[solidaxel]

O K, today I went to put the gravel pan and front bumper back on my P/U that I had taken off to paint, and nothing fits !!!!
This had been off for 6 mo, do the shrink !!!
When I pulled the bumper and pan off they were aligned and the bumper was straight and level, what happened!
These brackets look like they are a royal PITA to bend as there are 1/4" steel. Is there a easy way to get the gravel pan and pumper back on with out heating and bending the brackets?
The bumper and pan just fell off when I removed them I still don't know what happened to the alignment, how do I get them back on without damaging the gravel pan.

[willys36@aol.com]

I have '53 Chevy, pretty much the same truck. Assuming nothing has been damaged in a wreck, it can be put back together eventually. Use jacks, chains, come-alongs and jiggling and it will eventually fall into place. Actually, reassembling the whole truck gives you these problems - doors fenders, hood, grille bed, etc., etc. - nothing seems to line up when you first go back together. Makes you wonder how they got these things together at the factory.

[solidaxel]

Boy OH Boy you ain't just a whistlin Dixie, nothing fits !!!!
I had everything lined up and closing just right before it went to paint now mind you the same parts just a little paint and clear, nothing lines up. The bumper and gravel pan were the last parts to come off and they are WAY off !!!
Thanks for the reassurance !!

[willys36@aol.com]

Loosely bolt everything toghether, line it up, then tighten all the fasteners. It'll fit eventually.