Dec 14, 2021
PSUTE, Wood J
Last edited by a moderator:
Dec 14, 2021
What did you do to your Bronco today?
Padams7
Dec 14, 2021
Tue at 12:31 am
#6660
So over the last couple of days I finally got around to installing my new rear bumper with swing arm tire carrier. It took me a long time to pull the trigger on my purchase. I found several excellent brand of bumpers with the swing arm, but I had one big hang up. I wanted one that put the license plate in the same factory spot and which utilized the factory sensors without any kind of reprogramming. All of the other brands I looked at had 3/16th” steel and a variety of looks. But only one checked all my boxes. And that was the Rock Hard 4x4, Patriot series. Even then it had one aspect that caused me some hesitancy. And that was the weight. Theirs is made of 1/4” steel and it is very, very heavy.
After a lot of research I found that with my new, fully adjustable suspension would be able to be dialed in to account for the extra weight. If I remember correctly the stock bumper weighed in somewhere around 50 lbs, and the new set up comes in right at 220 lbs. So Friday afternoon I began, breaking up the installation over three days. When I received the pallet with the two large boxes back in May they were really packed well. Swing arm (76 lbs) in one box and the bumper (144 lbs) in the other. This thing is really well made.
The installation while taking a good amount of time isn’t hard per se, it required a lot of focus and watching the installation video numerous times. The parts bag came with a lot of nuts and bolts which upon inspection came with extras that don’t get used on my particular installation. The difficulty was that there was no parts list and no installation instructions other than the installation video. As installation videos go, this one was actually not bad, but like all aftermarket products I have dealt with, they always leave out how difficult certain steps can be. Again par for the course and I have come to expect this with everything. So again, take your time and don’t be in a rush. And review, review, review as you go through every step. You absolutely want a second person with a strong back to move the bumper around and a set of jack stands and a good floor jack.
There were a couple of issues in regards to missing parts, damage, and fit and finish on two parts. The parts that were missing were three clips that the wiring harness run through along the swing arm. The one damaged pard was a pre-installed rubber gasket that contains a circular spring. This sits directly on top of the upper swing arm bearing. The spring was bad. In regards to fit and finish, there is a billet aluminum end cap that goes into the end of the swing arm latch mechanism. I used my Dremel tool to sand and grind it down to fit. The second item was the rubber bumper that secures between the pack of the swing arm and the new rear plate that covers the vines on the rear door. I used a utility knife to cut that down.
After a lot of research I found that with my new, fully adjustable suspension would be able to be dialed in to account for the extra weight. If I remember correctly the stock bumper weighed in somewhere around 50 lbs, and the new set up comes in right at 220 lbs. So Friday afternoon I began, breaking up the installation over three days. When I received the pallet with the two large boxes back in May they were really packed well. Swing arm (76 lbs) in one box and the bumper (144 lbs) in the other. This thing is really well made.
The installation while taking a good amount of time isn’t hard per se, it required a lot of focus and watching the installation video numerous times. The parts bag came with a lot of nuts and bolts which upon inspection came with extras that don’t get used on my particular installation. The difficulty was that there was no parts list and no installation instructions other than the installation video. As installation videos go, this one was actually not bad, but like all aftermarket products I have dealt with, they always leave out how difficult certain steps can be. Again par for the course and I have come to expect this with everything. So again, take your time and don’t be in a rush. And review, review, review as you go through every step. You absolutely want a second person with a strong back to move the bumper around and a set of jack stands and a good floor jack.
There were a couple of issues in regards to missing parts, damage, and fit and finish on two parts. The parts that were missing were three clips that the wiring harness run through along the swing arm. The one damaged pard was a pre-installed rubber gasket that contains a circular spring. This sits directly on top of the upper swing arm bearing. The spring was bad. In regards to fit and finish, there is a billet aluminum end cap that goes into the end of the swing arm latch mechanism. I used my Dremel tool to sand and grind it down to fit. The second item was the rubber bumper that secures between the pack of the swing arm and the new rear plate that covers the vines on the rear door. I used a utility knife to cut that down.
WeakNinja, adcam
Tue at 12:35 am
#6661
raqball, SHOcall
Tue at 12:40 am
#6662
raqball, SHOcall
Tue at 10:44 pm
#6663
‘23 Hot Pepper Red Wildtrak 2.7L-V6 4 dr. MIC Sas Lux and Lovin’ it!!
raqball, MattArmfield-STL
Fri at 7:26 pm
#6664
*No political comments on this please. I've been around firearms for 45 years, I have concealed carry permit for my pistol, and I have underwent FBI and ATF background checks.
I know there are better mounting systems for rifles in a Bronco but I wanted something simple, easy and semi-secure. While this may not look secure, it actullly is for most off-roading. It however would NOT be secure in a roll over.
I might change this up to an overhead rack / mount at some point but this will do for now. The weapon is only stored in this configuration where legal and when out on trails.
You can legally (as long as you are not otherwise prohibited from having a firearm and are in compliance with that States Law) carry them in National Forests. Check the states firearm laws to make sure what you are carying is legal in that State.
Most, if not all, of my trips are to and in National Forests. When traveling, or at my base camp, the weapon is stored / kept inside my camper.
I also carry a pistol and a few knives. LOL
These are mainly for wildlife defense. I go out to remote areas all by my lonesome and do not want to become lunch for a predator..
I think these seatback hooks were like $10 at Amazon..
They are rubberized and the weight of the rifle helps to hold it secure and in place. The suppressor is Titanuim so getting the rubberized version will help protect it from scratches etc...
I know there are better mounting systems for rifles in a Bronco but I wanted something simple, easy and semi-secure. While this may not look secure, it actullly is for most off-roading. It however would NOT be secure in a roll over.
I might change this up to an overhead rack / mount at some point but this will do for now. The weapon is only stored in this configuration where legal and when out on trails.
You can legally (as long as you are not otherwise prohibited from having a firearm and are in compliance with that States Law) carry them in National Forests. Check the states firearm laws to make sure what you are carying is legal in that State.
Most, if not all, of my trips are to and in National Forests. When traveling, or at my base camp, the weapon is stored / kept inside my camper.
I also carry a pistol and a few knives. LOL
These are mainly for wildlife defense. I go out to remote areas all by my lonesome and do not want to become lunch for a predator..
I think these seatback hooks were like $10 at Amazon..
They are rubberized and the weight of the rifle helps to hold it secure and in place. The suppressor is Titanuim so getting the rubberized version will help protect it from scratches etc...
onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
G Lusted, Gyoja
Fri at 7:45 pm
#6665
G Lusted, raqball
Fri at 7:49 pm
#6666
onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
G Lusted, Gyoja
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