###Southern Style OffRoad Tacoma Slimline Hybrid Group Buy / Summer 2017 ###

Yeah. 6 Allen bolts.

 

I got my bumper painted. If I had to do it again, I would go powder coat. I wanted to try it myself, but after you purchase everything you'll need you're halfway to the cost of powder coat anyway. Plus it's rained everyday and it's super humid and I'm honestly not sure how well my paint job will hold, but we'll see I guess.
Anyway, I'm getting it installed on a local mod day, so I'm pretty pumped about it.

 

I feel you about this since I painted my sliders. The hardest part was waiting for it to dry before installing it! Anyway, I opted for Pc and I just got the email that my bumper is in powder coating!! Can't wait for the shipping notification.

 

All done. Was about a 2 beer job if I didn't have to run to the store. I took the advice of the person in the other GB thread regarding taping off to avoid gaps. They said quarter of an inch further forward on the taper line and I would even error half an inch because my gasket runs right to the bumper with a small gap and I thought I gave it quite a bit more than quarter inch extra. Was very tricky to get the wing brackets on for the 3/4 inch bolts to support the bumper. Be careful here because in a hurry I almost stripped out the threads on these brackets. Also put brackets on before torquing bolts but was able to access them from top anyway.

Went with the x20 with motor mount control unit. I will probably move this in the future to behind the fuse box in the engine bay if possible. Will be order a factor 55 in the future and license plate (California resident) will be mounted with rings around the bull bar.

 

Just got my bumper and goodies today. I open up the boxed and peeped the goods. Now I'm wondering how the heck I am going to install this thing by myself.

 

Looks good man!

 

"Went with the x20 with motor mount control unit." Move behind fuse box ? how do that

 

You can move the control unit to a remote location but just have to buy longer wires of the appropriate gauge. It is detailed in the smittybuilt manual. I was just thinking of moving to closer to driver side door for easy access but it's pretty easy to get to in current location as well.

 

Use a floor jack to lift the bumper into place. If you get the balance right you can just about get the bumper mounted with one person.

 

Will the new ARB recovery point work with this bumper?

http://store.arbusa.com/2005-On-Toyota-Tacoma-Recovery-Point-2823010-P22953C92.aspx

 

Thank you @Rx4Overland

 

Install

Removing all the pieces is straightforward. You'll pull your grille and complete front bumper as well as some support pieces.

Removing the bumper from the fenders is the trickiest part. I think the trick is to pull forward, not down. I managed to break a plastic tab, but you can't tell.

Next was the cutting. To me, the cutting instructions weren't super clear. I haven't heard other people mention that, so that's likely on me. We ended making a couple more cuts after we mounted it. In case you were wondering, it's not just the black part of the bumper that gets cut. We used a razor knife and it worked just fine. You definitely want to take your time as this is the one thing that can't be undone.

Installing the new bumper is easy. Just make sure you remember what bolts go where. The trickiest part was figuring out where the L brackets go. The instructions aren't clear. It took us quite a while to get those in. For sure the toughest part of the project.

Getting the grille back in place was also a challenge. I broke a tab in the process and tore up my plastidip on the bezel. You have to force it pretty hard, but it'll pop in place.

It looks great though. And it's solid. Like, solid. It is NOT a crumple zone lol.

 

I agree about the brackets being the most fiddly part of the install. Otherwise, the only difficult part was putting a saw to my truck. Cutting was pretty easy, though. There is a thicker plastic section toward the bottom of each side that needed extra care, but nothing to worry about really. I cut my bumper while still on the truck.

Followed this additional information, and have basically no gaps.

 

Cutting while on the truck is DEFINITELY easier. I have pretty much no gaps, but that's because I cut so little each time. It took longer, but that's ok.

 

You cut the bumper while on the truck,did you need to remove it at all to mount the slim line? Also I'm confused a little .."I have pretty much gaps" ? please explain thanks

 

I got my bumper installed and I am happy with the results. It is a little "gappy" but I can live with it.

 

go read the first post quote I link to the info about cutting it with no gaps. The instructions have you cut more than is necessary leaving small gaps, I linked to another GB where people have corrected for this. The instructions also have you remove the bumper to cut it and then re-install it before mounting the bumper. It's very easy to cut it without removing the bumper.

 

So, i received my bumper today but they diddnt send my winch yet. Was curious if you can get the winch in after install?

 

No. You will have to pull the bumper to get the winch installed if you don't do it prior to installing the bumper.

 

Thanks bud, i guess ill just sit here and stare at my bumper haha. fuckin sooooks