I need some advice...I bought a chromed bumper to replace the ''57-'58 flat bumper on the front of my pickup. turns out they don't attach right to the frame rails, there are brackets! Thanks to Number Dummy I was able to buy (apparently) the last drivers side bracket in the United States. Thanks!

I had the passenger side bracket made using my NOS bracket because there were none of those anywhere and I searched salvage yards online from coast to coast and border to border!

Today (Labor Day) I go to mount my my front bumper! The old one comes off in about 5 minutes (i'd had it off before), I mount my brackets and when I lined up the bumper holes to the brackets I'm about an 1/8" short! Both brackets holes line up perfectly when I hold them together to eyeball them.

The advice that I'd like is this: do I do what I think the previous owner did and get a come along, wrap it around the frame horns and tighten it up until the bolts fall right in OR do I cut the holes on my (rare) brackets into slots so the bolts line up without messing with the frame?

Thanks in advance for any advice/experience.

dcmana

 

Are you saying the frame rails are spread 1/8" outward from each other? If so, can you mount to the bumper first (loosely) and then to the frame loosely. Tighten up at the bumper and then the frame to see if it pulls it in line? You may want to alternate between the bumper bolts and the frame bolts. I've never put an aftermarket bumper on a vehicle that lined up perfectly, especially a vehicle this old. If one side of the frame is bent out, you may have a difference in gap between the driver's and passengers side. (off center)

 

That sounds like a much easier method than I was thinking, Martin. Basically, I could pull the frame horns together with the bracket bolts. I bet that'd work-I'll let you know. I've put away my toys and tools for the day but I'm going to try this one day after work this week. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks!

 

Sounds like you are replacing the original bumper with a newer cotoured bumper, which in my opinion will ruin the look of the truck.

 

Can you post a picture of your new bumper once it is installed? I plan on installing a contoured bumper also and want to see how well it fits against the front. I want to make sure mine is tight.

 

Actually, Hotfalcoon my truck is a '59 and was born with the contour bumper. A previous owner or the restorer mounted the incorrect '57-'58 bumper. BTW, I have one for sale now, if you're interested! Martin, I sure will post some pictures! Thanks.

 

I wasn't trying to bash your truck in any way, I thought your truck was a '58 but since it is a '59 it should have the correct bumper. Just like to see these trucks getting some attention and getting back on the road.

 

1957/58 F100/350 bumper is different than 1959/60 F100/350 bumper.