help with bumper alignment

[bgood70]

Anyone run into this when installing front bumper? Any tips on best way to go about adjusting? It wants to align to far too drivers side. When I align to passengers side then bolt holes don't seem to line up.

[Greasey Harley]

Best advice I have is to first get all the bolts put in loosely.
Leave lots of slack, don't tighten any bolts until all of them in place.
Next, take them all down to not quit tight and check the alignment.
If it looks good, tighten them all down evenly starting in the middle and working your way to the outside, in an even pattern.

[dan brassard]

if its a repop like mine the holes in the bumper are not centered

[bgood70]

Originally Posted by dan brassard

if its a repop like mine the holes in the bumper are not centered

It is a repop just got from NPD. So if not centered how is it corrected. Can't really drill new holes.

[leddzepp]

Is your frame square?

[hotrodder]

With that much misalignment I think you should check the frame horns. I do body work and I would bet the horns are over to the left. The frame its self is probably not in a diamond . A push with a porta-power jack will do the trick.

[boynton]

I would start by making sure your core support is centered on your frame, if not loosen the core support bolts and push it towards the driver's side and line it up/square it up. it is very easy to get it off center as the holes are 4X bigger than the bolts so that the front end can move around. If you move your core support make sure you check your hood alignment again as it may be off a bit when you move the front end.

If your bumper is bolted into the frame and the frame is not bent, I believe the only issue could be your core support is not centered. Start with a tape mesure and work from there.

[bgood70]

Thanks for all the responses. I will get the tape measure out on see where the issue is. I will post an update on the fix.

[BrianG]

I'll be very interested to see how this turns out. I plan on getting my bumpers from NPD in Michigan. Please keep us informed with what you find. I'd also be interested in what your thoughts about the quality of the bumpers finish it. You can PM me if you'd rather since that is not the subject of this thread and I don't want to redirect your original intention of this thread.

[jeffahart]

First measure the holes in the bumper to the edge of the bumper... make sure it's not the bumper for sure. If they are even on both sides go to work on the horns. That looks like a whole inch off. I would Take two 4x4 blocks drill hole and bolt both to same sides of frame horns. Smack with 20lb sledge until both horns are close... repeat until fit. Also for extra measure you might sick a piece of stock between the frame and strap around the frame where the stock is places just to try to make sure the only thing that moves it the actual horns. But I've pounded and porta powered many a horn with out even thinking twice.

[bgood70]

Update:

First the fit and finish of the NPD bumper are great no issues with the quality. The hole alignments of the bumper are correct also.

I did get the tape measure out and found that my core support was about an 1" off. So I started their. i pull grill back off, loosened core mounts, unbolted front part of fenders and with great encouragement was able to get the core support centered. I then tightened core mounts back up and re-attached fenders. Before going any further I put bumper on to see if it aligned any closer. As expected it was looking pretty close. So I mounted grill snugged everything up and then re-installed bumper again.

I still had one hole at bottom of one of the horns that would not line up. So I need to tweak a bit. As suggested I used a BFH and piece of wood and was able to get it where it needed to be.

Thanks for all the insight and suggestions that is why this is the best forum around. Now on to the next challenge.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by bgood70

Update:

First the fit and finish of the NPD bumper are great no issues with the quality. The hole alignments of the bumper are correct also.

I did get the tape measure out and found that my core support was about an 1" off. So I started their. i pull grill back off, loosened core mounts, unbolted front part of fenders and with great encouragement was able to get the core support centered. I then tightened core mounts back up and re-attached fenders. Before going any further I put bumper on to see if it aligned any closer. As expected it was looking pretty close. So I mounted grill snugged everything up and then re-installed bumper again.

I still had one hole at bottom of one of the horns that would not line up. So I need to tweak a bit. As suggested I used a BFH and piece of wood and was able to get it where it needed to be.

Thanks for all the insight and suggestions that is why this is the best forum around. Now on to the next challenge.

Thank you soo much for the update!!! You gotta love it when this website/bb works this way!