Thoughts on bumper alignment

[duaneo]

Folks,

I've got quite a difference in the bumper spacing between driver and passenger side. I thought it was my bent bumper, but I replaced that, and the spacing is basically the same. Any thoughts on what might be the issue? The leading edge of the frame looks the same between the driver and passenger sides.

Before bumper:


After Bumper:


Driver side: (ignore that guy in the reflection)


Passenger side:


The ironic thing is that I think I have a ground issue in the driver side indicator, and I can't take the stupid thing out without loosening/removing the bumper. Ain't that just about a pain in the butt!?!?

Cheers,
Duane

[MAK]

I started remounting my radiator support and inner fender aprons this past weekend. The thing that comes to mind based on what I see with mine is that the radiator support is further from the cab on one side than the other. There is a good bit of play available due to hole size and then that affects the forward position of the aprons and fenders and stone guard. I'm not sure it would add up to more than an inch of movement on one side if the radiator support was all the way forward in the hole and then the stone guard all the way forward, etc but if the opposite side is pushed back it could certainly be the problem.

[Heirloom]

The thing that comes to mind based on what I see with mine is that the radiator support is further from the cab on one side than the other. There is a good bit of play available due to hole size and then that affects the forward position of the aprons and fenders and stone guard. I'm not sure it would add up to more than an inch of movement on one side if the radiator support was all the way forward in the hole and then the stone guard all the way forward, etc but if the opposite side is pushed back it could certainly be the problem.

Bingo. If the frame is straight, the bumper is the right size/shape and the holes in the bumper are in the right locations, then the whole front end needs to be readjusted at least. It might lead to needing to move the cab and bed to get it all to look right again. A job like that makes you consider just painting the whole thing since you have to go through all that anyhow.

[Calfdemon]

Or it might something as simple as your bumper mount attached to the front of the frame is bent. Based on the bend on your previous bumper, that is probably the case. Someone probably hit something causing that bumper to bend, but also bending your bumper mount. Take the bumper off and look at both mounts as they are attached to your frame and see if they are both positioned in the same fashion. I had a bent one on my crew cab which resulted in the same situation you have. I was able to bend my driver's side mount out some and made the alignment issues a lot better... If you cannot get your bumper mount to where you want it, you can always get another one from another bump.

[duaneo]

Thanks gents. When I pull the bumper again to mess with the driver side light, I'll take a close look at the bumper mounts.

I'll update again when I know more.

Cheers,
Duane

[Heirloom]

Bumper bolts right to the frame horns on f100/250 2wd models. 4x4 and f350 up had brackets iirc

[MAK]

Bumper bolts right to the frame horns on f100/250 2wd models. 4x4 and f350 up had brackets iirc

Yeah, I was starting to wonder if mine was missing some brackets or something. Mine is straight to the frame. No adjustment possible.

[duaneo]

BUUUUT now that you mention it, some washers could help put some space between the driver side bumper and the frame rail.

Cheers,
Duane

[Calfdemon]

Ah, okay.. Well mine is a 350, hence the brackets. But all the same, it could be bent and need to be bent back to the proper location. Bracket or no bracket, a bend in the mounting area would have the same effect.