Trail gear front bumper woes...

So I installed my bumper today, and it didn't go well at all... Fitment was awful.

For one, I had to bash the shiznit out of the sides where the new crossmember wraps around to get it close enough to tap into place...

It was also ver difficult to line up all of the holes to mount the bumper. I ended up effing up one of the bolts/threads. I'm planning to have this welded/to the frame for future winching anyways so that crap doesn't actually bother me much, now that it's there.

My main concern now is that the bumper appears to tilt forward, and doesn't really follow the body line.... So frustrated. Does anyone have any experience with this, or should I just bring it to trail gears attention?

Lost..

 

Just spitballing, but could u open up some of the holes on the horizontal axis into "slots" to allow some adjustment in the bumpers angle?

 

Dang. And this is the exact bumper I'm planning to get soon. Idk man I've seen other trucks where it looks clean. Any chance it was in a wreck before? Never know with previously owned trucks, that is if yours was. Maybe threw off the frame a little? Or did u check out the stock bumper does it look fine where it mounts? Nothing bent? Otherwise yes I would def contact them and ask for a replacement. Send em pics.

 

Don't look good at all. If returning it is not an option, elongating the holes may be your best bet.

 

Yeah, stock bumper seemed to fit up ok. I'm sure returning is not an option. Kinda annoyed because I beat (bent) the shit out of the mounting side frame mount now... I'm pretty sure there was no prior damage, had everything checked out thoroughly before buying the truck.

 

I had use a mallet with my TG bumper install... in the end I won and fitment was no longer an issue.

 

I might try and loosen all of the bolts, then jack from the bumper to force it up. That's all I can think of. Not a fan I elongating the slots, as that would undermine the integrity of the bumper. If it was elongating them down, that would be ok, but in my case I'd need to make upward movement. So frustrated, I'll email trail gear once I've had a chance to simmer down.

 

Well looking closer at your pics it doesn't look too bad. Hard to tell.. Yeah try the jack idea. Then u said you were welding it up later so that should work out. But yeah I'd be kinda pissed too. Good luck.

 

X2 this is what I had to do as well

 

We'll see. Maybe I'll have new perspective today.. Need to run errands, but I'll post back with results.

 

loosen and use the jack, re - tighten.

 

Ya I'm probably gonna take it all off and paint the crap out of it again, then remount so it *hopefully* won't rust. Will give me a chance to address the angle too, crossing fingers.

 

Who cares about elongated slots if you are welding it on?
I doubt u will gain that much ground with a hammer...
My arb was out left to right wise about an inch. Couldn't move it over with a sledge.
Ended up paying a few bucks to the local body shop to pull it over with a 20 ton ram (actually took two and they had to move the individual frame rails over)
Maybe that's an option?

 

Thanks for the tip. Yeah I guess your right about elongating the slots. Might be able to get it tolerable using jack.

 

I'm tired of messing with it. No response from tg yet. Wish I had gone with another brand. Oh well. I was able to get it closer but still have a little forward lean. It's a shame to spend that kind of money, and receive a less than desirable fit.

Hopefully the structural integrity is ok... We'll see when it gets beat and yanked on.

 

FWIW, i had to beat on my frame rails as well to get it to fit. BUT i'm pretty sure the front end of my truck was a bit tweeked. one of the crush caps was gone... i think the TG fit is tight to begin with. BUT it would have been nice to have some play for fitment

in the end it fit up right but it took some persuasion.

good luck. i'm curious to know if and what TG says...don't forget to post

 

Yeah I'll post up, once I do. Btw, I'm not sure it is alignable... What do you all think about a steel spacers placed between the front bolts and crossmember, then slot the holes on the bottom/ sides? That's the only way I can think of too adjust the tilt.

 

Trail gear wrote back, really nicely written email requesting specific photos. Kudos to the rep who answered. Will keep the thread updated.

 

I had to hammer mine on as well its normal from what I hear. Lined mine up just fine.

 

Spacers could work. I used a spacer (1/8 inch) on my arb install for what its worth.