US Offroad Bumper Install (with winch)

Question what did you use to cut the bumper and thank you for showing pics of it in the process I never see this and it helped me confirm my choice on bumpers lol

 

I just used some side cutters and a saw. It's easy

 

Do you have any pictures of it before install possibly?

 

I used the cutoff wheel that was also used to cut the tie down hoop. Then fine tuned the cuts with a sharp razor knife. Only pictures I took before install.

 

Here's a post cutting/pre install pic @13_trd_tacoma



The final prep for the US offroad bumper may look a bit different...I have a Relentless bumper.

 

sub'd...

may pick one up locally.. hmmmm...

 

Anyone actually put these into use yet? Looks beefy enough. I like the idea of having a winch, without a full blown armor bumper. I don't quite offroad enough to justify a plate bumper.

 

That's nice bro

 

I've pulled my tractor out of the mud several times, my truck, and many fence posts. It's been great. I got them to powder coat it as well, glad I did too. Year later with 80 mile round trips each day to work and not one chip, more than I can say for the rest of my truck. Whatever they use is tough as hell, better than spray painting it.

I also didn't want a giant off road bumper, like it's kinda undercover off-road. They're plenty tough enough, good gauge steel. You'll straighten your frame out before you hurt the bumper, lol. I love mine, people comment on it pretty often, but I've never seen another in my area. Kinda like that.

 

I've done many recoveries with a local rescue and recovery group. 10 recoveries that I documented using the winch, many being full strength pulls at crazy angles and large vehicles. It's also been used as an anchor point and for kinetic strap recoveries. Total winch uses, likely near 20... Two of those being for me.



So it has been well used and shows no signs of any issues. I have the USoffroad one.

 

Curious, did you rattle can yours or have them powder coat it?

 

Spray canned... Paint, bed liner. I'm usually not a fan of powdercoat since it usually ends up rusting from inside after little chips, but seems like they may have a good powder coater from others input.

Speaking of, i need to do some more touch up on the sliders that i bought powdercoated and are rusting.

 

Obviously the replies above illustrate the overall strength of our winch mount. We have sold hundreds (closing in on 1000) all over the world. We have them in use in Hawaii on sugar plantations, on the Amazon with 3 different missionary groups, all over the Middle East...and of course in just about every state here in the USA. All we receive are great reports from our customers!

 

I was just asking... I usually like to see in use photos to help me make my mind. Mounted on a fresh vehicle isn't enough. It's an awesome looking product for sure though. Got my eye on it.

That's impressive! You got one hell of a drive my friend!

What rope or wire are you using?

I like that it's semi discreet. Keep the thieves at bay (not really). Had my eye on these off and on for a while, been too busy to hit trails. So I eventually forgot about them.

Now that's what I wanted to hear! Glad to see your really putting yours to use. Added to my christmas wishlist. =)

 

Maybe this has been covered before, but y'all may want to check your lower AC line. Bumper was starting to rub a hole through mine. Had to take it off and notch it. Took 2 years or however long i've had it, to get to this though. @usoffroad

 

I just checked mine. I got 1/4 inch spacing between my (US Offroad) winch bumper and AC line. My guess its how high the bumper was held when the bolts were snugged up. Now after 4 years, you’ve made me paranoid.

 

I've never seen one rub out of the 1000+ we've sold. Was your truck ever hit in the front? AC system ever been off and reinstalled?

No matter the positioning of the mount that our mount holes allow.. it should never touch the AC line.

 

No wrecks or AC work, until this anyway, lol. Lost a little freon and started lookin for leaks, then i remembered the small tolerance and checked this location and sure enough.

It was always very close though. I'd say 1/8 to 1/4". I remember noticing how close it was when i installed and thinking i should notch a small groove. It could just be variances in MFG, who knows.

I installed 5100's and they were not up to par and caused some good cupping on the tires, regardless of numerous balances, road force balances, and alignments. The cupped tires probably contributed to front end bounce/vibration and caused line to hit bumper. Not sure. Have since installed TRD Pro setup, that has alleviated that. Anyhow, i created plenty of room, with a good size notch, lol. Just JB welded the pin hole, as a temp fix, and its been holding up fine so far.

Still completely happy with bumper and recommend it to anyone, just puttin out the info. Just in case others have a small tolerance and may want to alter a bit as i did.

 

Can't see the gap from this angle, but there was a small one, i figured allowed for enough tolerance. I'm actually pushing the condenser back a bit to show the rub. I imagine the vibration from the cupped tires may have been the main contributing factor. Line and condenser actually move pretty easily, i didnt have to push on condenser very hard to allow for movement to see the line.

 

Nothing wrong with bringing this up. I ALWAYS want feedback of any kind. There are large variations from truck to truck... FJ's are the same way, some will have an 1" of clearance, some 1/4". If something is a little close it never hurts to split some fuel line and zip tie it around the line... the bend in your line makes that a bit difficult though. The notches we cut for the AC lines have always provided plenty of clearance but maybe yours was just one of those that had some shift in the shape of the AC line or something. It's a common issue on just about any aftermarket bumper out there for Tacos and FJ's.. .especially FJ's.

Email me some high res pics of your truck.. including the one above... and all of your mods and I'll post it up on our sites. brad @ usoffroad . us