Pelfreybilt High Clearance Bumper Installation step by step

I placed anorder for a HC bumper with l.e.d. cutouts and a hidden winch back in December2013. Well it has finally arrived after a gruesome 12 weeks of waiting. Well now that I have it its not doing me any favors in my parents garage so that’s whereTom (Airdog) comes in. Tom has installed three hc bumpers including mine so he was the go to guy for installation of this beautiful beast. So without further ado here is a step by step on how to install the bumper.

First step is to remove the bumper by removing all the wiring harness and the lights forthe license place then undo three bolts on each side (5 if you have a towhitch). Now with everything removed from the bumper now you’re going to want to remove the bumper by lifting it up slightly and pulling it away from the truck.The bolts that were used to hold the stock bumper in place will be reused so don’tlose them.









Next stepis to remove the fender flares. First you’ve got to remove the screws aroundthe bottom of the flares, make sure not to lose those either cuz youll need them later to install the fender back on. Now its time to remove the plastic clips behind the fender, but be careful not to break them because they are very fragile. I went behind the bedside and used a set of needle nose and squeezed and pushed them out. For the splash guards I just pulled them off, if you like you can be a little more careful but I don’t think ill be reinstalling them again so I didn’t care. Also make sure to remove the bracket that is pushing out the bedside, all you gotta do is unscrew it and toss it because another one should have been provided for you, but keep the hardware.



Now its time for the scary part… its time to cut… but first you must make the proper measurements. I did mine at 17½ inches but yours can vary so make sureyou take the proper measurements. This comes straight from the instructions ( We strongly suggest making a first cut onboth sides at approximately 17’’ below the bed top lip and approximately ½’’below the tail light to ensure the cut is clean and accurate) After you’ve taken the proper measurements go ahead and lay down some masking tape and mark that area that you plan on cutting. We took a ruler and made a guide line to help follow then we taped the ruler to the truck to help enhance the guide. Now thatyou are confident that this is where you want to cut go ahead and take the plunge. I suggest taking a grinder with a cutoff wheel to make this easier, smoother,and faster. After you’ve made the cuts go ahead and de-burr the sharp edges.











And here is what it looks like after you’ve made the cut.







Now the instructions aren’t too clear of what to do under the taillight just that you gotto cut it ½ below the light so this is what Tom did







I will say that I was extremely nervous of cutting into my precious Tacoma but I had complete trust and faith in. Tom’s cuts and measurements. I mean c’mon the mans rear bumper came out beautiful.





Now you are going to want to install that bracket that helps you push the fenders out in. At this point your going to want to drill a 5/16 hole into the side of your bedside right where the bracket is and install the ¼ screw that has been provided for you.





Now that you have the bedsides cut off go ahead and make a test fit and make sure that everything is lined up the way you like it. Now if you don’t like it go ahead and take it off and make the proper corrections. If it is the way you like ityou still gotta take it off cuz now you gotta cut the flare. Go ahead and install the flare by clicking all those little plastic pieces into the bedside and push it in. Not much is force should be used to get these to go in. After you’ve put these on take measurements right where you’ve made the cuts for the bedsides, tape them up and make the cut as well. Go ahead and put the screws in that help you hold the fender into place.





And finally you can install the bumper for the last time. Line the bumper up and go ahead and slide the bolts through the holes that I told you to hold onto and don’t tighten them up yet. Adjust the bumper how you like it to sit and go ahead and tighten it up. Make sure you leave enough room to take into account body flexing so you don’t want your bedsides rubbing up against bumper. Now that all of it is buttoned up this is what your truck and bumper should look like.







Oh and don’t forget to install all the little extras such as your license plate and license plate lights and if you have it the trailer hitch wiring. Thank you for checking this out. All props go to the man Tom (Airdog) go over and check his build thread out cuz he’s done some amazing things with his truck. Also another guy that has provided all this wonderful metal and hardware goes to Tyler(socalduckslayer). Thank you to the both of you. Hopefully this helps out and if you have any questions feel free to ask and Tyler, Tom, or myself can hopefully chime in and get it answered

 

Great write up Josh! Notice the safety glasses for all cuts being made! And i'm also a sweaty mess...thanks for that

 

You're a sexy beast and dont let your wife tell you any different

 

Sorry for all the words placed together without spacing. Idk why Microsoft word did that when I moved it over to post it

 

Great writeup! Didn't get a HI-Clearence from Tyler but this should work as a good general guide for future installs.

+1 for you good man!

 

would you guys say it is necessary to remove the flares, or does it just make the whole job a lot cleaner?

Also, about the bedside support brackets, do they attach to the bumper in any which way, or is it attatched to the old mounting spot of the original support bracket? I don't have a Pelfrey bumper, and I am wondering if these could work with mine.

Great write up, super helpful +1.

 

Youve got to remove the flares so that you can get the screw in that helps hold the bracket into place otherwise you'll have to drill through the fender to get the screw through. And no the bracket is not attached to the bumper. They are attached to the old spot where you took out the original

 

Now it is time for lockers and then john bull run.

 

Nice write-up! Looks great on there, Josh. Nice work, Tom.

 

Good to know. Got to see if I will need the bracket as I didn't get any with my bumper. Bedside support was something I figured would have to be addressed at some point.

Thanks again

 

Very nice write-up Now i just need to finish saving up for my HC Bumper from Pelfreybilt

 

Great write up, thanks Josh

 

No my friend thank you

 

damn Josh that looks good. Was not able to view the pictures from my phone.

 

Looks good!

 

nice job, looks clean...

 

Wow great write up I will be using this this as soon as I get this bizatch painted!

 

Just wanted to thank you for the awesome write up. It's great for any HC install, really helped make my brute force HC install a breeze.

 

Dusting off this great write up! Thank you, will be using this weekend

 

I did. After the cut I smoothed out the cut with a dremel sanding tip and sandpaper, wiped it clean, then sprayed the edge with underbody or rustoleum bed liner spray. Then I let it dry and applied the rubber trim provided with the bumper.