Shrockworks bumper install
Ok, so I changed my mind a couple times after I ordered my bumper from Shrockworks. Decided it would be the best to have all 3 hoops on the front and that I did want it powder coated. Thanks to those guys for making it all happen for me.
Friday drove to Shrockworks to pickup the entirety of my order. I didn't realize however that it would be in so many pieces and that it was so much stuff. I will say, my 3rd Gen bumper looked like a side by side bumper next to all the 5th Gen bumpers. It was a long drive, but not too bad into Texas, stopped by Voodoo Doughnuts in Austin. Barely made it to Shrockworks for pickup, (they even stayed late to help me). Their address is NOT GPS friendly. Got it all loaded up into the back of the pickup and headed out to the garage. Started putting it on at 6pm, and wrapped up getting the front on(no lights), the rear on(no swing out or anything else), all the skids minus the T-Case by 3 or 3:30 am. Then drove home. On the upside when we cut the frame open on the front, it was incredibly clean.
Bumper install- It was a little frustrating because it was considerably more difficult that I had anticipated. Thought it would be more bolt up friendly. If you have it powder coated just be aware you are going to lose about 1/4 inch on it. You can only grind the frame down a little bit. There is about 1/8 inch of powder coat on top of the bare metal. The brackets that went on the front of the rig to hold the bumper had to be no coaxed with a hammer, and some other tools. If they could leave those bare for others that would be great, or make the adjustment of about 1/4 inch. It was a real P.I.T.A., but I wasn't worried so much about breaking the bracket. With this being said, I also would like to see maybe a separate set of instructions if you don't have a welder, or don't plan on welding the cap on the end of the frame, versus if you do. I didn't plan on it till the guy I was working with rolled out a Hobart welder. I also wish that the bolts were labeled a bit better, even if it just means breaking down the hardware into steps. Like what you need for step 1, 2, 3, mounting the tire carrier, jerry can, etc, because none of it is mounted when you get it. The hardware for the front bumper was wrapped up into saran wrap the size of a baseball, the rear closer to the size of a soft ball. I still have a bunch of hardware I have left over, nuts and bolts. All of the hardware is there, but you just need to either one take the time before hand to separate it all, all your m12 bolts, m14 bolts, because you can't pick it up and just know what the bolt is, unless you are that good. If you are, good on you.
All the hardware seems to be good, solid, quality material. I am very happy with the purchase. I almost am wishing that I had someone worth a crap around me to be able just have sent my rig in and had them put it all together. I need to get the turn signals in and wired up today, and the Baja Designs Squadron Pros wired up to the fog stalk so it will be drivable without the hyper blink.
