Fix a Sagging Bumper on an OBS 96' Ford F-350

[@kawh8719]

"My usual shop talk isn't so great for KZbin." Truer words have never been spoken!

[@chrisharmon3974]

Thanks Man! I just got a "new" F150 and has a sagging bumper. Now I feel confident to get in there and fix it my self.

[@IBurnMetal]

Absolutely! I thought the project was going to be much more involved but was pleasantly surprised how straightforward these old bumpers were designed. I’m just surprised how little information there is on fixing the cosmetic issues with these trucks given so much of the truck seems to have a slotted bolt or adjustment to realign everything. Once I get time, my next project is going to be straightening out my rear bumper. That much came with the truck when I got it, it’s just about halfway down my list of things to do. It’s funny how those lists seem to fill up from the top.

[@mikeleyshon1799]

No doubt this is the best video on one of the most common cosmetic issues on the 92-96 The best procedure wise video out there ! Consider it a general guide. Severity of the collision, vehicle condition (rust) . 95 F150 here and was successful after watching, rewinding, reviewing, etc. Not shown was alignment of the frame mounts with the large adjustable wrench. Self explanatory there, but if you have a decent pipe wrench you're good ! My biggest headache was the bumper brackets. Bent far greater than being able to pound the F out of on the ground. Put in bench vise and heated. Due to limited resources (propane) I could not shape the right side back to form. Ended up using some stainless fender washers to shim. Turned out great ! Great video man !

[@IBurnMetal]

I'm a Weld Engineer by trade but I just love these fabricating projects. I always want to try to 'make it better' whatever it may be. I openly admit that I dont know how bad your brackets have it, but I might suggest trying to flatten them again against something with a dip. If you see in the video (I admit I could have explained this better) I had one edge of the mounting plate propped up with nothing in the middle where I was hitting. That allowed me to pound out the bend in the middle. If I were just hitting it against the flat concrete, then the spring-back (elasticity) in the steel would never have allowed me to get it completely flat.

[@suppaduppa5]

The hero we never knew we needed. Thanks for the video brother

[@IBurnMetal]

Happy to help

[@solarflare4259]

Great job and very nice 350-er! I had to do this on my '99 Dakota but I replaced both bumpers. The front one I bought it new, the rear from a junk yard...Thanks for sharing !

[@IBurnMetal]

I like being able to reuse the OEM parts on these. I found a solid bumper replacement back before I did this video, but I wasnt a fan of the thinner metal, so i sent it back and kept my original one. Glad you liked this and i hope it helped.

[@rakkon1]

Nice truck, well done! Interesting backstory too

[@IBurnMetal]

Thanks!

[@gnarlock3927]

Hey man dont forget the safety glasses 🤓 ❤

[@monciparedes]

Are you going to be posting more content like this? I’d love to know what all else you’ve done yourself to your truck. My list seems to grow the more I drive mine with things I’d like to do.

[@IBurnMetal]

I took some time off of here to start a new job and move into a new (old) house. I'm planning on coming back and making more videos on my truck and also work ive done on my house.

[@larryhill1192]

Mounting information helpful also.

[@IBurnMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@monciparedes]

Also, this was great! Super helpful!

[@IBurnMetal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@trainfanboy2000]

What about a Ranch Hand bumper?

[@IBurnMetal]

I’ve got no problem with installing an aftermarket bumper, that’s just not what I was after in this video. I plan on keeping my truck fairly close to stock.... though… Now that you have me thinking about it, I have always liked the way the semi truck bumpers look when they have that thick aluminum brush guard upfront. This truck doesn’t go off road so not much of a functional purpose, other than the same reason big trucks have them… I wonder how those big brush guards hold up to a deer

[@nicks7434]

Good video, that's seems to be the proper way to fix it. I had the same issue was able to fix by loosening the four bolts holding on bumper, used 2 jacks on each side of the above lift till bumper was no longer in a frown. Then I cut a wedge out of a bunch of washers. Next I tightened the bottom 2 nuts just snug, then slide the modified washers between the bumper and brackets on the upper 2 nuts. ( I put a dab of super glue on each washer). I then snugged all bolts as tight as I could with a big breaker bar. Fixed a week ago still looks great, not perfect but barely noticeable anymore it's even slightly tilted up now.

[@IBurnMetal]

I tried the trick with jacks to get it to bend into place, but there is just so much flex across the whole steel bumper that it would not get the brackets to bend back. I had thought about shimming the brackets with washers, but I wanted to get it to fit right the way it would have from the factory.

[@er0cKnowsTwinPeaks]

Damn mine looks exactly like yours did originally. I am not as advanced at you. Willing to try but I don’t have the same type of expertise. How much would a shop charge for this?

[@IBurnMetal]

This project would be a great steping stone onto bigger things. The beauty of it is that everything just bolts together; there isnt really anything that you can do wrong here that would keep the truck from running. As for bending the metal: dont try/expect to get it done in a couple big hits. Just keep hitting it with what I would call "medium" force and it will gradually take shape.

[@johnnyohness6610]

Good Info. I just bought a 94 0bs 250 the same problem big time bumper sag. I can't stand it. I saw how you fixed yours and there is a lot of good information there. I wish you would have put a little more detail and explanation into straightening the bottom part of the bumper. Looks like I'm going to have to do the same thing. Did you use a rubber mallet to straighten the bottom lip? And I have two very small dents in the bumper where it may have been used to push something before I owned it. What did you use to usr to pound them out maybe a blank wooden hammer handle (that can get in tight spots? Other than that the bumper is in pretty good shape as replacement bumpers are as thin a tinfoil, and original equipment (even used) is out of sight if they are nice. Did you have to add any blank stock in replacing or bracing any part of the reassembly? That didn't seem real clear. Thanks for your answers love your rig. Looks awesome

[@IBurnMetal]

I used a 22oz ball peen hammer to pound out the dents where I could actually swing the hammer freely. To straighten the lip where you can grab the edge of the metal; I would use an adjustable crescent wrench and bend it like I did for the mounting tabs on the frame. As for the dents in the hard to reach areas; you guessed it spot on, i used a replacement hammer handle that felt string enough to hold up to a few hammer strikes. it did ruin the handle for use in a hammer, but I can still use it for pounding and prying so its not a total loss. Pounding out the dents with the handle took much longer than if I had been able to get in there with a hammer, or if I had used a metal bar, but it wasnt too bad. The two 'reinforcement' pieces that you see are actually pieces of unistrut that I bolted in for mounting points to add fog lights in the front openings. They aren't really necessarry to straighten the bumper back up.

[@eugahhtiderem]

NICE MAN!!!!

[@IBurnMetal]

Thanks Meredith! Next part is coming out in a week. let me know what you think I should do next

[@billyjack8119]

I was starting to get pissed at all the loose OBS talk. I had to google what the hell people are talking about because OBS to me means a scan tool. I worked on these trucks when they were new at a ford dealer. I guess i need to keep up with the times and all the new lingo talk lol. I'm trying to find a video on a keystone brand bumper to see if they are as good as ford.

[@mdtransmissionspecialties]

So wait how does you hitting something have anything to do with the obs bumper sag..? You're trying waaay too hard dude.

[@IBurnMetal]

The bent brackets are what cause the bumper sag… bend them back by hitting them. You could buy new brackets if you could find them… or you could fix it for free.

[@mdtransmissionspecialties]

@@IBurnMetal CPAddict. They sell factory up to 2022 bumper swap brackets for OBS trucks

[@ThatDrummerBen]

@@mdtransmissionspecialties or you could just straighten the originals for free🤷🏻‍♂️

[@wily3226]

​@@ThatDrummerBen the problem is only gonna come back might as well do the job right by buying a new and stronger bracket