1993 Dodge Dakota LE, 5.2L, 2WD, Auto trans, 180,000 miles, original owner

I attached a photo of my rear bumper. If you look close enough you'll see it is bent. The far end nearly touches the bed panel. The bend point is in the license plate cutout and it angles toward the bed as it makes its way across the truck. Before I do something stupid like wrapping a chain around a tree and pulling the end back out or backing up to a tree in the center of the bumper and pushing it in I want to see if anyone has a better idea. Gotta think there is.

 

I would use a come-along instead of the tree method. The you could be watching it while it bends outward. Another option, remove it and lay it on the concrete floor to straighten it out.

 

Yeah, that would be better than using the truck engine. The come along can be controlled better. Thanks!

 

What's gonna happen first though? Will the bumper bend, or, will the come-along drag the truck. Been there, done that.

 

I've had times that I had to hook the come along to a tree on one end and the front of the truck to another tree on the other end. Time consuming but surprisingly effective.

 

I also thought of (as did jkeaton) of pulling the bumper off and laying it on the floor. Only problem is how do I push down on it other than putting my truck on top of it. Wonder if these body shops have a method they use other than replace.