Options for rear CBI: delivery, pc, & install.. Need suggestions

[JWaldz]

So I have 3 options here for the rear bumper.. What would you suggest?

1) Have the bumper delivered to my house tomorrow. After work tomorrow test fit, then remove and modify if need be. Saturday paint and reinstall killing most of Saturday for the bumper

2) Have the bumper delivered to my house tomorrow. After work tomorrow test fit, then remove and modify if need be. Take to powder coater Monday morning and get it back same day to install after work. Have the weekend free for other mods. Really want to build my storage bins.

3) Have the bumper delivered straight to powder coater Friday morning. No test fit. Get it back same day, if not pick it up Monday after work. Install and pray there's nothing wrong with the bumper that would require to be sent back and wasted money on powder coat. Same concept had CBI had it powder coated but it would have been on them, not me. Like option 2 this would allow me to have a free Saturday as well.

Keep in mind I leave Wednesday morning for Texas and I don't want to have to wait till the last min. Has anyone recently gotten a rear CBI and everything fit just fine? Main thing I'm worried about is the fact I have a 2" body lift and their modification to the bumper might not match up perfectly. I really want to get it pc'd so it'll match the front bumper well. That and I hate painting. I would have had CBI get it powder coated but we weren't sure if it would make it here in time so we skipped it. Hmmm... what to do, what to do....

Thanks for any help!

 

[Stockwell45]

I had the same debate as you with powder coat vs. rattle can. I'd just paint it yourself, save yourself the money. I find I drag my bumper over all sorts of stuff, and it's so nice to just touch it up and be good to go. You'll probably have much more clearance than I do so it might not be as big of a deal, but it's still nice to have the ability to repaint it yourself anytime.

And if you do go the PC route, definitely test fit that thing first!

 

[JWaldz]

[MENTION=47153]Stockwell45[/MENTION]

I meant to add the powder coat is essentially free. I did some minor side work earlier last week that I don't usually do and it's paying for it. I just don't want it to be a waste if I have to end up sending the bumper back ya know? I'm sure CBI would work with me on it, but still.

 

[Stockwell45]

In that case, option 2 all the way! Sounds like you were leaning that way anyhow.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Option 2!

I like powdercoating for a peice as large and intricate as a bumper. It puts down a nice rust preventive coating on all surfaces of the bumper that you know will adhere very well to the metal over time. Then if you need to touch it up as you go, you still have that nice base layer.

Considering the powdercoat is "essentially free" and it will free up your whole weekend for other projects, I'd say it's a no brainer.

And you'll definitely want to test fit that thing. You are going to have to shim it to get it to line up properly, so have some big washers (1/2" ID, IIRC) on hand to put on the bolts between the bumper and the frame. Also, don't go cheap on the drill bit... get a brand new bit for $20 that is designed for drilling heavy steel. Use some gear oil to lube the bit, keep it cool, and keep the drill speed down to keep the bit sharp. You'll hate your life if you have to drill the frame all those times with a crappy bit.

So I have 3 options here for the rear bumper.. What would you suggest?

1) Have the bumper delivered to my house tomorrow. After work tomorrow test fit, then remove and modify if need be. Saturday paint and reinstall killing most of Saturday for the bumper

2) Have the bumper delivered to my house tomorrow. After work tomorrow test fit, then remove and modify if need be. Take to powder coater Monday morning and get it back same day to install after work. Have the weekend free for other mods. Really want to build my storage bins.

3) Have the bumper delivered straight to powder coater Friday morning. No test fit. Get it back same day, if not pick it up Monday after work. Install and pray there's nothing wrong with the bumper that would require to be sent back and wasted money on powder coat. Same concept had CBI had it powder coated but it would have been on them, not me. Like option 2 this would allow me to have a free Saturday as well.

Keep in mind I leave Wednesday morning for Texas and I don't want to have to wait till the last min. Has anyone recently gotten a rear CBI and everything fit just fine? Main thing I'm worried about is the fact I have a 2" body lift and their modification to the bumper might not match up perfectly. I really want to get it pc'd so it'll match the front bumper well. That and I hate painting. I would have had CBI get it powder coated but we weren't sure if it would make it here in time so we skipped it. Hmmm... what to do, what to do....

Thanks for any help!

 

[TCMach]

Option 2 all the way. X2 on what [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] said. Washers and a good bit are a must. I chose to file/cut a couple of the edges down because they still bumped against the body occasionally. It would be nice to do that before the powdercoat if you have to go that route.

Oh and make sure your washers are the right size for the bolt (kind of a "duh" thing but hear me out). I had a box of washers I thought would fit lying around so I used those. Turns out they didn't and I had to drill each one out. Yay for drill presses.

 

[JWaldz]

I talked with Nathan and he feels that the bumper should line up just fine and with the use of some washers I should be able to nail it down perfectly. I'm gonna go ahead and just have it shipped to the powder coating company to be done today, hopfeully. When I get it back either later today or Monday, it's GO TIME! I figure with the industrial bits I have from the BAMF LCA Skid install, a hefty uni-bit and a drill that will literally spin your wrist off, it shouldn't be a problem

Wish me luck!


Edit: Looks like the shipping company screwed me and made the decision for me. They wont be able deliver it until Monday. So, looks like It's heading straight to the powder coating company Monday morning whether I wanted it to or not.