The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Front bumper fit - is it always a _____!

I'm new to the hobby....so going to all of the experienced folks on Stovebolt for inpu/advice. I went to install new front bumper on my 54'....and wow....is it turning into an ordeal to get to fit all the bumper bolts.

I can tell from the old bumper that it too was a challenge by the way the bolts were orientated. Is there some good tips on best way to fit? Right now I have all bolts in with the exception of the 2nd bolt from the right...and it's way off.

Also, the trim piece between bumper and grill is fiberglass(!)....and is broken....that had to have been steel from factory, correct?

Thanks in advance!

Kevin

Must have had an accident at some point and brackets are bent out of shape. Get/borrow a pair to compare.

That's what I thought as well....and did fit new repro brackets with same result. Given age of truck.....it's entirely possible an accident happened at some point and that's what's making it so difficult.

You are correct on the front gravel panel they are all steel. When you fit it up did you leave the bolts loose or tighten as you go? They are all off a bit when going from old to new. When you say far out, how much are we talking about? If all make but one try fitting that one first and then the rest leaving them loose, mine required a bit of work, you can also loosen the attachment bolts to the frame, make them all then tighten everything up.

Good mention on leaving the bolts loose where the brackets meet the frame, some times it takes that to get all the bolts in and started in the spring steel bumper.

Thanks for confirming the front panel was steel from factory. Am I mistaken that you can by replacements in steel or fiberglass? I don't want fiberglass, but thought I saw it listed in classic auto parts catalog.

I'm going back out today after a good night sleep and try again. I'm hoping some combination of bolt loosening at frame and bumper will get it done. I'd say the bumper bracket is approx 1 inch to the right of the bumper hole. With most of the other bolts...while in place....are not straight in.

Oh, silly question....what's with bumper hole straight on with nothing to go into. Doesn't fit bumper bracket or gravel panel...at least not the one I removed.

Thanks!

The original front pan had a center "L" bracket that the the center bumper bolt went through. A least on the AD trucks it did.

Steel reproduction front panels are available.

Do you have the bumper brackets inside the frame or outside the frame. Might you have them on up-side-down?

The vestigial bumper hole.

I have the brackets outside the frame with the manufactured bump fitting into corresponding indent on frame. Is that correct?

Thanks for the link on the info on middle hole of the bumper. I have so much to learn about these incredible machines. I'm thankful for the people at the Bolt willing to share their wisdom.

Kevin

You will find that one inch out to be make able with everything loose. I had a couple with that kind of distance, it fits and now it pops right on and off without much trouble. I have found that when fitting parts to the trucks with multiple attachment points like grill, fenders, bumpers, window trim, etc. getting everything started and left loose often does the trick. Good luck!

The 1947-53 Advance-Design front splash apron has the center tab, but the 1954/55st Advance-Design front apron did not have the tab.

I used the method Brad described.

One thing I did do was used some longer bolts from the hardware store, started with the long bolts where the bracket attaches to the frame with the nut just started. This gave me more play on the brackets.

Then started on the bumper bolts also using longer bolts.

Once I got a nut on everything I started to draw it in evenly

I aslo had to use a tie down ratchet strap on the bracket to get the last hole lined up and the bolt started.

Once everything was snug I changed the long bolts out for the supplied button head bumper bolts one for one.

Good Luck

Thanks Tim!!

Bumper brackets are made of mild steel not spring steel. They
can be bent or should I say straightened quite easily by
clamping a bar to the bracket for leverage and bending it to
where you want it. All of the bumper brackets that I've
installed, front's and rears, new or old on my '50 and my '54
needed to be adjusted a bit to get the holes to line up
properly.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks, Denny. I plan on tackling next weekend....ended up scratching a few less "irritating" to do's from my list...haha!

Wow! My truck fought me tooth and nail on just about everything, but for some reason the bumpers and bumper brackets went on easily. I feel blessed. Good luck, 66kcode!