1999 to 2007 Front Bumper Conversion Question W/Body Alignment

[bimmertrek]

Hi Guys,
My 02 SD is at the body shop getting its 07 front end installed and painted. Header panel, grille, and lights are all on. Bumper is not really aligning properly though. Looks like it needs to go back slighty further (towards rear of truck) so it aligns with the front fender arches, and sides slightly flare outwards. Anyone else have this issue and how did you resolve it? Parts are aftermarket but I know a few people here have used aftermarket and they've been fine.

THANKS!

[Eric]

My bumper is the same way. I thought it looked odd, but I looked at my neighbor's '06 and it's the same too

[Zaairman]

They all do that. Sucks. If you're brave, you can bend the bumper to fit.

[bimmertrek]

They all do the flare out from the body, or where it doesn't sit back far enough?

[Bad Night]

Yea , the reason is from the factory there is about an inch between the bumper and the grill . Moving it down makes the bumper follow the proper curve but then there is that big gap that in my opinion looks like hell .

[Bad Night]

Originally Posted by bimmertrek

They all do the flare out from the body, or where it doesn't sit back far enough?

Where it doesn't look to sit back enough . I have heard of some people having the "sticking out issue " but only with aftermarket bumpers . You can use the factory brackets to pull the sides in a bit .

[bimmertrek]

Great. So it'll always have one issue or the other....

So is it better to have the grill gap or fender gap? Also, how many corner brackets are there? All I have are 1 for each corner and they are straight.

[Zaairman]

There's 2 in each corner. I have none on mine and it's a Ford bumper.

[Bad Night]

I have the brackets you need , I didn't put them on my truck because my bumper is factory as well and fit good .

[pimp800]

Can you just use the 2 main mouting brackets to make a 06 bumper to work on a 02? Or do i need to buy all 6 ..i have my bumper,grill and lights ordered already ..i just havent ordered any brackets yet..can i just get by with the 2 or do i need all 6?? Thanks for any helo..