Had the bumper off last weekend before my episode with the truck overheating. I got some carriage bolts to properly deck out the bumper but found out that the frame horn on the passenger side is tweaked. Seems the truck rear ended something or other sort of fender bender.




What are some ideas on working it back straight or is it not really possible?

 

Your best bet is to take it to a frame shop and have it straightened. It appears to be more than just the ear. The forward part of the frame looks bent. Can affect your front end alignment and suspension as well. Are you able to get it aligned? Any pulling or odd tire wear?

Can't hurt to get a quote on straightening the frame. Then you can decide if you want to have it done or attempt a home fix. You're gonna have to be able to apply the same forces in the opposite direction of the forces that caused the bend originally.

Frame shop will use hydraulics to straighten a bent frame. Most diyers don't have access to that kind of equipment.

Let us know what you end up doing.

 

Cant see the picture so I cant say how to go forward with it but ......
Are you putting the same bumper back on you took off just with different bolts?
Did you drive the truck with the bumper off?

If yes to both questions that bumper has to go back on as it came off and you did not hit anything to bend the frame right?
Now that is not to say the frame is not bent, cant see picture, and if it is bent the bumper is also bent.
Now if the bumper is not bent then the frame is most likely not bent also.

My guess not seeing the picture the frame holes are left or right from the bumper holes when you have 1 side bolts in right?
I would say the frame shifted when driving on all the cross members.
If you have someone turn the wheel and watch the frame you will see it move left & right and may see the holes line up.

Mine was bent in I think it was and the bumper was also bent.
Even the parts truck bumper was bent so I took the best of the 2 and straighten it the best I could.
I then matched it up to the frame and using either a come-a-long or ratchet strap to pull it back where it needed to be.
Is it 100% right? Most likely not but it is good enough for me.

BTW if the frame is bent in front of where the spring mounts it will not hurt how the truck drives.
You have leaf springs where do they mount on the front part of the frame?
Again if bent in front of the mount don't worry just drive it.
Dave ----

ps: stop looking for problems or you will never get to drive the truck LOL
pps: you don't need no stinking bumper bolts!


Dave ----

 

I already know all the problems. That is the problem!

I put the bumper back on and had to use the wrong bolts it came with. Not sure if the bumper is tweaked. I would sit straight if you hold one side up but none of the holes lined up. It was just another thing to see if it was a simple fix.

Been doing the simple (supposed to be anyways) repairs on the weekends for the past month. Anything that would increase the quality of life factor and things that should be done regardless. Like the aforementioned radiator flush. Just didn't expect an issue to popup.

Back to the frame horns though. The front shackle for the passenger side leafs is cockeyed since it is mounted at the bit of frame that is tweaked. Shackle looks straight on it's own but you can see the photo that it doesn't hang straight down.

I'll re-attach the photo. It was pasted in rather than the upload tool so possibly could be the issue if some can't see it.

 

So it looks like if you were to bolt the bumper on to the right side the bumper would point to the sky.
I would first check the that frame rail over good to make sure there are no cracks or bends.
If you lay a straight edge on the outside of each frame rail does it sit flat?
Do any of the bumper bolts line up? Like if you were to bolt it to the left side dose 1 of the other bolts look close?

If the rail looks good you can get a length of angle iron and bolt it to the frame horn and bend it back into place.
If you have a plate with holes in it to bolt to the frame then bolt the angle iron to the plate the angle iron will be across like the bumper and you can just push it down to bend back into place.
Once the holes are up & down you may need to push or pull the rail to get it to line up with the bumper holes. This is where the straight edge come into play.
When pushing or pulling you can not do it off the other rail unless it is bent also as it my bend and not the rail you want to move.
Find a telephone pole or tree to use for the pushing / pulling from, it will not move.
I would like to know how it got bent like that?

Does the bumper look like it had been replaced?
Dave ----

 

The only way the bumper will bolt up is by using the bottom hole on the passenger side and top hole on the driver's side. I didn't take a close look for cracks or anything.

Tried to move the bumper on the slots to get little more level but soon as you tighten up, bumper slides back tight up against the frame horns.

I might (MIGHT) play with the idea of cutting off the horns and welding on some new metal. I think of this since I came across a set of weld yourself bumpers. https://www.movebumpers.com/gallery/...f350/1987-1991 No photos of a bullnose but the bricknose is close enough. Welding one of those together would allow for some frame rail modifications. Just need to see how the front spring shackles would play out.

Put that down on my list of things to plan. Engine rebuild is currently underway over the winter months.

 

Search "truck frame straightening" along with your state or city and you should get a dozen or so options to investigate. If it were my truck I'd at least get a few estimates.

 

What do you know, there is a place down the road coincidentally that does frame repair. I'll stop by for a quote.