OK Well this is my first post here. I have been reading through old posts for about 2 weeks now and found alot of great info.

I have a 97 F-150 with the 4x4 front bumper. The truck however is a 4x2. I have searched through every post I can find on the subject and nothing is going to help with this. I have about a 1" gap between the top of the bumper and the bottom of the grill surround. I know there is an ammount of adjustment that can be made but it is already adjusted as high up as it will go. Was the 4x4 grill surround any different than the 4x2 grill surround?

I pulled the bumper off this weekend and thought about switching the brackets and turning them around which seems like it will work. The brackets are for the 4x4 and are on the correct side with the longer ears pointing down. I was thinking about grinding off the little tap that goes in the hole and flipping them to the other side anyone know if this will work?

 

I'm wondering if you have the right bumper. The 97/98 bumper is different from the 99-03 bumper. Or - I believe the 97/98 4x4 bumper had a top plastic covering. Does yours have this. If this is missing, it might account for the large gap you are experiencing.

 

Yes the 97/98 is different than the 99+, The 97/98 is straight across the top, and the 99+ the grill dips down into the bumper a bit. I have the plastic piece that goes on top of the bumper and it is still a good 1" gap all the way around. I think I am just going to try and flip the brackets and see what happens with it.

 

Okay. I just went out and measured mine. I have a 4X2. Everything is original. I measure 1 inch gap directly under the headlights to the top of the bumper. I think what you are experiencing is normal.

 

I just swapped mine out for a 99-up. Before that I had this bumper cover, which sealed the gap up completely. A little pricey, but about the only way to lose the big gap. I am also wondering if closing the gap on a 98 truck with the stock bumper, would make something look weird. The parts are made to follow a certain shape, with the gap taken into account. Closing it up may screw with the overall look.,,,,98

 

Man you guys are right on top of things. Thanks for the help. Daniel that 1" gap is from the bottom of the grill surround to the top of the bumper right....well I guess maybe mine is ok and I am just **** lol...

Thanks again -Jeremy-