Scuzzy's/NWTI Front Bumper Build

Ok guys and gals, I said I would posy my stuff online for this truck, so here it begins. I have a 2005 TRD Off Road 4x4 Access Cab that I put a cheap $150 3" lift on from eBay so I did not have to buy tires twice when I put a Total Chaos on. Today's (and probably tomorrow's) will be the assembly and installation of North West Trail Innovations 05-11 Tacoma precut bumper. It is a "some assembly required" kit that I got for $350 (after $20 discount) with several options that I requested for fog lights and grill guard/hoops. Total with shipping was $550 thru Fastenal right here in Brookings.

Background information: This truck is being built as a chase truck for my Class 10 buggy. This is #2. I paid a whopping $9500 for it with a blown 6 speed and it turned out to be a $12 shifter cup. #1 is a 67 Ford Bronco that is nearing completion and is currently being driven. I race my buggy with the Valley Off Road Racing Association (VORRA) out of Reno Nv.

www.nwtrailinnovations.com

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures to this site I will be adding them from the build.

 

tools used in this build:

craftsman tool kit

Miller 180 220v MIG welder

angle magnets ( I am old and don't hold stuff straight)

4" angle grinder

BFH. Everyone needs one.

Beer

coffee

food

Someone who knows how to transfer images from my iPhone to this site to enlighten me. I do not have URL to send them to.

 

First wash the truck...hahaha

 

The kit comes neatly packed, all parts were checked and rechecked to make sure I had it all. Then I opened the instructions and ignored them by disassembling the truck first and cutting the tow hook off.

 

Assemble the center section and grind off the excess factory welds from the truck to ensure a flush mount. Tack the center section together and bolt it up to the truck, ensuring you got it to fit correctly. The notch on the top of the plate obviously goes to the right side of the truck for the A/C line from the condenser.

 

This looks like an interesting route.

 

Once the center section is assembled, start attaching the sides. This is the important part of this kit...width and fitment are your choice. I am installing 6" Baja fenders next month, so I chose to set the sides up a little wide. Also, every winch bumper I have ever owned flex as much as 1/4 " or more under a full pull. I intentionally set this up 3/4" below the body. Tack everything together, do not weld it up yet.

 

Once you have all of the panels tacked together, remove the bumper and weld it up. I welded both inner and outer. Really not needed, but I decided to make it seamless rather than edgy, so I used the outer welds as filler.

 

And here it is before and during grinding. Grinding, Grinding,, Grinding. But it will look good in the end.

In all, this is a fantastic kit to build. I saved a lot doing this on my own, but I have a ton of time into it. As usual, if I paid to have it done, it is easy $1000.

Beer consumed -12 Corona.

Time elapsed - 12 hours for me, 6 for anyone else.

10 lbs of wire in the welder

2 grinding disks

2 sanding disks

$40 in power

No injuries. I actually used my hearing protection and safety glasses. Finish is bedliner over black primer, the back side is already painted. I will finish grinding and painting tomorrow. My winch will be here after payday and the Baja fenders will be coming soon to finish the front.

Hope this helped some of you. If anyone wants to do this, you can call Corey (tell him Tony from Brookings sent you) to get the kit and if you need help, pm me and we will talk.

 

Oh and another side note. Corey did send me the hoops for the brush guard around the lights. I need an extra bend in each side before I put them on.

 

did you ever get the hoops on?

 

Awesome, I live local with NWTI and purchased F and R bumpers, Picking them up in a few days and painting them myself, will post pics!

 

Thanks Scuzzy1007, this was just the kind of post I was looking for!
Hi LordKravets, would be cool of you could post some pics, I'm thinking of going the same route with my 06 later this year.

 

Considering embarking on the same bumper build.

Have you noticed any decreases in your trucks performance? (i.e gas mileage, acceleration etc....)

Thanks

 

Dude can you send me all the links for this kit?!

 

“Manfred” got time fo dat!

 

Could probably have this kit ordered, shipped, constructed and painted before my rack came in haha

 

Working on getting mine together now!

 

Scuzzy, just received one for my 14, looking at your unboxing photo what are the 2 additional bent tubes? I don’t see them on the final welded bumper

 

I don't think he is on here anymore, can't tag him and hasn't logged on since September of 2018