Bad experience with Metal Tech

[MountainClimber78]

I’m posting this, not to drag a company through the muck, but to warn potential buyers of a problem with the Metal Tech’s Stonghold bumper.
I’ve tried posting a review, they won’t publish it and only have 5 star reviews listed on their website so I’m not sure how many other people have had this problem.
I purchased this bumper because I’ve had several positive experiences with Metal Tech in the past. I have their rock sliders, they are actually on my second 4Runner, transferred to my ‘20 after my ‘11 was totaled. I talked to them in person at the Overland Expo in ‘18 as well as exchanging several emails with them about the Stronghold bumper prior to purchase; all positive exchanges.
The heat of the problem is that the mounting instructions show that the frame has changed on the ‘20 4Runner as compared to the online instructions. In the instructions they have you install a washer and nut on a stud welded to the frame. On my ‘20 ORP, it uses 4 flange bolts. Additionally the instructions have you drill out the frame where the power steering bolts mount in order to mount the support plates that actually take up the strain of the pulling force.
The issue is that because of the flange bolts these side support plates do not align with the Stronghold bumper and are about 5mm off, about half of the bolt whole is now blocked.
I bought the bumper Memorial Day, mounted it a couple of weeks later and originally contacted Metal Tech on the 25th of June, being put in contact with John Love. Since then the only response I got from them which even attempted to address the issue was last Thursday when John told me to just loosen the bolts and try again.
I have provided numerous photos to him showing the issue. I have explained that while I am not an auto mechanic I have over 20 years experience working on boiler steam systems and gas turbines. I have a fair idea of who mechanical systems assemble and I’ve tried explaining that it is the change in bumper mounting from the factory that is causing this issue.
In my opinion, the way to make this right, is to change the design of the side mounting plates to make up for the 5mm misalignment. I’m not trying to drag their company through the dirt, only trying to help them fix a flawed product, but the fact of the matter is that I have had roughly a dozen contact attempts without them even acknowledging a problem with their product or attempting a resolution.
My hope here is that I prevent anyone from experiencing the same issues. I’ll also attempt to upload photos of my issue for you to see. Finally, the bumper was $925 shipped, required drilling of the frame and cutting of the bumper cover. There is no way I can go back with this mod which further complicates the problem I have with Metal Tech.

 

[spartacus]

[MENTION=79154]MountainClimber78[/MENTION] ; Thank you for writing about your experience. Metal tech should have appreciated your input and made it right by you and in the process taken advantage of your input and corrected their fabrication process so future customers are not impacted. Sucks when companies think they are better then the customers that keep them in business.

 

[Akkording]

[mention=80984]mt4x4[/mention]

 

[llDemonll]

This is why everyone should always pay with a credit card. It offers you protection in the event that vendors refuse to play ball with major issues such as this.

 

[85GT-79FJ40]

This could be a slight manufacturing difference between years or maybe their jig was off a hair that day. Sure they should have replied to you. But honestly with Covid going on customer support from every vendor I have dealt with since has been lackluster. I work in auto restoration and I call vendors all the time. And on that note I learned a LONG time ago NEVER expect anything that's listed as a bolt-on to truly be a bolt-on. Nothing fits like OE especially when you get to stuff like this. This is minor compared to some of the stuff I deal with that's advertised as bolt-on. A couple minutes with a die grinder and this would be good. Sure you shouldn't need to do that but trust me it's nothing new.

 

[Iceman2430]

This could be a slight manufacturing difference between years or maybe their jig was off a hair that day. Sure they should have replied to you. But honestly with Covid going on customer support from every vendor I have dealt with since has been lackluster. I work in auto restoration and I call vendors all the time. And on that note I learned a LONG time ago NEVER expect anything that's listed as a bolt-on to truly be a bolt-on. Nothing fits like OE especially when you get to stuff like this. This is minor compared to some of the stuff I deal with that's advertised as bolt-on. A couple minutes with a die grinder and this would be good. Sure you shouldn't need to do that but trust me it's nothing new.

Yes, I’ve had some bad customer service in COVID-19, but I’ve also had amazing.

I’ve set our company expectations for response to better than pre-covid. We can’t afford to lose any customers.

That said, no excuse for non-communication, ever! I was thinking of some MT products, but won’t now because of that alone, not because of the issue.

Now with regards to the fitment;

Skids - All bolt on, no mods needed (Front, mid, gas)
Suspension- all bolt on, no mods needed (other than what was said to be expected)
Bumper - bolted right on, nothing outside of what was said
Supercharger- bolted right on, no issues, other than what I caused with the bumper/winch. Which I knew and expected.

I could go on, but when I buy a product, and they give instructions, and I expect certain modifications, and then need to fabricate to make it fit I’m not usually happy.

 

[MountainClimber78]

Yeah, one of the emails that I got (on July 30th) indicated COVID was an issue but by that point I have been in contact with them for a month with zero resolution.
As far as paying with a cc. I did but that doesn’t do much good when I’ve had to drill my frame and cut the bumper cover.
I can’t express how disappointed I am with thi company. For those of you looking I wish I had gone with LFD Offroad, looks like a quality product with easy access to the winch.

 

[JPOVS]

Thank you for writing this review. These are reviews that more people need to write so others don’t go through these problems in the future. I would write the review on Google, I hear there almost impossible for the company to get removed.
Very sorry to hear that you’re left high and dry with a front end that’s cut up and no bumper that will fit.
I had a very minor problem with Metal Tech when trying to complete an order a few years ago and I took that as a shot across the bow and ordered from someone else. It costed them a couple thousand dollar order then and much more in the future as there not even in the running since then.
I don’t buy the COVID excuse. You’re telling me that John has the China Flu and because of that he can’t help? Ok, that I would buy, otherwise get on the phone and help. Stop making excuses. It seems a lot of companies are using it to there advantage for an excuse. Longer lead times ok due to material supplies, but phone support I don’t buy.

 

[nglayton]

Do you own a drill?

Seems like an easy fix to me..........:shrug:

 

[MountainClimber78]

Yes, I own a drill, that’s not the point of this review or my continued attempts to contact the company. Metal Tech used to be a company that I liked doing business with.
There has been an obvious change to the mounting of the bumper subassembly from the factory that they need to take action on. The fact that they are marketing a $925 bumper that doesn’t fit out of the box and aren’t interested in addressing or updating should be a warning to any future customers.

 

[MT4X4]

Meta-tech 4x4 Response to Issue

MountainClimber78-

I wanted to introduce myself after reading this thread. My name is Ryan and I am the GM here at Metal-tech 4x4. While we were busy an had limited hours during Covid, it is not a reasonable excuse for not communicating or taking care of customers.

It sounds like you were talking with John, who did juggle many customers when he worked for our company. He is not with Metal-tech 4x4 anymore so I cannot check in with him about this situation. What I can do is try to make this right. Please feel free to reach out to us over the phone or email, I will be more than happy to talk to you in more detail.

I would very much like to offer something to make this situation better. I would also like to know more details, so that we can fix any issues and make a better product.

When we launch products, they should not have any issues. We make everything here in our facility and it is possible that there is an issue from time to time. Anything we can do to fix it, I am happy to look at and try to work with you.

I am sorry I did not see this earlier, please free to contact me.

Ryan B.
[email protected]
503-822-1111 xt.1

 

[mrblah]

Did the OP even bother to try to do what the manufacture says.

If one side bolts up or the holes align on one side, and the other side doesnt, then just loosen ALL the bolts and try to get all the bolts to seat before you tighten anything will actually help with the alignment even when it looks all but impossible.

I had this issue with another manufacture's bumper also, and it had installed just fine when I test fitted it, but when I took it off to install a winch, the bumper wouldn't fit. It took me a while to figure out what i did wrong. It was due to the tight tolerances. I had to loosen everything to the point that the bumper was barely hanging on by one bolt, and it was then, i can start ALL the bolts. Once, i got the bolts in barely, I had to tighten the nuts a little by little alternating from one side to the other. Otherwise, no bueno.

Toyota frames also have weird tolerances too....so I wouldn't point fingers at the bumper manufacture as the sole source of your problems.

OP probably figured all this out since this thread originated in 2020, and then disappeared after putting the manufacture on blast.