WanderlostOverland
New member
We chose Southern Style Offroad's Slimline front bumper for a variety of reasons, the most prevalent was the weight. For our purpose, a daily driven "overland style" build, we didn't feel the need for a full width steel bumper. We did need a bumper that offered some protection for the radiator, feature a solid winch mount, and have sound recovery points. The weight we saved, along with keeping the aerodynamics of the front, keeps us closer to original gas mileage too. Another benefit was the money we saved on the Slimline went towards a light bar and winch!
We first saw Southern Style's products in person at the 2017 FJ Summit in Colorado. After talking with their crew and looking over their build quality very closely, we knew what front bumper we wanted. The welds they put out are a work of art in themselves!
The ordering process was extremely easy and downright pleasant. We picked our options; hoop for protection, 30" Rigid light bar, and a 10,000# Smittybilt winch.
Usually when ordering a steel bumper you can expect to wait awhile for production. This is where Southern Style impressed us the most. At the time of ordering we were given an estimated six weeks. It was delivered exactly in the time frame they promised! What's more, they sent us an email the day it went into production, when it went to powder-coating, and the moment it shipped out to us. I wish more manufacturers were this in tune to their customers. The anticipation was like waiting to open presents on Christmas morning.
The install went off without a hitch, thanks in part to getting all the necessary hardware and having the mounting positions line up perfectly. We see, and understand peoples reluctance to install one themselves, mostly due to cutting the opening in the stock bumper. Let me tell ya, it's as simple as can be and pretty much "dummy" proof, as we have proven. If you have a Trail/Offroad or Pro you simply use the "bumper cap" as a template. If an SR5 the bumper comes with a paper template which you can use to mark where the cut needs to be made. We were also amazed at how easy the front clip came off the 4R. just a handful of bolts and fasteners, a few tugs to release the clips and off it popped, easy-peasy.
Our bumper has been installed for six months, three of which spent on salted winter roads, the powder coating and fasteners are holding up fantastically! Aesthetically we couldn't be happier. The hoop is just the right height, so as to not obscure the stock styling. The flush fit of the light bar is an outstanding detail. Access to the winch controls is easy for such a bumper, through the openings cut in below. The bumper doesn't take away from the "tough looking" factory styling, like full width steel bumpers often do. This bumper actually adds to it.
Yes, we would highly recommend this bumper!
Here's a link to a full install video we produced. After watching it you might just find that you can easily install one yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZMNp-lGyaM
We first saw Southern Style's products in person at the 2017 FJ Summit in Colorado. After talking with their crew and looking over their build quality very closely, we knew what front bumper we wanted. The welds they put out are a work of art in themselves!
The ordering process was extremely easy and downright pleasant. We picked our options; hoop for protection, 30" Rigid light bar, and a 10,000# Smittybilt winch.
Usually when ordering a steel bumper you can expect to wait awhile for production. This is where Southern Style impressed us the most. At the time of ordering we were given an estimated six weeks. It was delivered exactly in the time frame they promised! What's more, they sent us an email the day it went into production, when it went to powder-coating, and the moment it shipped out to us. I wish more manufacturers were this in tune to their customers. The anticipation was like waiting to open presents on Christmas morning.
The install went off without a hitch, thanks in part to getting all the necessary hardware and having the mounting positions line up perfectly. We see, and understand peoples reluctance to install one themselves, mostly due to cutting the opening in the stock bumper. Let me tell ya, it's as simple as can be and pretty much "dummy" proof, as we have proven. If you have a Trail/Offroad or Pro you simply use the "bumper cap" as a template. If an SR5 the bumper comes with a paper template which you can use to mark where the cut needs to be made. We were also amazed at how easy the front clip came off the 4R. just a handful of bolts and fasteners, a few tugs to release the clips and off it popped, easy-peasy.
Our bumper has been installed for six months, three of which spent on salted winter roads, the powder coating and fasteners are holding up fantastically! Aesthetically we couldn't be happier. The hoop is just the right height, so as to not obscure the stock styling. The flush fit of the light bar is an outstanding detail. Access to the winch controls is easy for such a bumper, through the openings cut in below. The bumper doesn't take away from the "tough looking" factory styling, like full width steel bumpers often do. This bumper actually adds to it.
Yes, we would highly recommend this bumper!
Here's a link to a full install video we produced. After watching it you might just find that you can easily install one yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZMNp-lGyaM
