Body alignment

[Jakedog]

I've been moving slow on my '69, but I finally started to mount my winch bumper from WH.
The bumper isn't lining up on the sides of the body.
I have the Bobcat 8274 winch bumper, and the the right side has about 3" of clearance between the bumper and fender.
The left side has about a 1/4".

When I bought the Bronco it had a new frame under it. Is it possible that the body itself can be misaligned?
It seems that would be hard to do because of the way the body mounts are installed.

I'm going to loosen all the body mounts and see if there is anyway that it could be misaligned. It does have some body damage so this might be a real PIA.

I just want to check every possibility before I run off to a frame shop.

Thanks.

 

[m_m70]

The bumper isn't lining up on the sides of the body.

going to assume this is front to back alignment that is off? Was there a bumper on before that did line up?

the right side has about 3" of clearance between the bumper and fender.
The left side has about a 1/4".

That seems like a lot to be just the alignment. Are the body bushings new?

Have you measured the frame horns to see if they're equal???

 

[Pops68]

Pictures without the bumper mounted and pics with it mounted may help pinpoint any issues.

 

[Jakedog]

I'm going to do a lot of measuring today. I need to renew my membership here so I can post pics.
I never noticed if this problem existed with the old bumper.

 

[m_m70]

yeah I would start with looking at the old bumper then measuring the new bumper and if those are "square" move on to the frame. 3" is a lot to not notice and I'm sure you would have seen it with the old bumper (unless of course the old one was modified).

 

[Pops68]

I'm going to do a lot of measuring today. I need to renew my membership here so I can post pics.
I never noticed if this problem existed with the old bumper.

Pretty sure you don't have to be a contributor to post pics......Look at "how to upload photos......" or whatever at the top of the page where you originally posted this thread. Read thru it.

I'm not a "techie" so I am of no help on how to do it.

 

[fordguy]

Pretty sure you don't have to be a contributor to post pics......Look at "how to upload photos......" or whatever at the top of the page where you originally posted this thread. Read thru it.

I'm not a "techie" so I am of no help on how to do it.

Pretty sure it is the opposite, have to be a cont. lol, one of us is right.

 

[Jakedog]

What is the best way to check the frame to see if it's square?
Not sure if this is helping me or not, but I used a plumb bob, and I hung it from a static point on the rear shackle mounts, and then did the same at the forward shackle mounts and then measured diagonally to each point. They were exactly the same.
I figured the next measurement would be from rear shackle to radius arm mount.

The measurements between the frame rails are almost the same. About a 1/16" more in front. Actually slightly less than a 1/16".
My guess is the frame is square.

 

[jeffncs]

Suggestion…. Buy or borrow a framers square long enough to span across the front frame horns. Line up the short side of the square along the frame - are the frame horns the same length? That’ll tell you if your frame horns are out of alignment.

Measure the grill face to the end of the frame horns. That’ll tell if you if the body is close to being aligned to the frame.

Look down the length of the frame on both sides to make sure it’s straight.

Here’s my logic - if body on frame, doors, fender and hood all gapped correctly, the frame was extended (??) of the new bumper is somehow not mounted / aligned correctly.

 

[Pops68]

Pretty sure it is the opposite, have to be a cont. lol, one of us is right.

For the life of me, I can not find the topic I suggested OP look at regarding uploading photos!!!!

I have tried every page I can think of here as I was going to try a screen shot of the appropriate sentences, but NO luck???

 

[Pops68]

FOUND IT!!

 

[Pops68]

I haven't had a Bronco in several years, but still pay my yearly dues to stay a contributor to help maintain the site!!!

But, it doesn't look like a requirement to post pics according to Jon's info.

Still, a good thing to do.

 

[m_m70]

I haven't had a Bronco in several years, but still pay my yearly dues to stay a contributor to help maintain the site!!!

That's cool Pops! This site is the best for sure and has the most knowledgeable Bronco folks that are happy to help anyone with issues or just information.

12.00 per year is dirt cheap. I'd pay that per month as this site has saved me a ton of cash not to mention my time.

 

[DirtDonk]

I haven’t reread the instructions recently, but I thought that it remained the same, where you have to be a contributor to post an image directly from your device to the thread.
You can upload pictures without becoming a contributor, by using your “garage” or “ gallery” functions in your User CP.

 

[Jakedog]

Well, I never updated the status of my frame check. A frame shop confirmed the frame is in good shape. They also checked the body to confirm it was mounted correctly.

They found that the front left had been modified to "fit" on the frame. The driver side core support was moved to fit over the frame so that it could be mounted via the body mount.

I'm at a loss on where to start. I really didn't want to remove all of the sheet metal on the front.
It makes me wonder what other surprises lay ahead if I tear it down.
I knew the body wasn't perfect when I got it.

I knew the driver rocker panel, driver lower quarter, and driver striker post would need replacement.
I wasn't looking to build a show truck. I just wanted a nice Bronco to cruise in town, and be able to go off road for camping and fishing.

I know it's expensive, but I'm the type of person that wants to drive it sooner than later, and I'm willing to spend the money for a new body.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to spend the money for a new body, but looking at what I might be facing, it might be worth it.

Who knows what else has been modified on the body to make it fit the frame.

Sorry for the long reply, but I had to vent and explain the situation.

 

[jamesroney]

Well, I never updated the status of my frame check. A frame shop confirmed the frame is in good shape. They also checked the body to confirm it was mounted correctly.

They found that the front left had been modified to "fit" on the frame. The driver side core support was moved to fit over the frame so that it could be mounted via the body mount.

I'm at a loss on where to start. I really didn't want to remove all of the sheet metal on the front.
It makes me wonder what other surprises lay ahead if I tear it down.
I knew the body wasn't perfect when I got it.

I knew the driver rocker panel, driver lower quarter, and driver striker post would need replacement.
I wasn't looking to build a show truck. I just wanted a nice Bronco to cruise in town, and be able to go off road for camping and fishing.

I know it's expensive, but I'm the type of person that wants to drive it sooner than later, and I'm willing to spend the money for a new body.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to spend the money for a new body, but looking at what I might be facing, it might be worth it.

Who knows what else has been modified on the body to make it fit the frame.

Sorry for the long reply, but I had to vent and explain the situation.

Post a pic, and I can try to give you some advice. It's been 11 months, so it's time to get your project back on track. If you can't post, then just send a pic to my e-mail at jamesroney@yahoo.com

I would normally post your pics for you...but I refuse to pay the membership "fee."

And please put your location in your profile.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Post a pic as stated. That left front body mount might be confusing the body shop. They look bent/modified when they are actually correct. It is at an angle for steering box clearance. So you may be scratching your head at a non-issue.

If you post a location there is a chance one of the gurus that know these things can stop by, look at it for about 20 seconds, and tell you exactly what is going on.

 

[DirtDonk]

In a pinch, James can email them to me, and I can post them up for you.

 

[m_m70]

That left front body mount might be confusing the body shop. They look bent/modified when they are actually correct.

This^^ as was stated, post some pics.

 

[Jakedog]

I will re up my contributor status so I can post photos.