HELP, Front Bumper Installation Troubles.

[jugernot]

I thought I would be able to throw my bumper on, move it a little to the left, right, up or down to center it and be done with it. BUT.............................


The center top portion of the bumper was tight against the bottom the the grill (good thing I put down a couple layers of painters tape). The center of the bumper needs to come up. But when the four inner botton head bolts are installed they pull the pumper down and it rubs against the grill.

It seems that if I put spacer under the brackets that attach to the top of the frame, it would bring the bumper up, but then the bottom inner botton head bolts won't line up to the frame bolt holes.

I think I will check the core support mounts to make sure the bolts are tightened down, that may bring the front clip down some. But other than that, Im not sure how else to get it to line up.

MAYBE IT IS JUST A POORLY MADE BUMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone got tips on getting the correct gaps and alignment of the bumper.

[lil hoodlum]

I would undo everything. Loosely attach bumper brackets to the frame. Key word is loosely. Also attach the top bumper supports to the bumper with bumper bolts. Now lift and attach the bumper to the frame rails. I had my bumper on my chest or used my shins to help hold it while getting the bolts started. The idea is to get the two inner bolts started. You should have a little room to manuever the bumper around at this point. Once you have the two inner bumper bolts started, you want to get the outer two bumper bolts started. It may take some effort but you should be able to get the two outer bumper brackets in position and get the bumper bolts started. (((I had to install and uninstall mine several times to get it where I wanted it.))) As I recall, the two inner bumber brackets was the most difficult part to get aligned correctly. Once that was in the correct position, I tighten those bolts down and did not need to loosed those anymore.

So yeah, for me it wasn't quite so easy as I thought it would be either. You can do it though.

Good luck!

Keith

[jugernot]

Thanks Keith,

Your description of your installation is pretty much what I did. I started with the top inner brackets and bolts, then the outer brakets and then the inner lower. All of which I left loose. But when I install the lower inner bolts (loosely) the top of the bumper rested ontop of the grill and would no longer move.


I'm Lost??????????

[WarBeard]

This may totally be off topic but A truck we did a while ago...We replaced the rubber body mounts with poly mounts..When we tried to install the bumper it would hit in the same spot where your tape is...The poly mounts were taller than the stock ones.....

We had to take them out and shave them down to get the body a lil bit closer to the frame and then the bumper went on with out a hitch (I mean who needs a hitch on the front anyways)

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by motomech

This may totally be off topic but A truck we did a while ago...We replaced the rubber body mounts with poly mounts..When we tried to install the bumper it would hit in the same spot where your tape is...The poly mounts were taller than the stock ones.....

We had to take them out and shave them down to get the body a lil bit closer to the frame and then the bumper went on with out a hitch (I mean who needs a hitch on the front anyways)

I dont have Poly mounts, but we did recently adjust the front sheet metal. I'll have to check and make sure they are tightened down tomorrow.

Thanks

[jugernot]

I gave it another shot today. The radiator mounts did need a little tightening up. Which gave about 1/8 more room. The bumper is no longer touching the grill, but the bumper is still not centering. It sticks out really far on the drivers side fender and is sits really close on the passenger side fender. it is also sitting high on the drivers side and low on the passenger side. If I move it over I can not install the lower inner bumper bolts.

I was wonder if maybe I should losen the rad support mounts and move the front sheet metal more to the drivers side.

I don't know, I'm lost and frustrated. I was thinking of visiting a classic auto body shop and have them put it on.


I'm sure that there is some other people with some tips, so lets hear them PLEASE.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by jugernot

I thought I would be able to throw my bumper on, move it a little to the left, right, up or down to center it and be done with it. BUT.............................


The center top portion of the bumper was tight against the bottom the the grill (good thing I put down a couple layers of painters tape). The center of the bumper needs to come up. But when the four inner botton head bolts are installed they pull the pumper down and it rubs against the grill.

It seems that if I put spacer under the brackets that attach to the top of the frame, it would bring the bumper up, but then the bottom inner botton head bolts won't line up to the frame bolt holes.

I think I will check the core support mounts to make sure the bolts are tightened down, that may bring the front clip down some. But other than that, Im not sure how else to get it to line up.

MAYBE IT IS JUST A POORLY MADE BUMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone got tips on getting the correct gaps and alignment of the bumper.

Washers & magic.....A good body man, needs to create the illusion of STRAIGHT The front bumper on my 69, was a challenge......(the steel clip tilts, but the bumper dont) The bumper needed to stick out a couple inches farther than stock, & it works?
crazyL

[Livrat]

You may have to loosen the core support and cab mounts and move the cab and nose over to align it.
also did you put in the big flat washers between the bumper upper "L" bracket and bumper? (this pushes the top of the bumper slightly forward and out)

[bajaracing]

I don't have an answer, but just wanted to comment on a great looking truck... Look forward to seeing more pics of it when you get it all figured out.

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by Livrat

You may have to loosen the core support and cab mounts and move the cab and nose over to align it.
also did you put in the big flat washers between the bumper upper "L" bracket and bumper? (this pushes the top of the bumper slightly forward and out)

I'll have to give this a try tomorrow. I may have to double up the washers. I'll tell my wife to eat some wheaties so she can help me push the nose over.

Thanks.

[cdowns]

using engine crane to hang bumper while fooling around under truck is what i use

[jugernot]

I removed the rad support bolts and bottom bushings, but could not get the front clip to move.

what else should I loosen to get the front clip to move? Do I need to loosen every bolt that holds everything together?, IE fenders, inner fenders.


thx

[cleszkie]

Is this an OEM bumper or repop? Repop stuff has been known to fit poorly at times.

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

Is this an OEM bumper or repop? Repop stuff has been known to fit poorly at times.

I wish it was an OEM bumper, but yes it is a reproducation. I don't expect a perfect fix, but would like to get it close enough that it is not totally obvious that the fitment is bad.

Right now there is about 2 to 3 inch difference right to left on the sides next the fender. So I was going to attempt to move the dog house over, but Im not sure if I have to loosen all the bolts holding the front clip together. I could not move the dog house after loosening the rad support bolts.

[jugernot]

Can anyone tell me what I need to do or which bolts to loosen so that I can move the from clip over about an inch?

I have already loosened the rad support bolts.

[FLEET72]

Just curious, have you measured frame horn to fender on each side, are they the same? Have you measured hole placement on the bumper?

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by jugernot

Can anyone tell me what I need to do or which bolts to loosen so that I can move the from clip over about an inch?

I have already loosened the rad support bolts.

If you move the front clip over, wont that screw up all your gaps in the body panels? Front fenders to door gap will change

The top ends of your bumper seemto be alot fatter then mine

[jaros44sr]

Any upate? Just curious where the problem lies.....

[bigsnookmaster]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

Is this an OEM bumper or repop? Repop stuff has been known to fit poorly at times.

X-2 I ended up throwing my Goodmark bumpers in the scrap pile and did a re-chrome on my front and rear GM bumpers. The aftermarket ones didn't fit the front curve of the truck! Much happier with the re-chrome than the aftermarket junk! DON'T move your front end around, as mentioned earlier, it will throw all your body lines off! .02 Good luck!

[lolife99]

I wouldn't jack with the front clip unless the body lines are off.
Get the front clip to where it fits the truck.

I would slot the lower bolt holes on the ends of the frame horns.
This will allow you to bring the bumper up,... and give you some adjustment with the high and low ends of your bumper.
I have 3 trucks with repop front bumpers.
They all fit different.

[jugernot]

the gaps on the front fenders and hood could use a little adjustment anyway. But First thing I plan on doing is getting an OEM pumber and test fitting it to see if the repop bumper I have is bad. If not I may have to loosen the front clip and cab and try to move them both over together.

We'll see...........To Be Continued.

[jugernot]

Yesterday I picked up an original bumper and test fitted it. WOW what a difference. It fits much better side to side. Its close to spot on. I'll need to adjust a little with the up and down. it is higher on one side and sticks out further on the other. It has alot of surface rust, so I will have to have it re-chromed. Im happier with it than the reproduction bumper. I realize that haveing it re-chromed will cost twice a much as the repop, but it will be worth it.