Misaligned body panels?

[vb96]

New F150 STX owner here… Just noticed this as I was cleaning up the truck looks like the hood and bumper are misaligned if you look at the photos. Is there any “set tolerance” from the factory that is acceptable or is this unacceptable in your opinion?

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[Hans Moleman]

It’s normal for Fords.

If comparing panel alignment to a Tesla, you will be very happy.

If comparing to a Toyota built in Japan, you will be disappointed.

 

[Mosey]

Those look fine to me. You can make small adjustments to the hood by turning stops up or down a little.

 

[vb96]

It’s normal for Fords.

If comparing panel alignment to a Tesla, you will be very happy.

If comparing to a Toyota built in Japan, you will be disappointed.

OK, good to know! I figured there was some kind of variance and not everything is going to be 100% perfect but yes you are right Toyotas from Japan or Lexus cars from Japan, they've got everything buttoned up pretty tight

 

[vb96]

Those look fine to me. You can make small adjustments to the hood by turning stops up or down a little.

Here’s my stupid question: where are the stops and what are they?

 

[Mosey]

Here are two photos:

There is one on each side of the engine bay. You turn them in and out to raise or lower. Be very careful doing this.

 

[vb96]

Here are two photos:

There is one on each side of the engine bay. You turn them in and out to raise or lower. Be very careful doing this.

Thank you so much for the photos! I’m probably not gonna touch it if I have to be careful because I don’t wanna overturn it and screw it up… I’ll just live with the slight variation, but I will probably take a look under the hood just to see where it is

 

[Mosey]

Thank you so much for the photos! I’m probably not gonna touch it if I have to be careful because I don’t wanna overturn it and screw it up… I’ll just live with the slight variation, but I will probably take a look under the hood just to see where it is

From your photos it appears the hood is a little high, so lowering the stops 1/16th or 1/8th of an inch should not be a problem. Going up is where things could go wrong.

 

[vb96]

From your photos it appears the hood is a little high, so lowering the stops 1/16th or 1/8th of an inch should not be a problem. Going up is where things could go wrong.

OK, here’s another stupid question… Which raises and which lowers is it? Clockwise turns to raise and counterclockwise to lower? Or is it the other way around?

 

[Mosey]

OK, here’s another stupid question… Which raises and which lowers is it? Clockwise turns to raise and counterclockwise to lower? Or is it the other way around?

That you will have to determine yourself, but I suspect clockwise lowers the stop. Count the turns you make so you can bring it back to the original position. You could always use a measuring tape or caliper too.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

OK, good to know! I figured there was some kind of variance and not everything is going to be 100% perfect but yes you are right Toyotas from Japan or Lexus cars from Japan, they've got everything buttoned up pretty tight

My 2023 Tacoma body panel alignment was much worse than my 24 powerboost is.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

OK, here’s another stupid question… Which raises and which lowers is it? Clockwise turns to raise and counterclockwise to lower? Or is it the other way around?

righty tighty, lefty loosey

the hood bumpers are screw mounted. CW to lower

 

[Nomis]

I made them replace my upper bumper on my 24 tremor and it is already warping again. New vehicles are just junk honestly.

 

[vb96]

My 2023 Tacoma body panel alignment was much worse than my 24 powerboats is.

Wow ok so it’s probably just a “new car (anything after 2020) thing”…shame Toyota is slacking too especially with the turbo V6 trucks blowing up.

 

[vb96]

I made them replace my upper bumper on my 24 tremor and it is already warping again. New vehicles are just junk honestly.

F that what a shame

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