Sport bumpers, Tailgates, and tucking the rear bumper

[smashingchuck]

Alright, I'll let the pictures do most of the talking here, but I've got the bumper about where I want it. Right before the tailgate gets "all the way" down, it hits the bumper, but only in the middle. Has everyone that tucked there bumper had this problem? I can't tell if there is something wrong with my gate (I suspect that it might be stamped wrong because one of the lines in the inset part disapears for a while, causing it to bow out, maybe?? ) Also it look like in the middle of the bumper it turns up, which I can fix, I just need to figure out what to attack first.

discuss.....

[bigblock73]

Put a 4 foot level on the gate and also on the bumper...something is off.

PS - I like the shaved bumper bolts (something I am doing as well). Are you chroming the bumper or painting it?

[smashingchuck]

Jeff-
Although I only have a picture of the driver side, the passenger side is a mirror image. The gate is only kissing the bumper in the middle.

I hope to get the bumper rechromed if I can find a place to do it. So far I haven't had much luck.

I was looking at this other picture I took... looks like the bumper itself is tweaked up in the middle... is this factory, or is it just something special the boys over in Taiwan helped me out with? When I mounted it, i went off the ends of the bumper and the bedsides, and the mounts are only clamped in place.

[crawdadfox]

I think all the sport style bumpers have a crown in the center. I was able to adjust some of the crown out by tightening the center bolts and then used a floor jack to raise the ends and then tighten up the outer braces, not perfect but alot better.

[smashingchuck]

yeah I see what you mean.... but you're right yours does still have a crown in it too. Thanks for the pics they make me fell a little better. I still think my tail gate might be is messed up a little, too.

Sweet truck, BTW.

[LEEVON]

I put a sport bumper on yesterday and had the same problem. i had to adjust it all the way down and the gap is awful looking, but it was hitting the tailgate right in the middle. I'm glad it's just a driver or it would make me crazy.

[boatpuller]

yes,i think they do crown.i can't even open mine.i have no need to open it. so i just go over the side....do you reall y need a functional tailgate on a lowered rig ? just something to ask yourself.

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I put a sport bumper on yesterday and had the same problem. i had to adjust it all the way down and the gap is awful looking, but it was hitting the tailgate right in the middle. I'm glad it's just a driver or it would make me crazy.

That's just flat out not an option... this is not a driver.

Originally Posted by boatpuller

yes,i think they do crown.i can't even open mine.i have no need to open it. so i just go over the side....do you reall y need a functional tailgate on a lowered rig ? just something to ask yourself.

Thats what my Dad keeps telling me... but I like the looks of a functional tailgate - it breaks it up a little. Plus I'm not really sure how the gate would look welded in. I think at that point I would have to weld in a roll pan (and keep the bumper) to fill the gap below the gate, and I'm not sure how it would look with the recessed area in the gate. I really don't like the looks of the completely flat tailgate- just a little too smooth, and I think they make the rear of the truck look too wide.

Maybe someone could do a photo chop of the gete welded in and the area below it filled? hint hint

[boxrodz]

smashingchuck,

Either way, I think you're gonna have to straightened out the bumper. Otherwise, the crown may be noticeable. (Your son may end up giving you the evil eye for uneven lines. ) I agree that the rear of these trucks look fat when they are lowered, but IMO that's a function of them being lower to the ground.

Here's a quick p'chop:

[Cherub]

you cant flatten out the crown with some love taps??

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by Cherub

you cant flatten out the crown with some love taps??

I'm trying to figure out where to put it so i can bolt it to the frame. Nothing but c-clamps holding it on at the moment.

[Driveway Dreams]

I think you just need to get the Bumper where it sits well, and is straight. And then, like Boatpuller said, you probably don't need to be able to use the gate. But I don't think that means it has to be rendered useless. If it is all so tight that you can not open it with out rubbing then just don't open it.