Aftermarket Bmpr Brkt Problems

[71stub]

I bought some aftermarket bumper brackets off ebay for my short fleet and when i put my new bumper up there it sits just about tight against the back of the box just below the taillights and the bumper sits so high i cannot fully lower my tailgate. Has anybody else had this problem? I thought about modifying the brackets but didnt wanna cut a new pair up. How much of a gap should i have between the bedsides and bumper? Is there somebody that makes a good set of reproductions or somebody that has a set of OEM's they would sell me? Thanks for the help in advance!

[tcb-1]

post up a pic of how they are mounted. I've heard of a lot of bumper bracket issues, but this one is the first. stepside or fleet, swb or fleet, 4x or 2x?

[71stub]

I wont have pics until the weekend but its a 71 short fleet with the chrome sport factory bumper. The outer and inner bracket on each side share a bolt and the inner has another bolt farther ahead to itself if that helps any. They look alot like the outer brackets for the front bumper in that they are just C-channel.

[Luvlegs]

Not a chance they ARE front brackets is there?
On my rear brackets, it seemed weird they were angled down kind of.... are the bends in the one bracket (on each side) setting properly "around" the bolt in the crossmember? If you see it, it will make sense what I'm referring to...

(Boy, that all seemed like bs type help didn't it...)

[kcjones]

I got some brackets from LMC, they fit perfectly without any issues, adjustments - I have the same bumper, sits about 1/2 inch away from box.

[Shane]

LMC's brackets for a stepside sport bumper are NOT made correctly. The bumper is located up & down and front to rear correctly as far as spacing is concerned, but the the bumper is not hung correctly as far as the angle. That sounds goofy, but think of looking at a bumper from the side and the section that wraps around the rear of the truck. As opposed to running "flat", then ends turn down.

Gonna take some persuasion from a very large hammer and the Blue Flame wrench to correct.

[1Low53Burb]

What about Jim Carters or Brother's brackets? I'm about to buy brackets and a bumper and don't want any problems.

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by 1Low53Burb

What about Jim Carters or Brother's brackets? I'm about to buy brackets and a bumper and don't want any problems.

If you are getting ready to buy a set of bumper brackets, then I suggest contacting/PM one of these board members/vendors to buy the correct ones.
I bought mine from Tim (Uncle). There's also:

Randy (teeitup)
Bill (billsbowtie)
Wes (Classic Heartbeat)

I would suggest subscribing to the board. You'll find lots of parts for sale and you'll be able to sell extra parts. (the best $25.00 a year you will spend if you plan on keeping your truck) Good Luck.

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by Shane

LMC's brackets for a stepside sport bumper are NOT made correctly. The bumper is located up & down and front to rear correctly as far as spacing is concerned, but the the bumper is not hung correctly as far as the angle. That sounds goofy, but think of looking at a bumper from the side and the section that wraps around the rear of the truck. As opposed to running "flat", then ends turn down.

Gonna take some persuasion from a very large hammer and the Blue Flame wrench to correct.

and I thought I was the only one with that problem too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes they are off by about 5-10 degrees. it doesn't sound like a lot, but it looked like crap!

I solved the issue with a bevel washer. bevel washers are used to create a flat surface for an anchor bolt to mount to on the web of a "c" channel. ask a heavy building supply house for "channel washers" or bevel washers. worked like a charm and the bumper is perfectly flat

[Shane]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

and I thought I was the only one with that problem too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes they are off by about 5-10 degrees. it doesn't sound like a lot, but it looked like crap!

I solved the issue with a bevel washer. bevel washers are used to create a flat surface for an anchor bolt to mount to on the web of a "c" channel. ask a heavy building supply house for "channel washers" or bevel washers. worked like a charm and the bumper is perfectly flat

PM sent.

[LockDoc]

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I used a rear after market sport bumper and brackets with no issues. Sumpthin' funny goin' on there....

LockDoc