Mine is also popping out on the passenger side.
Like you, I also just had my front bumper repainted prior to installing the winch bumper.. its not completely scratched up in the same locations as yours.
*REVIEW* Artec Industries Venture Bumper
- Thread starter bRYANT619
- Start date
Mine is also popping out on the passenger side.
Like you, I also just had my front bumper repainted prior to installing the winch bumper.. its not completely scratched up in the same locations as yours.
I installed the control box over the motor. If you install it over the drum, it will make contact with a black hose (pictured) that is not bendable and therefore it will not fit. Installing the control box over the motor is a nearly perfect fit and allows easy access to the switch through the left front opening on the bumper. Note** I replaced the wireless switch on the control box with an aftermarket switch from Amazon ($12.95) because it is fell apart. Smittybilt sent me a replacement and it also fell apart. They know the switch is an issue and are looking for a new manufacturer of that specific part. Here is the link to the switch on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039KZP4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You may notice my front tie bar is missing in the photos. Long story short, I mangled the tie bar on the initial bumper install when it would not align and I couldn't figure out what the issue was. (I was doing the install myself by hand, heavy as sh**). I swapped the front tie bar to the rear and Smittybilt sent me a replacement for the mangled one. There are two very small metal dowels that align the tie bar and I lost one in the process of reinstalling the new tie bar (fml), so I am awaiting on those to arrive in the mail any day now.
In Artec's install video there is no winch installed so keep that in mind and trim the hood latch bar. I circled it in one of my photos for reference. The black wire running behind it is the power wire to the winch running to the battery.
Also their instruction of how to trim the black air flow pieces isn't even close. Don't be afraid to trim that entire area off on both sides because you're going to need the room to move your hands (and tools) inside if you install a light bar and need to make any adjustments without removing the entire bumper.
I have yet to hear back from anyone from Artec about a solution or even a follow up to my emails and phone calls.
Attachments
Artec Industries
New member
Please email me directly and I will get you some details on a fix for this.
We have been testing on a few different vehicles to verify fit and found that some of the plastic molds deviate quite a bit.
As this is a new product we will continue to look at changes and provide fixes to ensure proper fitment.
Armando
[email protected]
Artec Industries
New member
There is a Superwinch Tigershark 10k winch on ours. I am sending a message to R&D for specs on the torque. Will update on that when I get information.
Thank you,
Armando
Artec Industries
New member
My information is posted here for everyone. If you have any issues, please reach out to me directly and I will get you sorted.
Artec Industries
New member
We have been working a lot behind the scenes to do more test fits and measurements on a few more vehicles. The results we are finding is that there are some pretty good variations in both the plastic mold and frame horns when being built.
So, we are making some adjustments to the frame horn mounts to allow a bit more movement to allow install across the variations. Keep in mind this will work in most cases and there may be some instances where the horns deviate a bit more than expected and may need to have the holes opened up slightly more to accommodate that.
We will be including the shims, as seen the attached pdf document, with every bumper. This will allow for the installer to space out the bumper in 1/16" increments to clear the plastic. Not all installations will require the shims, but every bumper will be shipped with these.
If you already have a bumper and need the shims, please email me directly at [email protected] with an address and information on who you ordered from and I will get you these sent.
We thank those of you who have reached out and helped us resolve some of these issues and like all of our products, we will always strive to make them the best possible and do listen to feedback.
Thank you.
Armando
So, we are making some adjustments to the frame horn mounts to allow a bit more movement to allow install across the variations. Keep in mind this will work in most cases and there may be some instances where the horns deviate a bit more than expected and may need to have the holes opened up slightly more to accommodate that.
We will be including the shims, as seen the attached pdf document, with every bumper. This will allow for the installer to space out the bumper in 1/16" increments to clear the plastic. Not all installations will require the shims, but every bumper will be shipped with these.
If you already have a bumper and need the shims, please email me directly at [email protected] with an address and information on who you ordered from and I will get you these sent.
We thank those of you who have reached out and helped us resolve some of these issues and like all of our products, we will always strive to make them the best possible and do listen to feedback.
Thank you.
Armando
Artec Industries
New member
Torque specs for Metric Bolts is 57 lbs for 12.9 spec and 47 lbs for 10.9 spec.
Hope this helps.
darkviking
New member
This is very helpful. Thank you.
darkviking
New member
Thank you for detailed instruction. It will save me a lot of time.
Let me know how the new fitment is. I'd like to inquire about a new one also if they addressed the issues.
Dinosaur Overland
New member
Looks like they are at least working with people so that is good. I am not ready to pull the trigger on a front bumper yet but will pay close attention to this thread to see how everyone makes out.
Their fitment might not be the best, but they've had great communication in this thread so far. they owned up to the mistakes and explained how they happened, which is FAR better than some other big-name vendors have been doing recently, and they also seem to want to resolve the issues with customers (such as a replacement bumper, etc)
Im actually planning to update my review to reflect that. Armando has been very helpful and professional. He genuinely cares about making it right, which is better than most other vendors I must say. Definitely listened to what I had to say and he told me he would pass all my recommendations along to R&D.
Theyre in the process of sending me another bumper to test fit, which I was told should have most, if not all of my initial issues addressed.
