New Low Profile Option FBTT1-05

I purchased the DV8 Low Profile off of eBay for $355. It arrived with damage to the shipping box and had minor paint damage and missing hardware. I contacted the vendor and they provided a $50 credit to my PayPal account and have sent out a new hardware kit and touchup paint kit. The very good communication and fast action was heartening, and I feel even better to have the bumper for a $334 investment (Incl tax).

In looking at the installation instructions and posts from others, I have decided to weld additional gussets on the right angle brackets, and possibly weld them to the winch tray once mounted and lined up, as well as rig up some type of additional support brackets to the sub assembly to give it additional strength. I have a grandson that is handy with a welder so I am looking forward to playing around with some ideas.

 

Hey man are you saying you just installed the 2 "L" shape pieces and the front piece? without the long skinny plate? I am looking to do that to try it and see the aesthetic of it.

 

I would at least weld some gussets on the L brackets for support if you leave the winch tray off. Seems like it would already be a little sketchy with the L brackets not welded to the winch tray. I would definitely be hesitant to be doing any towing without more bumper support.

 

Yea, I only used the L brackets. Allows for a quicker install as you don’t have to move the cooler back. Also everything can be done through the middle, no need to remove the bumper.

I don’t know if the winch tray adds any structural support to the setup. I may put it on in the future. (It’s really heavy so it’s nice saving the weight now)

If planing to winch I would most certainly add the plate and even go as far as welding in gussets. I don’t plan on towing anything with a winch so I think I’m good as is. Plus the design being only bolted on with no gussets or attachment points to the lower frame leaves me thinking it would not be strong enough for anything other then a head on straight pull.

 

Yes, I would definitely keep the OEM tow hook on to use if a tow situation presents itself. I do see a nice benefit weight wise by leaving the winch tray off, but do think that gussets on the L brackets would still be a good idea to provide a little more rigidity without any additional weight.

 

I bought the DV8 with their wiring harness From JEPS, and bought an OEM style switch from CaliraisedLed. Got the DV8 light and harness on sale for $91, and the switch was $17, OTD. Been waiting for almost 2weeks, being drop shipped from DV8 out of CA.

 

I’ve been thinking about the tray, and do believe it would add structural support in a crash, or even a hard bump, especially if the L brackets are not gusseted. However without the tray or gussets, maybe the L brackets would act like a crush zone, and avoid frame damage at lower speeds, somewhat like the plastic front bumper energy absorbers do. Sorry, just early morning thoughts rolling around in my head.

 

That’s exactly the same school of thought I was thinking. With the winch plate on, all the force is going into the frame. Without it those L brackets will just bend. Hopefully absorbing some of the impact. The frame is tied together in the front with the bar that holds the tow hook. I don’t think adding the winch plate would act as a brace holding the the frame together any more then without it.

I am looking into seeing how I’m going to weld in a guesset on the L bracket. Not too much room by the bolts.

Now to find a 20” light bar that fits.

 

The DV8 20” is still on sale at Jegs.
https://www.jegs.com/i/DV8-Offroad/339/BS20E100W5W/10002/-1

 

Here is a photo of the gussets welded by another member.

 

That’s perfect. Yea there’s plenty of room. Are these 3/16th steel? Thanks.

 

Yes, the L brackets are 3/16”, and the tray 1/4”.

 

So it's between this and the Victory . The one thing I like about the Victory is the light bar mounting. But it is twice as much.
https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3FB.html

 

Are you planning on installing a winch?

 

I'm not sure. Probably not

 

Curious since you all are going with this low profile bumper, is anyone willing to sell the original lower trim panel at a good price? Will help offset your recent bumper purchase. Looking for unpainted black and without the 2 license plate screw holes. DM me.

Looks great though! I would like something like this when my finances are in order.

thanks!

 

Ok, in my opinion the DV8 would need modifications to use the winch tray safely, and even pulling utilizing the shackle mounts posses risk of sub frame damage without additional buttressing (Read some of the previous posts). I purchased the DV8 knowing that it would require modifications and have accepted it’s limitations in exchange for the price. An advantage of the DV8 is you do not have to trim any of the plastic valances as you do with the Victory. If money was not an issue, the Victory would, I believe, a better choice, but at $849 for the powder coated version, too pricey for me. At that price I would probably just go with a full bumper.

 

fun fact, if you install it on an access cab you dont need to move any cooling components, slightly different set up, and its even easier to install.

For any future purchases, I want to reiterate what everyone says you do not need to remove the wrap around bumper, only the grill and the bottom black piece that is essentially getting replaced.

 

Is the TRD skid plate a problem ? Doesent appear that it should be. I'm warming up to this even with the light bar. Which I don't really need.

 

It looks like it will fit, but I would contact DV8 to confirm, they have been very responsive with me.
Address:
6400 Sycamore Canyon Blvd., Ste. A, Riverside CA, 92507
Phone: (855) 680 9595
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Email:
General Info: info@DV8offroad.com
Wholesale Sales: Guy@DV8offroad.com