I am on the fence to keep this dealer optioned bumper or not? I like it, but I was only able to straighten it so much even though I am happy with how it came out. Going to have to strip and rhino line or go with a regular chrome bumper.
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
Originally Posted by Ferris Bueller
I am on the fence to keep this dealer optioned bumper or not? I like it, but I was only able to straighten it so much even though I am happy with how it came out. Going to have to strip and rhino line or go with a regular chrome bumper.
If you want to take that last bit of bend out near the weld, get out your O/A torch and heat the area I marked in yellow on both flanges of the channel till red, then let cool. If you support the bumper on the ends with the flanges up when you heat it that will help it straighten it as well. The heated area will shrink and pull it straight. You can do that multiple times till you get it where you want it. I've seen that method work on huge I-beams that were bent, so they were usable again. The labor and gas cost was worth a lot less than buying a new I-beam.
The part that's bent with the flange inside the bend can be straightened on your press with no heat used, stretching the flanges.
Last edited by klhansen; Mon Dec 06 2021 09:11 PM.
Kevin Newest Project - 51 Chevy 3100 work truck. Photos [flickr.com] #2 - '29 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. First car '29 Ford Special Coupe Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
If you want to take that last bit of bend out near the weld
I cut the welds for the gussets and got it the same as the side that had no damage. I have not welded back as I want to test fit once I get the bed back together.
Appreciate the tip. Going to see how it looks with both sides the same first. If still not happy I will try your idea.
I am trying Eastwood's product on this thing. Rust encapsulator. I didn't have much and I am doing this in 1/3's so blasting was not a option.
I am using a pressure washer, then treating with a converter, encapsulating individual pieces, encapsulating again once assembled, and then going over it with a rubberized or bed liner coating.
Put new brakes on when it went together. Pic shows old brakes. I think they might have been original as rear brakes lasted for ever back then and the truck only has 60K.
