Bed/Bumper Alignment
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 52
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From: Monrovia, CA USA
Bed/Bumper Alignment
I bought my truck only 3 weeks ago and have since noticed that the bed alignment is a little off. On the drivers side the bed and molding are flush/even with the cab while on the passenger side I have noticed that it is in a little from the cab. The bumper seems to be level but on the passenger side the bed /tailgate is farther away from the top of the bumper (3/4-1") than the passenger side.
I know the vehicle hasn't been in an accident and have called the dealer to get it into the body shop to see if they can line it back up. But I was a little disturbed when the Body Shop Manager said "Some of these parts on these trucks just don't line up. We'll take a look and see if we can align it but it might just be that way."
C'mon? I haven't really looked at any other trucks to compare it, has anyone encountered something like this before and if so is it easily remedied? Any help before I talk to the *willing* body shop manager would be greatly appreciated.
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'97 F150 Lariat 4x4, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS, "The Green Monster"
I know the vehicle hasn't been in an accident and have called the dealer to get it into the body shop to see if they can line it back up. But I was a little disturbed when the Body Shop Manager said "Some of these parts on these trucks just don't line up. We'll take a look and see if we can align it but it might just be that way."
C'mon? I haven't really looked at any other trucks to compare it, has anyone encountered something like this before and if so is it easily remedied? Any help before I talk to the *willing* body shop manager would be greatly appreciated.
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'97 F150 Lariat 4x4, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS, "The Green Monster"
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 692
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From: Michigan Rocks and then some too!!!
I noticed that most of the 97s I saw, including mine (look at from the front) had the bumper stick out to the right (or maybe it was the left?) away from the body about 1/2 to 1 inch farther than the other side.
Also I noticed that the bed did dip a little on the back corner. I also told the body shop about the rear bumper that was rusted on the inside, and they said that it would have to rust completely through before the warrenty in order for them to replace it. As for the (miss)alignment, they thought I was crazy. Made me wonder if I was too picky, But I did get another dealer to put a new bumper on it. If you can convince them to "fix" this, do so or it will bug ya forever. I fixed mine by getting a 98.
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98 F150 SC XLT 4.6 V8 Tow Pkg.CHIP,K&N Airbox mod. "Moonlight Blue" Crome Rails and Taillight covers, Smoked Bug and Rain guards, Painted Visor and Running boards. Oh yeah, and one "Blacked-out" grill. "traffic doesn't get in my way!" LOOK-OUT!
Also I noticed that the bed did dip a little on the back corner. I also told the body shop about the rear bumper that was rusted on the inside, and they said that it would have to rust completely through before the warrenty in order for them to replace it. As for the (miss)alignment, they thought I was crazy. Made me wonder if I was too picky, But I did get another dealer to put a new bumper on it. If you can convince them to "fix" this, do so or it will bug ya forever. I fixed mine by getting a 98.
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98 F150 SC XLT 4.6 V8 Tow Pkg.CHIP,K&N Airbox mod. "Moonlight Blue" Crome Rails and Taillight covers, Smoked Bug and Rain guards, Painted Visor and Running boards. Oh yeah, and one "Blacked-out" grill. "traffic doesn't get in my way!" LOOK-OUT!
