 pic, you will see the area on the inside of the frame where the bracket goes, just so you know I went out to the 59 frame and looked and took pics just to be sure!!!!

[mr48chev]

It looks like your truck has an independent front end under it and who ever did it thought that removing the forged/cast bracket that the spring shackle bushing and the holes that the bumper bracket bolts normally go though in a misguided attempt at "cleaning it up". Then they boxed it for some unknown reason but probably again to "clean it up" rather than strength.

[dsraven]

my original 57 bumper brackets bolted to the outside of the frame. since my frame is now an donor from another vehicle I have had to work some magic to make the bumper fit again. in doing that I noticed the brackets could be flipped and used on the opposite side but backwards, to keep the bumper right side up. maybe that is what happened? right on left side?

[dsraven]

sorry, this last post of mine went through late for some reason. ya, inside of frame.....sorry didn't catch that one. good job boys.
grinder and a zip disc (small one) or torch them off carefully (the nuts).maybe trim off that peice of frame boxing for access.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by dsraven

sorry, this last post of mine went through late for some reason. ya, inside of frame.....sorry didn't catch that one. good job boys.
grinder and a zip disc (small one) or torch them off carefully (the nuts).maybe trim off that peice of frame boxing for access.

I'm a zip disk guy. Looks like I got off unscathed...

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by dsraven

my original 57 bumper brackets bolted to the outside of the frame. since my frame is now an donor from another vehicle I have had to work some magic to make the bumper fit again. in doing that I noticed the brackets could be flipped and used on the opposite side but backwards, to keep the bumper right side up. maybe that is what happened? right on left side?

If there's a way to do it, I always seem to install things backwards. I did that in this case too, so at least by the time I took the picture I had that mistake behind me.

[mongocanfly]

id just make some new brackets to fit the bumper and call it good........

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

id just make some new brackets to fit the bumper and call it good........

I could do that too. I've got some 3/8" plate laying here. I do feel a lot better knowing the error of my ways. I'll report back after the fix is in, but it'll be a short while. I'm having deviated septum surgery tomorrow.

Thanks again to everyone!

[dsraven]

check out post 41 on this build. it shows the original brackets still on the frame. maybe help you some when you get back to the shop.
good luck with the surgery and recovery, hope it went well.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=671001&page=2

[mr48chev]

Well if you don't make a mistake once in a while you aren't doing anything.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Well if you don't make a mistake once in a while you aren't doing anything.

So true!

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

So true!

That is the reason I know what I do, I have already made most of the mistakes at least once and some more than once when I forgot that I did it the first time.