BlaisBrosTacos '08 Reg Cab 4x4 Build and Adventures

There ya go!

 

Well I was rear ended in a hit and run a few weeks back. Just got my insurance check from it all. $977.50 was my outcome. Trucks rear bumper was dented pretty good and a few other things broken.

I’m thinking I’m going to use the money and get the famous eBay steel bumpers. Front and rear I can get both shipped to me for $1061. So it doesn’t put a huge dent in my wallet for full armor.

Anyone have any input/opinion on that?

Also I just bought some 5100’s to get installed in the spring. Shout out to josh over at @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc for hooking me up with a great deal again.

 

Look at overall construction Nick. You don't want something that may cause more damage in the long run. I know something that is higher quality will cost more, but it may save your ass some day.
Just a thought or two.
Drew may have some insight from a welding perspective. Ask @EatSleepTacos for an honest opinion about the ebay bumpers too. I think he may have one.

 

I don’t have one, but have been in that thread from the very beginning. My opinion on the bumpers is that for the money, they’re not bad for the DIY inclined and patient people. In order to get the front to fit level, you may need to shim it with washers. You’ll also need to cut a notch out on the inside so it safely clears the AC line. I’ve heard mixed things on the powdercoat quality.

For the rear, you lose your own hitch and the bumper doesn’t come with one, so you’d need the all pro hitch to pair with it. Haven’t heard too many negative things about the rear otherwise.

 

Cool. Thanks Randy.
That is what I am remembering, the beginning of that thread was classic.
Great info. Appreciate you taking the time to post.

 

Thanks for the info doc, but they seem decent for the money. Haven’t seen much negative about them honestly.

Thanks for your input. I have already contacted all Pro about the hitch too. My hitch is bent and that’s part of the claim. It’s about $150 + shipping new from them.

 

Doc do you happen to have a spring compressor?

 

I do not.
Sorry.

 

I have a set of the super sketchy harbor freight ones... 0/10 would not recommend though

 

Those look like there is much room for error.

 

@Blais03 My suspension was done at Levi's. He has one there.

 

You’ve never known fear until you have a Bilstein 6112 between your legs while trying to sintch down two spring compressors with an impact

 

oh.my.!

 

What kind of shocks do you have? Have you seen the compressorless method using a floor jack under the LCA?

 

yeah fuck that lol

He offered to do it too but I'm poor and would rather do the work myself if I can

I just ordered 5100's for shocks but I also got toytec HD springs, new shock mounts, an aal, new u-bolts, top plate spacers, and extended studs. I have seen the compressorless method but I want to assemble the entire coil/shock/mount setup before installing on the truck.

 

I attempted the compressorless method when I did my 6112s and it did not want to work. Couldn't get the LCA to break free enough so I could swing the shock in.

Depending how far you are from Stephentown NY, Fat Body Customs has a wall mount spring compressor. Could swing over and just have him assemble it. I kicked him $20 cause he's a friend, not sure what he would actually charge though

 

Yeah if i was to pay someone I would go right down the street and have Levi do it, or even bring it to work and have the dealer I work for do it.

 

yeah true makes sense. I did one by myself using the harbor freight crap but it stripped the threads right off of the clamp so said screw it and had him put it together. Dealer be cool with you doing it after hours or something?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kop2QN0YHY