straighten front bumper mounts

[badmts]

I bought a little 86 4x4 for a couple hundred bucks and the main defect outside is the front bumper-its NOT destroyed it is not stock but it has been tweeked. will it cause harm to the frame to heat it up to straighten the frame ends out? i work in a big auto shop and hate the current bumper-i would actually not mind a flat black 2x6 piece of wood but the techs like the old bumper-we have compressed air ,welder and torch but no plasma cutter, we have most any other tools and hoists too, any ideas are welcome

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Personally, I'd say yes to frame ahead of suspension attachment points [including steering box]. Do you have a Porta-power?
Richard

 

[RjFabWerx]

I agree...as long as you're staying ahead of where your tranny cooling line runs across from frame to frame, you'de be ok...Hard to know without seeing it but I've also seen something kinda like you've described and the frame was tweeked back about 4-5 inches and I cut it and build a new bumper for the guy and just made custom mounting brackets that reached out a bit further to make it work and it turned out good...Good luck with your project...I have an '86, they're good little trucks...