FACTORY FLAW??!! need front bumper help... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Riles72 · 01-06-2003, 11:58 PM

I'm in a conundrum! We recently got the truck painted, but the bumper won't lign up correctly. I'm convinced this is a factory flaw, but the bodyshop owner and my dad seem to think differently. Maybe some of you have had the same problem, and if you do in fact know for sure this is a factory flaw, lemme know. What it's doing is there is no gap between the passenger fender and the passenger side of the bumper, but there's a lot of gap on the driver's side. Every truck, regardless of restoration, i've seen have had this same problem. Heck, even my uncle's 70 model that the bumper is beat up on has this same problem...

Someone please set me straight, or prove my gap situation to be in fact from the factory...

Riley

Blackhawkdc · 01-07-2003, 12:05 AM

I dunno if its a factory flaw or not, but the front bumper on my '69 Step is the exact opposite, nearly rubbing on driver's side, 1/2-3/4" gap on passenger side.

crazy longhorn · 01-07-2003, 12:16 AM

If the bumper doesnt look tweeked/bent, I would shim the one side. say if you are 3/4 " off on 1 side, it may only take 3/16-1/4" shim at the end of the frame horn to cure the problem(as you shim 1 side out, the other will tend to move the oposite direction). good luck.....crazyL

**jerry moss** · 01-07-2003, 12:41 AM

i've parted a bunch of these trucks and lots of them had shims factory installed.

Hooter · 01-07-2003, 04:07 AM

I had the same problem. I shimed the bumper like everyone else has already suggested

**PICKMUP** · 01-07-2003, 04:27 AM

Don't worry too much about why...just fix it. We always align them to the body: washers, shims, floor jack, slotted holes. You may have your body off slightly on the frame. Your bumper may be off a little.

bobs409 · 01-07-2003, 09:21 AM

Neither my 69 or 71 have any problems like that. I just put a new bumper on the 69 last summer and all lined up perfectly.

**GMCPaul** · 01-07-2003, 10:01 AM

I can only think of 2 things then for your problem, support shifted to far to passenger side or tweaked frame in front where core support mounts. Have you tried loosening the front core support mounting bolts and shifting the entire front clip the opposite direction yet, you will need to do a front to rear hood adjustment at the same time as it will tighten the gap at the rear on the side you shift the clip? This may require a little different shimming in a few locations at the rear but most likely its the support was installed to far towards the passenger side. This is why Good Restoration shops charge the money they do because its not simply a matter of bolting parts as there is so much leeway that you can slide this or that piece when installing plus the factor of installing shims and everything else. Its like when you hit something and damage your grille and fender but not the core support and you get new pieces and go to put them on and you find the fender to door gap to tight, so now in order to install them you need to loosen the core support on that side and shift it forward.
So if you have pushed bumper as far towards drivers side as possible with the bolts at first just snugged but not fully tightened then I would have to assume my first thoughts a shifted support.

01-06-2003, 11:58 PM	#1
Riles72 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 117	FACTORY FLAW??!! need front bumper help... I'm in a conundrum! We recently got the truck painted, but the bumper won't lign up correctly. I'm convinced this is a factory flaw, but the bodyshop owner and my dad seem to think differently. Maybe some of you have had the same problem, and if you do in fact know for sure this is a factory flaw, lemme know. What it's doing is there is no gap between the passenger fender and the passenger side of the bumper, but there's a lot of gap on the driver's side. Every truck, regardless of restoration, i've seen have had this same problem. Heck, even my uncle's 70 model that the bumper is beat up on has this same problem... Someone please set me straight, or prove my gap situation to be in fact from the factory... Riley __________________ 72 Chevy short stepside 350/350 tilt, vintage air a/c sunset Orange Metallic paint Early Classic 2.5/4 drop eagle series 211 wheels

01-07-2003, 12:05 AM	#2
Blackhawkdc 440 american Horses Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Anoka, MN USA Posts: 470	I dunno if its a factory flaw or not, but the front bumper on my '69 Step is the exact opposite, nearly rubbing on driver's side, 1/2-3/4" gap on passenger side. __________________ Seth Petro 1969 Chev Short Step 425hp 350, TH400, big tires, fast truck 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 1991 Saturn SL1 - gas mileage! (and free) 1977 Buick LeSabre - for sale May America bless God, and may God bless America

01-07-2003, 12:16 AM	#3
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	If the bumper doesnt look tweeked/bent, I would shim the one side. say if you are 3/4 " off on 1 side, it may only take 3/16-1/4" shim at the end of the frame horn to cure the problem(as you shim 1 side out, the other will tend to move the oposite direction). good luck.....crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-07-2003, 12:41 AM	#4
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,936	i've parted a bunch of these trucks and lots of them had shims factory installed. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

01-07-2003, 04:07 AM	#5
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	I had the same problem. I shimed the bumper like everyone else has already suggested __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

01-07-2003, 04:27 AM	#6
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Adjust it Don't worry too much about why...just fix it. We always align them to the body: washers, shims, floor jack, slotted holes. You may have your body off slightly on the frame. Your bumper may be off a little. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

01-07-2003, 09:21 AM	#7
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Neither my 69 or 71 have any problems like that. I just put a new bumper on the 69 last summer and all lined up perfectly. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

01-07-2003, 10:01 AM	#8
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,721	I can only think of 2 things then for your problem, support shifted to far to passenger side or tweaked frame in front where core support mounts. Have you tried loosening the front core support mounting bolts and shifting the entire front clip the opposite direction yet, you will need to do a front to rear hood adjustment at the same time as it will tighten the gap at the rear on the side you shift the clip? This may require a little different shimming in a few locations at the rear but most likely its the support was installed to far towards the passenger side. This is why Good Restoration shops charge the money they do because its not simply a matter of bolting parts as there is so much leeway that you can slide this or that piece when installing plus the factor of installing shims and everything else. Its like when you hit something and damage your grille and fender but not the core support and you get new pieces and go to put them on and you find the fender to door gap to tight, so now in order to install them you need to loosen the core support on that side and shift it forward. So if you have pushed bumper as far towards drivers side as possible with the bolts at first just snugged but not fully tightened then I would have to assume my first thoughts a shifted support. __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM



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