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Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
I will say that this bumper kit fought me every step of the way. I love dirtbound's design, and the final product looks great, but the QC for the DIY kits is SERIOUSLY lacking.
A few examples:
- The kit was missing a few pieces, which had to be re-sent separately
- Zero guidance / instructions / parts list
- EVERY SINGLE PIECE required at least some minor cutting/trimming to fit properly. Granted this is somewhat dependant on how you assemble the kit, but there are pieces i had to cut big chunks off of so they would work as intended.
- The tube for the swingarm that holds the brass bushing was too small inside. Luckily we had a hole saw that was JUST the right size, and a steady hand to drill the tube out from each end. *UNACCEPTABLE*
- The supplied tabs for the swing arm retaining pin had holes that were too small to actually fit the retaining pin tube. *UNACCEPTABLE*
- EVERY SINGLE BOLT HOLE on the tire carrier was punched too small to actually fit the supplied hardware. The round holes it's not too much of an issue to re-drill, just annoying. The big issue is that there are square holes for carriage bolts, and adjustment slots, neither of which you can just drill out. *UNACCEPTABLE*
I will say that this bumper kit fought me every step of the way. I love dirtbound's design, and the final product looks great, but the QC for the DIY kits is SERIOUSLY lacking.
A few examples:
- The kit was missing a few pieces, which had to be re-sent separately
- Zero guidance / instructions / parts list
- EVERY SINGLE PIECE required at least some minor cutting/trimming to fit properly. Granted this is somewhat dependant on how you assemble the kit, but there are pieces i had to cut big chunks off of so they would work as intended.
- The tube for the swingarm that holds the brass bushing was too small inside. Luckily we had a hole saw that was JUST the right size, and a steady hand to drill the tube out from each end. *UNACCEPTABLE*
- The supplied tabs for the swing arm retaining pin had holes that were too small to actually fit the retaining pin tube. *UNACCEPTABLE*
- EVERY SINGLE BOLT HOLE on the tire carrier was punched too small to actually fit the supplied hardware. The round holes it's not too much of an issue to re-drill, just annoying. The big issue is that there are square holes for carriage bolts, and adjustment slots, neither of which you can just drill out. *UNACCEPTABLE*
Haha no. But Maine lets you register a trailer completely online one a semi-permanent basis regardless of where you live, and if it's old enough you don't need a title, only a bill of sale. I can't get a title to satisfy Maryland's dumb MVA rules (registered the same as a car) since the trailer has never been registered/titled, and has changed hands a few times since being picked up at the gov't surplus.
That's why you see so many tractor-trailer trailers with Maine plates - cheap and easy to register them. I'm sure Maine makes a killing off it.
Ah. I wondered about that. What about if your trailer is homemade though?
Originally Posted by dukie564
i finally finished welding up my bumper. There is a rubber bumper mount and the hi-lift brackets still to weld to the tire carrier arm, and it still needs to be powdercoated, but it'll be functional for my upcoming trip. I'm hitting it with a coat of black primer for now to protect it at the beach.
Added a gusset to the frame mounts because i was worried it would bend on side pulls:
Got the rear quarter protection extensions fitted the way i wanted them. Dirtbound's design has them screwed to the body. I didn't want to do this, so they got fully welded to the bumper.
Welded up the tire carrier plate assembly
Let the grinding begin
Finished!
Thanks for posting up the pictures of the progress. Gives good inspiration to those seeking this kit or full diy in general.
Haha no. But Maine lets you register a trailer completely online one a semi-permanent basis regardless of where you live, and if it's old enough you don't need a title, only a bill of sale. I can't get a title to satisfy Maryland's dumb MVA rules (registered the same as a car) since the trailer has never been registered/titled, and has changed hands a few times since being picked up at the gov't surplus.
That's why you see so many tractor-trailer trailers with Maine plates - cheap and easy to register them. I'm sure Maine makes a killing off it.
Man, I love coming on this site. Learn something new with almost every click
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
Originally Posted by Basslicks
Ah. I wondered about that. What about if your trailer is homemade though?
No idea. I would have registered it in Maryland if it was homemade though - the process is easy that way.
That was my other option - providing a bill of sale for "parts" of a trailer that I then assembled, and getting a new VIN plate. More of a hassle though - needs inspection and $$
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
Tuesday night I got home from work and set right to work getting the bumper mounted. I hit it with a couple coats of black primer to keep the rust at bay until powdercoating. It was a long evening of getting everything mounted and finished. I also got the trailer operational to use for transporting my tires to the installer in the morning.
Loaded up an ready to roll
After a grueling 3 hour wait at the tire installers...
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
Immediately following the tire install, and a couple hours later than planned, we finally rolled out for the ~400 mile drive to the Outer Banks. Destination: Corolla Beach 4WD area, where we had a house on the sand for the next 4 days.
Jeep, Tires, and Tire Carrier all performed flawlessly. I'm stunned by how quiet these tires are at 75mph. Of course that's coming from baldly worn and cupped 33s, but still...
I have many more photos on my camera that i still need to go through, but here is what I have on my phone, including detail shots of the bumper/tire carrier.
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
Originally Posted by NewbJeep
Can't believe it's at 315K. Lookin good!
That's what my dash says. I never changed the speedo gear. I traced the mileage back to when it was stock, and through the stages of 235s and 33s. Based on the conversion factors I calculated to use with my MPG calculations...
My actual mileage the day I put the new 35s on is currently 347,202 miles (!!) . Add another 800 miles for the vacation to NC.
I should probably update that...
Last edited by dukie564; Sep 19, 2016 at 10:56 AM.
That's what my dash says. I never changed the speedo gear. I traced the mileage back to when it was stock, and through the stages of 235s and 33s. Based on the conversion factors I calculated to use with my MPG calculations...
My actual mileage the day I put the new 35s on is currently 347,202 miles (!!) . Add another 800 miles for the vacation to NC.
I should probably update that...
o_O You're going to hit the 400k Club and no doubt, the Half-Mil Club!!!
