How does the bumper brackets go on a 54 F-100? It looks that 2 holes on the top of the bumper go straight to the frame, then the bracket attaches to the lower part of the bumper, but there's a huge gap between the frame and the bracket? Whats wrong?

 

Hi,
When I installed my new front bumper and brackets there was a gap between the frame and the bracket. The bolts were just long enough for the nuts to catch some thread and I just tightened until it all came together. I had the same concern, but in the end it all went together nicely.
Jeff

 

So there is tension on them once you tighten them up??? That can't be good?

 

The stress is on the frame horns, brackets, bolts, and the bumper. I am no expert in materials science, but I don't think that the frame horns will deform significantly when you tighten the thing up. The bolts would take a lot of shearing force to cause a problem. I believe that the brackets are the part of the system that will deform the most to make the thing come together, but they don't need to move far, and the system is still secure and not a safety hazard.
Your situation may be more pronounced than mine. If you feel like there is something that is just plain wrong, you might call the vendor and see what they say.
Jeff

 

vendor? it's the original shtuff!

well it came with the truck when i bought it, all restored...

theres maybe 1/4" gap...it;s been off for so long i cant remember how it was when i took it off!