Gerahead's 71 Dart

It has been a while since I have done anything substantial on the project. During my mock-up build, I found that the pass side bumper bracket (the straight one) was bent. The bumper just would not fit like it should. Anyone need confirmation that a mock up is a good idea? since I don't have a press, I made note of the need to fix and moved on.

Last night I had some time to spend on it so I broke out the caveman tools. I dug up a length of chain and a couple of scrap pieces of 2x2 square tubing. I set the bracket on the pad of my frame jack with the U-shape of the bracket pointed up. I wrapped the chain underthe frame of the jack and passed it through a piece of the tubing on each end of the bracket. I put the tubing across the top of the bracket so it distributed teh load flatly across the width. I used some 7/16 bolts to form a loop at the ends. With the chain loops centered, I started pumping the jack. It took a couple of attempts to stop and check the progress, but I got it as straight as the driver's side. Now to try the bubmper fit again. Even the little victories seem significant.