Show Off Your Brute Force-Fabbed Gear!!

That's not necessarily true. If someone has the fabrication skills and tools they could build a tire gate at a later time. They just need to understand how to structurally reinforce the spindle.

This is what I did to my Relentless Fab DIY rear bumper. It only cost me about $150 for the spindle kit and scrap steel. You can see some of my pics in my build thread.

 

Awesome.

 

That's the exception. And if you ask Billy or other vendors they will say no. The gate bumpers are built around the spindle. It's the first piece in the jig AFAIK.

 

You're most likely right. I just like to encourage people that they can DIY.

 

Is white your final color?

Did yours ship bare metal?

What paint did you use?

Thanks.

Just sharing what I've been told from talking to vendors.

I wish I had your skills. One day I'll buy a welder and plasma cutter so I can really mess some stuff up.

 

Yes final color is white. Shipped bare metal, then went straight to powdercoat, its not spray painted.

 

ok cool thanks for the info the only reason I was asking was money related cause I can afford it with out the tire carrier now but the tire carrier is a must for me so I'll have to save a bit more first

 

Crappy photo.. Nicer ones coming tomorrow

 

For the people installing attempting to install a HC bumper on their own. These are the things that I wish I knew before I installed mine and since I didn't notice anyone posting these things, here are my thoughts based on experience.

Since there is some other good how to info on the forum if you do a search. You already know the basics. Remove your factory bumper, cut rear fenders and install new bumper but here are a few things I didn't recall anyone mentioning...

1. Recruit a couple of buddies to help! Two strong guys and spotter is recommended. The HC bumpers are heavy! I installed mine on my own with the occasional help with my wife to balance the bumper on a trusty garage jack. I had to go into McGuyver mode to figure our how to get more lift. I'm not really going to get into what I did but it included a pallet and pair of Rhino ramps and was NOT SAFE and NOT recommened. No fun asking the wife to try to balance the HC bumper on the 3 inch jack plate and surprised the bumper didn't fall on my head.
2. Have a thin/somewhat flexible straight edge available to draw the line for the dreaded "cut". I thought I could make the cut with the flares in place and I spent over an hour marking and drawing lines on the masking tape, wasting a lot of time. The lines ended up looking like I was on crack having a seizure! I ended up taking off the flares and removing/replacing the masking tape and making three marks... the edge of the fender, the middle point and a hair below the corner of the tail light and connected the three points with the flexible straight edge. I used a two by four laid across the top of my bed rails as a "controlled" reference point to measure down as I marked my three points so the line would be parallel to the top of the bed. Easy peasy.
3. Have new fender flare clips (blue and orange) in hand. You will break most of them when you pull the rear flares off when making the "cut". It will be easier to reinstall the flares after you make the cut (while the bumper is off) to see where you will need to trim the flares.
4. Linex is cool (to me) but it adds thickness. If you have similar types of rubberized coatings, you will need to grind that shit off since Billy's bumpers fit spot on. Removing this crap from every single contact point is not fun even with a angle grinder and stripper wheel.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tips

That sounds like a crazy install.

I always liked this self install with ratchet straps:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/barlowrs-06-taco-expo-build-thread.74926/page-4#post-1955658




How about a picture of your new bumper?

 

Heres a much better photo of mine:

 

Are people having problem with their bedsides flapping in the wind while driving? I think Pelfrey offers some brackets that bolt to the frame with a drilled hole behind the fender flare. Do these come with anything like that or are they needed for these HC bumpers?

 

Some brackets should have come with your bumper. I'll try to get a picture of what they look like mounted

 

I haven't ordered mine yet, just curious for when I do place my order

 

Yes, they are included, but no need to drill the fender

 

What brand primer is this? Is it rattle can applied?

Thanks.

 

I like it Scott! Just ordered and can't wait. I'm still debating on full hoops or center hoops.
Since your a LEO, what's your opinion on the license plates angled downward? Not an issue I presume.
Lloyd

 

Why swap out the radiator support bushings? Prone to failure?

 

It hasn't been an issue and I feel if it's there and it is still visible I don't think it's an issue. I personally thought it looks better without it. I had a hard time with that decision too. I ended up going with just the center hoop because I though it was a cleaner look.Either way you will not be disappointed.

They are prone to splitting, so I figured while I had the bumper off I would replace them. I will get a picture of my old bushings when I get home,!they didn't look very good.