Body Armor bumper

About half way through the install of a Body Armor bumper. Sadly there are no Youtube videos to assist and the instruction manual, while complete, is all black & white which causes the photos to lack depth. It's doable but one really has to interrupt carefully the instructions as when the cuts are made you got what you got - which scares the bejesus out of me. Got the bumper mounted okay and the Smittybilt installed okay but tomorrow comes the cutting process for the bumper cover..

On the winch (glad I read the instructions), they recommend a thousand lb load for the initial reel in - applies to rope or cable (I got the rope).

 

Either one
What thats all about is to remove some of the spring load
Rope requires a minimum of 11ish wraps and cable 6-8 if memory serves
As for cutting good luck man but remember measure once cut twice...or something like that lol

But seriously tho cut below what is recommended and use a box cutter to fine tune the trimb
My c2 then again I don't know much LOL

 

You’re a brave one. I’m getting my bumpers installed professionally. Cutting is one thing I’m not comfortable doing.

 

I feel that. My art skills look like this so I don’t even test them with cutting shit that’s suppose to look good

 

^ regular pablo de Vinci
LMBO

 

I'm not real comfortable doing it either BUT this old man likes to learn new things and having someone else do it and be responsible for it is a safe way to go for sure - but teaches me nothing. So I may likely screw it up but it won't be due to lack of determination. I'll measure then measure again then cut it wide enough to allow for trimming it - then pray...

 

Me too! I hate art - probably because I have no artistic skills whatsoever. I can't draw a dog's leg..

 

Was yours the Body Armor brand? Are you happy with it?

 

The directions for cutting are absolute shit and you're 100% right about the black and white photos. 25+ years in aviation here and they left a lot to the imagination. As far as the bumper itself, luckily you're in FL, the powder coat is just as bad as the directions on cutting. Mine is rusting after about 6 weeks and it hasn't even seen an Indiana winter. Going to have to get it redone by the end of summer

 

I just installed a Road Armor bumper last week. Also ran into a few issues due to crappy instructions but I managed and the cut wasn't the greatest but it hides behind the bumper. I had issues with putting the bumper back on after the cut. I had to remove the metal piece behind the bottom grill part otherwise there wasn't any room for the winch control box.

 

All these hybrid bumpers install pretty much the same way. Check out this video for the Warn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twKnFKkfoNY

Get some automotive door trim gasket to cover your cuts.
Use a floor jack to support the weight of the bumper and winch when mounting it.

I did mine with hand tools and a dremel. A razor knife will work. I finally invested in Milwaukee power tools earlier this year.

 

I used an oscillating tool and it cut like butter. I also bought door trim gaskets which I never used since the cuts kinda tuck behind the new bumper.

 

Yes they are!!

 

You did a good job sir - better cut than I managed but oh well..

 

Despite not following the (crappy) directions to a tee - it will pass my requirements. My cut won't pass close-up inspection but given what I learned and saved by doing it myself - I'm okay with it.

This is the tool I used for the major cutting:

$63 Astro Pneumatic Tool 930 Air Body Saber Saw with 5pc 24 Teeth per Inch Saw Blades, Black, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006RF96AM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8 **

Then I used a cheap little Dremel tool with a sanding attachment to clean up rough edges.

** Ah, if you use this tool dial your air pressure down to 90 psi as 170 psi will end up vibrating your hand right off the tool.

 

Rulez violation - you can't have a bumper thread without showing a pic of your new bumper installed!

 

trying to LOL - currently stuck in a parking lot on I-95 in GA…☹️

 

Well, you're already braver than most of us - you bought a black 4R!...

The bumper looks great, BTW.

 

Nice!

Now you need tires, sliders, skids, and some crossbars.

 

Thank You! It’s a good thing its black - a lighter color may reveal “irregularities “…

Now you're sounding like my daughter who has become absolutely immersed into the 4runner syndrome. I keep telling her that I'm not quite as into this as she is - I spent the better part of 60 years and multiple marriages enjoying off-road activities that consumed me - now some priorities have changed (at least I keep trying to convince myself of that) ...

Sorry for the double pictures - I posted that while wife was driving through GA and the signal was terrible so somehow I posted the same picture twice. I'll try & fix that..

 

Oh yeah, initially I was not going to install the "Bull Bar" but after the install it just looked like it was missing something so I unboxed the BB and installed it - seemed to help.

 

Smart girl...

 

I just ordered this bumper and I am wondering if the bumper cutout required lines up with the TRD valence? Also how have the recovery points held up to use ?

Thanks !