The new bumper is just okay. I popped for the "premium chrome" (whatever that means). I was not happy that when they welded the adapter to the shell, the welds were totally unprotected and raw. Could have at least sprayed som rattle can something on them. That's what I did. I probably wouldn't tow with it but I put a brand new class V receiver on the truck so why would I. It will serve its main purpose which is to pass inspection and hold the license plate.
Here it is installed
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Already had crap piled on it today. I ended up using the factory mounts and a couple stacks of 3/4 washers to make it all work. The washers are taking up the space between the inner part of the C channel brackets and the bumper. It's a little ghetto but it's as strong as anything I could have made and much simpler.
On to the front. I was on the fence about doing the OBS cutout mod to my brand new bumper, but here it is.
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It pained me greatly to cut a hole in a brand new, never mounted bumper but I did it. Painted the area around the cut. I'm sure it will rust eventually but I like the end result.
And installed.
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See the opening gives a lot more possible air flow to the radiator.
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Some of you recommended welding the nuts onto the frame. Well, the stainless hardware kit I bought came with two serrated flange nuts. I wasn't sure at first what they were for. Well, turns out, they are for mounting the bumper. With the serrated nuts, you can tighten them one handed so welding wasn't necessary. Shout out to the wifey that helped me get it lined up without whacking the fenders. It's not perfect but it's pretty darn good. She helped me a bunch today. We joke that I need to borrow her ovaries to help me find stuff. Been a lot of that lately.
I started marking the grill for clearance but I was too tired to start in on that tonight. I'll do that tomorrow followed by buttoning up the door panels and interior. Add some lug nuts. Finish tying up the wires and such underneath. Then maybe a real test drive.
I have to say it felt good to stick the plates on it. Been waiting since January 2013 to do that.