What's up with my bumper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ryanmctee · 08-09-2012, 12:29 PM

This is driving me crazy. Please take a look at my old bumper and my new one. The new bumper sits too high on the drivers side (it actually touches the bottom of the grill.) I have had the bumper off twice now, and still can't get it to sit even. Everyone says that the outer brace on the drivers side is bent, but I'm here to say it isn't. Does anyone have a suggestion to get this to set level? Help - Ryan

Rusbuilt · 08-09-2012, 12:34 PM

I'm kinda having the same issue. My frame on the driver side where the bumper connects is bent upward slightly, I had to modify my mounts some on both sides to make it look straight. My bumper will sit up a little higher than stock but it will be straight!

Catch_22 · 08-09-2012, 12:38 PM

Is the bumper twisted? It looks to me it was twisted up, in shipping possibly.

**RenoKeene** · 08-09-2012, 12:39 PM

If you have all the bolts loose and still can't get it where you want it then you probably do have something bent, if not a brace then a frame rail, or maybe even the bumper. By all the bolts I mean the ones that hold the bumper to the braces too.

ryanmctee · 08-09-2012, 12:39 PM

Thanks. What mounts did you modify? Where the bumper mounts to the frame it seems there is no adjustment at all.

Rusbuilt · 08-09-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

Thanks. What mounts did you modify? Where the bumper mounts to the frame it seems there is no adjustment at all.

I made all my holes bigger where I could adjust the bumper around. Thats what helped me.

ryanmctee · 08-09-2012, 12:50 PM

I'm wondering if the bumper was bent in shipping. It doesn't look like it, but it definately doesn't sit right on the truck. You can see in the original picture that the bumper is bent on the drivers side, so maybe the frame is a little bent? Maybe I can fab up something to pull the bumper down on the drivers side....

Catch_22 · 08-09-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

I'm wondering if the bumper was bent in shipping. It doesn't look like it, but it definately doesn't sit right on the truck. You can see in the original picture that the bumper is bent on the drivers side, so maybe the frame is a little bent? Maybe I can fab up something to pull the bumper down on the drivers side....

A steel measuring tape and a bubble level/laser level will tell you for sure.

rsavage · 08-09-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catch_22

A steel measuring tape and a bubble level/laser level will tell you for sure.

A level will only help if the ground that the truck is sitting on is level to start with though.

Gobbles · 08-09-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsavage

A level will only help if the ground that the truck is sitting on is level to start with though.

An easy fix is to use your level to find a nice even spot, or take the bumper off and put it on something level, either would work but taking the bumper off would likely give a more reliable measurement.

71swb4x4 · 08-09-2012, 07:15 PM

Loosen ALL of the bolts, and get it sitting decent with a helper and tighten each bolt a little at a time going back and forth and see if that helps.

BLAZERMAN · 08-09-2012, 11:18 PM

It looks to me like its drawn in farther on the drivers side giving the illusion that it's crooked. I've had to shim several new bumpers for that very same problem, just used washers between the bumper and frame horns till it matched on both sides.
Posted via Mobile Device

sbc10guy · 08-09-2012, 11:21 PM

I had the same problem, it even wore a spot in my grill. I used a few spacers in different areas and tightened all the bolts evenly and slowly and eventually got it perfect. I thought something was bent at first too. I would mess with it a bit and see what you can come up with.

ryanmctee · 08-10-2012, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the ideas of shimming with washers. So simple. I messed with it a little last night and got it better, but not perfect. I will try again with the washers and see what happens. God I love this board!! Thanks.

cdowns · 08-10-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

Thanks. What mounts did you modify? Where the bumper mounts to the frame it seems there is no adjustment at all.

drill holes and reposition bumper for proper alignment insert bolts and tighten

08-09-2012, 12:29 PM	#1
ryanmctee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Gardnerville Nevada Posts: 270	What's up with my bumper This is driving me crazy. Please take a look at my old bumper and my new one. The new bumper sits too high on the drivers side (it actually touches the bottom of the grill.) I have had the bumper off twice now, and still can't get it to sit even. Everyone says that the outer brace on the drivers side is bent, but I'm here to say it isn't. Does anyone have a suggestion to get this to set level? Help - Ryan Attached Images __________________ Check out my build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512620

08-09-2012, 12:34 PM	#2
Rusbuilt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 5,381	Re: What's up with my bumper I'm kinda having the same issue. My frame on the driver side where the bumper connects is bent upward slightly, I had to modify my mounts some on both sides to make it look straight. My bumper will sit up a little higher than stock but it will be straight! __________________ -Rus PLEASE HELP WITH PROJECT UNDERHAULINPaypal donations accepted @ rus1785@yahoo.com Rusbuilt's garage 1968 Chevy C-30 Darcy SOLD Rusbuilt shop truck *SOLD*

08-09-2012, 12:38 PM	#3
Catch_22 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Nashville Posts: 79	Re: What's up with my bumper Is the bumper twisted? It looks to me it was twisted up, in shipping possibly.

08-09-2012, 12:39 PM	#4
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,022	Re: What's up with my bumper If you have all the bolts loose and still can't get it where you want it then you probably do have something bent, if not a brace then a frame rail, or maybe even the bumper. By all the bolts I mean the ones that hold the bumper to the braces too. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

08-09-2012, 12:39 PM	#5
ryanmctee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Gardnerville Nevada Posts: 270	Re: What's up with my bumper Thanks. What mounts did you modify? Where the bumper mounts to the frame it seems there is no adjustment at all. __________________ Check out my build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512620

08-09-2012, 12:50 PM	#7
ryanmctee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Gardnerville Nevada Posts: 270	Re: What's up with my bumper I'm wondering if the bumper was bent in shipping. It doesn't look like it, but it definately doesn't sit right on the truck. You can see in the original picture that the bumper is bent on the drivers side, so maybe the frame is a little bent? Maybe I can fab up something to pull the bumper down on the drivers side.... __________________ Check out my build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512620

08-09-2012, 07:15 PM	#11
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: What's up with my bumper Loosen ALL of the bolts, and get it sitting decent with a helper and tighten each bolt a little at a time going back and forth and see if that helps. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

08-09-2012, 11:18 PM	#12
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: What's up with my bumper It looks to me like its drawn in farther on the drivers side giving the illusion that it's crooked. I've had to shim several new bumpers for that very same problem, just used washers between the bumper and frame horns till it matched on both sides. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

08-09-2012, 11:21 PM	#13
sbc10guy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin Posts: 415	Re: What's up with my bumper I had the same problem, it even wore a spot in my grill. I used a few spacers in different areas and tightened all the bolts evenly and slowly and eventually got it perfect. I thought something was bent at first too. I would mess with it a bit and see what you can come up with. __________________ 1969 shortbed c/10 1998 GMC sierra

08-10-2012, 02:38 PM	#14
ryanmctee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Gardnerville Nevada Posts: 270	Re: What's up with my bumper Thanks for the ideas of shimming with washers. So simple. I messed with it a little last night and got it better, but not perfect. I will try again with the washers and see what happens. God I love this board!! Thanks. __________________ Check out my build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512620



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