Front Bumper Adjustment

My front bumper is off just enough to bug me.  Most people don't notice, but I do, and I want to get it perfect.  One side is pushed in (or pulled out) just a little more than the other side.

I can see that the front bumper is bolted to the frame horns with four threaded bolts.  What is the best way to go about *slightly* adjusting the fore and aft position of the bumper?  Is this something I can do by myself?

Washers?

Really?  Is that how you adjust the bumper?

I was thinking there was a bit more to it than that.

1986F150Six wrote

Washers?

Yes, that was going to be my suggestion as well.  And I think you can easily do it yourself by:
 

Loosening all the nuts on the side that needs to be shimmed, but not on the other side as that may cause your bumper to tilt.

Removing one nut & bolt entirely

Pulling the bumper forward enough to slip one or more washers between it and the frame.  I think I'd do the bolt that is horizontal first as the amount of washers needed will be more obvious with it.

Put that bolt through and put the nut on

 

Repeat for the other bolt(s)

I will try that.

Thanks!

LARIAT 85 wrote

What is the best way to go about *slightly* adjusting the fore and aft position of the bumper?

A landscape timber, or other long beam...  This shows how I straightened the bumpers on my dually:



You might be able to simply use it as a long prybar (between the bumper & tire) to bend the bumper forward.

LARIAT 85 wrote

Is this something I can do by myself?

IDK - is that something you can do by yourself?

Thanks, Steve.  But the bumper itself is not bent.  

When I asked if it is something I can do "myself," I meant can ONE MAN with ONE SET OF HANDS do this.  The bumper is pretty heavy and awkward.  

I know.  But only you can answer what YOU can do.  I do virtually all my own work, including cutting vehicles apart & loading them by hand onto trailers.  So yes; it CAN be done by one person.  So can playing a piano, but I can't do that.

The stock front bumper is probably >40 lbs, and only 74" wide.  Is that something you can handle?  If not: do you have a ratchet strap, floor jack, engine hoist, or some cardboard boxes to put under it?

LARIAT 85 wrote

Thanks, Steve.  But the bumper itself is not bent.  

When I asked if it is something I can do "myself," I meant can ONE MAN with ONE SET OF HANDS do this.  The bumper is pretty heavy and awkward.

It can be done by yourself as I have put it on and off many times when customizing both the front & rear.

Now if you loosen 1 side, I think you will need to loosen both sides, and pull it out to stick the washer(s) between bumper & frame the other side will move in and could hit the body and scratch & dent it so be careful.
Dave ----

ps: the bumper was just placed on the truck along with the grille & head light doors.

LARIAT 85 wrote

Thanks, Steve.  But the bumper itself is not bent.  

When I asked if it is something I can do "myself," I meant can ONE MAN with ONE SET OF HANDS do this.  The bumper is pretty heavy and awkward.

 
If you have a floor jack, balance the bumper on it.

I am so with you on this!  Mine has been bugging me for years but my nuts are rusted on.  Probably have to spray some PB Blaster on them and try to adjust this someday.  IMO, my truck looks a little droopy on the passenger side.  I think it happened when I hit the trailer a couple years ago.  

I never thought of the idea of using a jack to hold it up after loosening.  Sometimes the simplest idea eludes me.

For your rusted nuts - Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment

Gary Lewis wrote

For your rusted nuts - Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment

For those living under a rock, all of this comes from the movie Cars.  In the first movie Rust-eze is owned by "Clink and Clank", who are none other than Click & Clack the Tappet Brothers, whose real life names are/were Tom and Ray Magliozzi.  They not only were the inspiration for Clink and Clank, but were the voices for them as well.

If you haven't ever listened to an episode of Car Talk you haven't lived.  Their wit as well as their humor was wonderful.  And, they could also solve automotive problems as well.  (Wouldn't it be neat to have a forum like that?  )

 Here's the Rust-eze Pledge from the movie, and was surely written by Tom and/or Ray:

"Get speedy, soothing, wonderful relief from the pain and discomfort of rust. Fast-acting Rust-eze contains up to 2 1/2 more Eze for quick soothing relief. We promise."
—Clink and Clank