Aligning the factory front bumper (1999)

[mrsingh]

So ever since I have had my 4Runner, the alignment of the front bumper has been off. The previous owner (my uncle) had a low speed accident in the truck about 8 years ago,~$1500 in damage. I have always assumed that the brackets on the bumper brackets were bent, and at some point I would eventually replace the bumper.



Well the day has arrived where I scored a new (used) bumper, coated it with Rustoleum Bedliner and installed it.



However, the new bumper is even more misaligned than it was before. Is there any way to adjust the brackets to fix the alignment of the bumper, or am I better off visiting a body shop and seeing what they can do?



Thanks!

 

[Brilliant]

Only 6 bolts. How I do it: I get the bumper on with the ends started and the bumper support 4 bolts snug enough to hold the weight. With this, you can tip the bumper up down and get it set. Tighten down the main supports, then do the ends just snug enough.

 

[mrsingh]

Only 6 bolts. How I do it: I get the bumper on with the ends started and the bumper support 4 bolts snug enough to hold the weight. With this, you can tip the bumper up down and get it set. Tighten down the main supports, then do the ends just snug enough.

Hmm, that is how I did it, bottom four 14mm bolts first. I did notice the that two bolts that you access from the wheel wells were tilted up at an angle as I tightened them down. I will try and get a couple more friends to help me lift the bumper as I am doing it, see if i can get those bolts level as I tighten them.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Hmm, that is how I did it, bottom four 14mm bolts first. I did notice the that two bolts that you access from the wheel wells were tilted up at an angle as I tightened them down. I will try and get a couple more friends to help me lift the bumper as I am doing it, see if i can get those bolts level as I tighten them.

Mine is off as well. I have adjusted it a few times, and the best I can get is a 1"~ even gap across the whole bumper. I don't know if they all came this way from the factory, or if my brackets suffered some damage at some point in the past.

The only solutions I see to closing that gap are either bending the brackets, or making some new ones. Since the oem brackets are really flimsy, Im going to eventually fabricate some custom brackets with thicker steel. Im going to slightly elongate the bolt holes to make the bumper position easily adjustable.

 

[mrsingh]

Took some pictures out in the daylight to show how far the gaps are off...

 

[Frontier719]

I cut those mounting things inside the wheel well off with a grinding wheel. Also, if you look under the grille area where the top of the bumper meets the grille, there are bump-stop looking things. I had to bend mine up in order to get the bumper to tilt forward so the rear aligns with the fender.

 

[Brilliant]

Looks like you need to tighten the sides and tilt down the bumper.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Looks like you need to tighten the sides and tilt down the bumper.

This exactly, op. The front gap will be a little wider, but the sides will twist up and the gap will look symmetrical

 

[EndofAll]

nice

 

[thezentree]

nice

Are you just trying to get past the post count threshold so you can make new threads?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Are you just trying to get past the post count threshold so you can make new threads?

IDK but he just did me a favor because I'm going to have to attempt this soon.