*REVIEW* Artec Industries Venture Bumper

[Artec Industries]

I want to apologize for some of the delays in responding here, but I wanted to make sure I was able to provide some clear and concise information for you all.

First, we are not a large company, still only about 26 of us total and that includes a couple part timers. We do have a big social and web presence, but that is all in marketing ourselves properly.

We do care about every part we sell and unfortunately sometimes all the research and test fits do not sum up 100% of the scenarios and that we are sorry about.

So over the past couple months as we have heard about some fitment issues with some 4 Runners (We had test fit 6 different versions with local companies and dealers prior to releasing these), but we felt with all of the feedback we make some drastic changes to the bumpers.

First and simplest change was the addition of the shims. These shims allow the bumper to be spaced away from the plastic and reduce the rub to the paint. We are including these shims in all new bumpers and will send to anyone with bumpers that are tight to the body and need a little bit if space.

Second, we modified the frame horns to allow more adjustment during installation. A lot of the feedback was that we had too tight of a tolerance here, when we needed those holes to be more open to allow adjustment when installing.

Lastly, the small tab that was cut and bent, which was causing some damage to our shipping boxes has been made as a separate piece. This should considerably help with damage to the tab, as well as excessive damage to the boxes in transit.

Thank you all who have reached out and provided details on the issues you were having and if anyone else runs into issues, please feel free to contact me directly - [email protected] or 480-290-5993 mobile/text.

We definitely appreciate the help with this and just know we work very hard to ensure we have the best products in the industry and will continue to strive for complete satisfaction from all customers.

Armando Verdugo
Director of Sales
Artec Industries

 

[Artec Industries]

Does anyone have the install PDF for the bumper? The PDF on their site shows 404 error, I got mine last Wednesday and had it Powder Thursday. Should hopefully be installing it today but who knows.

There is not a pdf of the installation, only the full video install. That link was left there during data loading, I will remove it now.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

[llDemonll]

Does that tab attach with any sort of locking nut?

If not, might I suggest at least a nylock nut included?

 

[houlds]

There is not a pdf of the installation, only the full video install. That link was left there during data loading, I will remove it now.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Okay thanks for the reply, I am also curious to the question asked earlier about if these are made in house or outsourced??

 

[NoLight]

[MENTION=172970]bRYANT619[/MENTION] did they send you a new bumper? How does it fit? Customer service is huge to me these days it does not seem exist anymore but Artec seems to be trying.. I am thinking of this bumper too just want to know what your final experience is.

 

[bRYANT619]

[MENTION=172970]bRYANT619[/MENTION] did they send you a new bumper? How does it fit? Customer service is huge to me these days it does not seem exist anymore but Artec seems to be trying.. I am thinking of this bumper too just want to know what your final experience is.

They've set me another bumper and the experience this time around has been so much better. I opened the box to take a look at it and can tell they really listened to what their customers had to say and made improvements. I havent test fitted anything yet due to my hectic schedule, but I plan on doing so the first week of October.

 

[Artec Industries]

Okay thanks for the reply, I am also curious to the question asked earlier about if these are made in house or outsourced??

We make all of our products in house, both laser cut and machined parts.

Our building in North Salt Lake houses a Bystronic 4K Fiber Laser, 2 - Press Brakes, 2 CNC Lathes, 2 CNC Mills and a ton of other small machinery to complete off our manufacturing needs.

We only outsource for coatings, hardware and suspension ends and Joints.

 

[Okiyota]

What’s the word on these now? Anyone else ordered one lately with better install results? I am picking up a 2020 on Friday and like the look/features of this over all the others on the market but not interested in poor fitment, scratched paint, factory bumper popping loose, winch install headaches, etc...

 

[Yfz54]

How much does it weigh?

 

[cbanders]

Also very interested in the update version. I’m trying to decide between this front bumper and C4s bumper.

Thanks for the input!

 

[houlds]

I have had mine installed for two months at the writing of this reply. At first I was not a fan and was kind of disappointed in the bumper due to how long it took me to install by myself but I have gotten over the install. I got mine the OG hangers that were not bolt on style, it was a pain to line up by myself but I eventually got it all lined up and bolted on with no issue. My bumper on the driver side is popping out a little but I have also not gone back and fixed my bumper on the bottom of the Artec Bumper since I didn't cut it enough and puts a little pressure on the bumper cover (it is 100% my fault) besides that the bumper is awesome and the design is robust.

I ended up going with a Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 9.5k as my winch and it was a tight fit so I had to cut the hood latch, at first the hood had a squeak from cutting the latch support but I lubed the latch and adjusted the rubber so it is currently gone. If you use this winch you need to remove the black metal pipe bracket and just push it up a little but has not caused any issue since the install. I did some extremely hard winching this weekend (uphill and on ice) and the bumper held up awesome and the winch did not come flying out so that's a plus.

Overall after two months I like the bumper and wished I didn't install it myself and had an extra set of hands the whole time during the install. The only downside is you need to remove the Artec bumper if you need to remove the bumper cover which is a pain but other than that I have no issues with it. I run my stuff hard and will update if I have any issues down the road with it but as of now I have no issues.

 

[darkviking]

I finally installed the winch (Smittybilt X2O Gen2) on my Artec bumper. It has been several months since I installed the bumper. This thread helped me a lot, saving me tons of time. Thank you guys. And thank Armando from Artec Industries sending me the 4pcs shims and all your prompt response. I did not meet any other unexpected problems during the winch installation. Below are the jobs I did to finish this

1. Remove installed Artec.
2. Cut the hood latch, I tried to trim the whole down part off but found it was difficult with my rotary tool, it was too slow. So I turned to cut horizontally in the middle as an edge, and fold the parts below. I recommend doing this of cutting off. It saved some time and should provide enough space for winch.
3. Installed the control box on the motor, which made it contact with the silver radiator pipe, so I pushed that thin pipe away a little bit. It’s easy, pipe is quite soft.
4. Lifted and bend the black steering coolant hose slightly, so it no longer touch the control box. It’s just a slight lift.
5. Put two pcs of shims on each side mount. I used tape to bind two pcs together, then used tape to attach them to the bumper. It works well, the plastic bumper no long pop out near the front wheel well.
6. Torqued all 8 OEM self-tap bolts to 45lb.ft.
Below are something I did differently

1. I found my car jack cannot reach my bumper. So I turned out to use an old computer chair(dissembled the back and arm rest) to work as a jack. And it held the winch well in both removing and installation.
2. I installed a front rock camera in the bottom Artec logo. The size fit perfectly. The view angle is not perfect since it did not include the two front wheels. But still helped on wheel placement on trails.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[roborob1969]

I ordered my artec bumper back in february 2019 and had all the same issues as OP described.

I probably should have waited until all the kinks were worked out, but I guess being an early adopter brings some risks. At a minimum, I just emailed Armando to see if they could send me a pair of shims.

 

[Globetrotter78]

I want to apologize for some of the delays in responding here, but I wanted to make sure I was able to provide some clear and concise information for you all.

First, ....

Armando Verdugo
Director of Sales
Artec Industries

Armando,

It speaks volumes when a company is willing acknowledge the flaws in its product and to accept the constructive feedback of its consumers without providing some placating canned response and offering refunds. Instead, you took quick action to fix the product to be every bit the quality you and your staff hope to represent. This entire exchange and the photos showing said improvements just inspired me to place my order. I cant wait to receive my parts and proudly represent the Artec name. Truly, this is how business should be done.

With thanks,
Charles

 

[Globetrotter78]

Bumper and other Artec goodies arrive today!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE not having to wait MONTHS for a purchased item.

I already have my Smitty X20 ready and waiting, done my homework on the install and potential obstacles, and prepped for primer/paint job.

I'll keep you guys posted! :bluejump:

EDIT: Here they are!!! Well packaged and extremely well constructed, I couldn't be happier. LCA armor installed without a hitch though the factory skid did rub the ARTEC nameplate on the LCA armor everso slightly so I cut the OEM skid about 1/2 inch and all is well.

 

[CherokeeTactical]

I ordered one of these bumpers right after Christmas. It came in last week and picked it up from Powdercoating yesterday. I will say that I had the SSO slimline on my tacoma before I got my 4runner. I'm impressed with this bumper and enjoy the fact that I did not have to wait 9 weeks for my bumper to arrive. It looks very well built. Going to get it installed this weekend.

My only complaint is the tabs for the light bar. I did not get a Rigid SR series light bar, mainly due to the price, but the one that I did purchase would not fit. I'm going to have to make some adapter brackets this weekend so that the light will install correctly.

 

[Globetrotter78]

I ordered one of these bumpers right after Christmas. It came in last week and picked it up from Powdercoating yesterday.....

Yeah when I got my bumper I just assumed that I'd be modifying the bracket since I cant justify a light bar that costs more than my bumper. LOL I am beyond pleased and YES the minimal wait time was fantastic!!! Artec has been great to deal with and exceptionally prompt.

A+ in my book.

 

[CherokeeTactical]

So I got the bumper installed this weekend. Install was pretty straight forward. I went with the Smittybilt X20 10k winch.

Glad I read this forum, I did have to notch the hood latch bracket. Other than that install went fairly as planned. The bolts were a little tough as I don't think the holes were lined up Exactly or my mounting point was bent. Which that could have been the case.

I did have to modify the light bar mounting, by using U-bolt bars lol. worked perfectly. Overall, very happy with the bumper, it looks great, and well built.

 

[Brianmk12]

I am excited about this bumper. I will have a full review of the renewed version soon.
So far it is not working out like I’d hoped.

 

[adrummingdude]

Does anyone know if these bumpers play nice with the TSS sensor on the 2020?