I am replacing my bent OEM front bumper. Anybody got tips or instructions? While I'm in there I am going to replace my broken fog light brackets. Had a chance encounter with a Deer, dead center between the tow hooks.

Thanks for any advice so I can avoid some skinned knuckles ! I won't be back on line till late tomorrow but will check for help then ! Thanks in advance.

 

It is easy.. just remove the 4 large nuts next to your tow hooks.. I always wrap the ends of the bumper with tape or something to protect from scratching the bumper when you finally get the nuts loose.. The ends will want to go up and hit the fender paint..

 

Just like Clint says its easy just loosen all 4 bolts by the tow hooks. I used a bucket, remove one bolt from both sides and then the other bolt and place one side of the bumper on the bucket then the other bolt and done.

 

Just make sure the brackets holding the bumper on aren't bent. One of mine was when I had a chance encounter with a Buick. Makes the bumper lower on on side.

 

Dont forget about the two bolts(one on each side) that holds the brace brakets for the outter ends of the bumper.

 

Don't forget about the two side braces on the ends behind the bumper - one bolt per bracket on each end. A second person is a great help when you break loose the last bolt, and the bumper really is not heavy at all, just very awkward.

On re-installation, I personally use a 1/4" thick X 1/2" wide X 10" long piece of wood as a spacer to get an even gap between the bumper and hte grill & head lights. I place the stick under the inside corner of one head light assembly and push the bumper up until it holds the stick in place... then tighten one bolt on that side's tow hook and set the gap on the other side the same way.

Before tightening all the bolts, though, also check your end-to-end alignment with the fender panels and make any necessary tweaks to your alignment accordingly.

Then, tighten the four tow hook bolts and the two end bracket bolts and your done.

 

I guess it depends on the model year.. my early 99 doesn't have these two bolts on the ends... just the 4 large nuts next the hooks..

 

I have a '03 and it has them. Didnt know the earlier PSD's didnt.

 

Thanks to all !!!! I'll jump on it when I get my replacement Fog Lights and brackets. They got slammed too. Sounds like it won't be bad. I'll report back when finished. Got the bumper haven't ordered the fog lights yet. Again, thanks folks.

 

Well, got it all finished up today. New bumper, valance, air dam and fog lights. Thanks to King0851 for fog lights and advice from FTE. It wasn't bad at all. Its nice to have the 250 back in fighting trim. Thanks to all !

 

It nice when a plan come together and you got her back on the road..

 

Glad you got it done Bob.

 

Any tips on air dam removal?

 

Looking to add some LED marker lights to the air dam. Just wonderng if here are ay hidden tabs etc. I need to worry about in removing it?

 

Nothing to it really. When you get under the truck you can see all the fasteners and how they come off. When you are putting it back on an extra set of hands is helpful but not necessary. Go for it !