<Build Thread> Kenai, AK '99 SR5

[psraff]

Also curious about your honest opinion on the CBI.

and...

Its been almost a year since you installed CBI rear bumper. Whats you're opinion on it? Pros Cons, rate from 1-10. Ten being best. I'm liking the rear tire carrier more and more. Thanks!

So far I like it. This is what I've observed so far.
The guy who does the powder coating can color match perfect. I thought I wanted to go gray bumpers and rocker panels. He matched that color perfect for me. The draw back is you get what you pay for. I think the powder coating was $100. Within weeks, I started to see rust in some of the hard to get to parts.

When mounting, you have to be careful to not push it too far forward. There are two rub points that it can touch (the two support points for the stock mount for the spare tire). If I was CBI, I would put small cut outs just a bit to remove that possible contact point.

When assembling the tire carrier onto the bumper... Grease the hinge well! I think I will plan on once a year, taking it off and clean the pivot point and regrease. It started to stiffen up after a years time. That's just general maintenance though.

There are a few rattles and noise from it. Some I found (one was the rubbing I described above). But it is several hundred pounds when fully loaded down so some is expected. There is one I would like to find in particular, I think it's from the weight of the tire or something.. I don't know.
But it's not because it's not well built. This thing is beefy and welded very well. I wouldn't say it's not weak one bit.

Because of the weight, you better have the right suspension to support it. That will help you like it even more.

But again, overall I like it. I hope next year I can get a front bumper and CBI is an option for that at well.

 

[psraff]

Great build man!

I really like the Suburu unit install, I've never seen one that clean. I may have to do it myself.

Many Thanks! Even though I'm in a small town and everyone's seen it by now, I still get and hear about people interested in it.

As for the unit install, it's very easy. And being in CA it should be accurate. For me being in Alaska, the compass is a bit off. In the manual, you can adjust the calibration a bit. But the limits don't extend this high up. I don't know if they made different units for Canada, Alaska, ect or not, but again, you should be fine. The Altimeter is always off. I adjust it several times, but it never stays. So I don't use that. If I need an Altimeter, I use the one on my tablet.

 

[beverly]

Looks good so far. I'm also interested in the CBI, so it's nice to see how much it cost to ship up here.

 

[alaskaflyer]

Great build. I like the new tires, how do they handle on the snow and ice?

 

[white_n_slow]

nice speed holes

 

[psraff]

Great build. I like the new tires, how do they handle on the snow and ice?

They haven't seen winter yet. It will be happening soon though; just had our first frost two days ago.. Hate to see summer go. :sadwave:

 

[psraff]

Tires

UPDATE: We didn't have a winter what so ever. What little bit we had, these tires were great. On one trip, I did hit ice and spun out but I wasn't in 4WD so it was my fault. Over all I highly recommend these tires. I've gotten a few comments on the narrow tire look instead of the common fat tire everyone seems to put on their rigs (which most never see dirt). These are the tires for me. Size and everything. If you don't like the narrow look.... I would say 80% of the people up here who upgrades their rig will put Toyo tires on them. That should say something in itself.

 

[psraff]

Stay Tuned! Front CBI Bumper and Warn Winch is ordered. Should have it in about two weeks!!!

After that, I'm sure I may have to upgrade my lift again. LOL Toytec, here I come.

 

[psraff]

Still waiting on my bumper!!!!! It sat in Seattle for a week... Now it should be here I'm thinking next Thurs. or Friday... I promise I'll post pics of it ASAP!!

 

[Unner]

Can't wait to see it. It should look awesome on your truck!

 

[psraff]

CBI Front Bumper INSTALLED!

Ok Everyone, I've been putting this off for several years now. But it was time, my OEM bumper was rusting more and more. Install was easy. 12 Bolts to remove and the front bumper falls off. I was able to do the full swap by myself in about 4 hours without rushing it. I didn't even use my floor jack. Just assemble the new bumper, pick it up and set it on some large wood blocks. Then slide it into place. Hold it, and thread several bolts in to hold it. After that, remove the blocks and finish adding the bolts.

I like how they have the bracket for my lights. You can slide your light back and forth so different sized lights will always be centered in the opening.

I will have to rebuild my grill. I had it cut up so my Light Force lights were recessed into it. Now I need to rebuild and modify it so it fits around the winch control box.

 

[psraff]

Grill Rebuild

Due to my front bumper upgrade, now I have to rebuild my grill. Originally, I modified my grill to have my Light Force recessed into it. Because it's a '99 grill making the Satochi Mod is a bit harder. But also, I need to make a new cut in the lower left of my grill to flow around the Warn Controller. I have a few ideas, and I want to make it different then the normal Satochi look. It's a work in progress, and I have several ideas. I've worked with Fiberglass and Bondo quite a bit in the past so I think I can make it turn out.

Here you see how it looked with the holes cut into it. In the lower right, I have begun filling in the lower section of the grill.

Here is an updated look. Lower Right Corner is filled with wood and Bondo. Also filled in the grove on the bottom section of the grill to give it a thicker appearance. I will have to cut several inches off of the left side of it to make room for the Winch Controller. I also left the upper section of the grill and I'm thinking of trying to build something to put an amber "glow" in there. I don't want just lights. But more of a glow. I don't know yet, but I did see a YouTube video on how to make homemade Angle Eyes with LEDs and those clear curtain blind rods. I might use that idea with a sheet of Plexiglas. I'm totally open to suggestions!!!

 

[psraff]

Its been almost a year since you installed CBI rear bumper. Whats you're opinion on it? Pros Cons, rate from 1-10. Ten being best. I'm liking the rear tire carrier more and more. Thanks!

Just an update on this post.... I contacted Nathan from CBI and sent a lot of pics regarding the rear CBI bumper. I had two areas of concern which caused rubbing and squeaks. To my surprise, those areas have been addressed already and are no longer problems with newer bumpers then mine. So kudos to CBI for always looking to improve their products!!

 

[psraff]

Measurements

This is for my own benefit as well as anyone who cares.... I forgot to measure my height before I put the new bumper on. Kicking myself big time for that.....

As is with current build:

Front, 38 3/4" (22 1/2" Hub to Fender)
Rear, 40 1/2"

I want a rake so when I load up with camping gear I ride level. Also, I just like the look. But if I end up sagging in the front any more, I'll have to upgrade. I was looking for 1 1/2" rake at the most. But I'm not going to spend another $800 because of a 1/4". Not worth it.

 

[psraff]

A few updated pics of my Grill Conversion from the fitting of the Light Force to the Warn Winch reconfiguration.

Have the old gap filled along the bottom.

This is how it looks with the "molding" around the Winch Controller. Some Bondo and Fiber Glass.

 

[Elesage]

Just great work... Love what you did with you're truck....:yo:.keep up the good work.:bravo:

 

[psraff]

Update on my grill.... I love the look of the amber lights on large trucks, and Raptors, but I really dislike copying other rigs. So I sat back and tried to expand on it.. I picked up some LED lights off of Amazon...

Amazon.com: AGPtek® 2Pcs 12V White + Amber Tube Switchback Headlight LED Strip DRL Daytime Light For Audi-Style - 60 CM: Automotive

I test fitted them into the top of my grill. I'm thinking of hooking them up to a 3 way switch so I can turn on either the Amber or the White. I still have more work on the grill, but it's coming along nicely I think.

I picked up some grill plating, and will cut and fit it tomorrow. I'm not quite happy with the black coating I used so that needs to be cleaned up. Maybe a spot of Bondo here and there. Now if I can just find my damn clips to fasten the grill to the truck!!!!

 

[psraff]

Finished my Grill! Have it wired up and installed.

White...

Amber...

I still need to wet sand some Nightshade off of the Light Force so they aren't so red looking.

I'll post more pics in a bit. And will have some closer ones of the grill itself. It's not 100% finished, but I wanted to see how this will hold up before I spend more time on it.

The White\Amber LED is on an old 3-way switch I had installed when I had two pair of Light Force. Up here most people will wire the 3-way so one leg in on your High Beams so they come on every time you run your High Beams. Because of my HID Head Lights, I no longer needed that configuration.

 

[BrianSD_42]

looks great

 

[MuddyButt]

so sexy