I just received my new bumper today. The Smittybilt M1 for my '08 FJ. I plan to solve the mystery of "how much it actually weighs" being as though I have not seen a straight answer to this question. I plan to post a PDF file of the installation instructions as well. Stay tuned!
Smittybilt M1 Bumper Install this week!
SanDozer
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@Desert_Fox The frame has crumple zones...
I took the 'ol girl out for a nice excursion on Black Friday, and was super glad I had made those brackets. When coming up to China Wall, there was a big ass dip before the rock, I hit it straight on basically using the license plate and the two D-rings as skid plates. LOL!! Bumper & frame came out unscathed! Rock On Custom Brackets!
I took the 'ol girl out for a nice excursion on Black Friday, and was super glad I had made those brackets. When coming up to China Wall, there was a big ass dip before the rock, I hit it straight on basically using the license plate and the two D-rings as skid plates. LOL!! Bumper & frame came out unscathed! Rock On Custom Brackets!
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3,587 Posts
Nice! Good on 'ya for fixing an obvious flaw in their design. I only hope everyone else who buys one of these follows the same logic, assuming they are planning on using it for winching.
Where in CO are you?
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547 Posts
On the Tundra, Smitybilt has an additional support bracket (part #93-7606 ) that bolts to the winch plate and where the OE tow hooks are mounted. There are a couple of other brackets but I am not sure if they are for the winch plate or outer bumper support.
Interesting that they would release the bumper for the FJC without this fix.
@shack, thanks for calling this out. @FJDragonChk thanks for the pics, I may be copying your design.
Interesting that they would release the bumper for the FJC without this fix.
@shack, thanks for calling this out. @FJDragonChk thanks for the pics, I may be copying your design.
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33 Posts
I'm in Denver.
Did you make those side plates?
Has anyone actually started to make a brace for this yet? Has anyone else had the same experience where the bumper has lost integrity when winching?
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2,414 Posts
I'm really digg'n the homemade support brackets. As soon as it warms up here I'll need to get started on a set of those. Sure it's easier to buy a set, but making my own is more fun. Never really crossed my mind to make those myself, Thanks for sharing the idea.
Do the brackets you fabricated connect to the Smittybilt bumper at all? Just wondering where the weak point is. If it's at the bolt on position or further down the horns. Have you tested your brackets? Thanks
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22 Posts
I have a stock 2014 FJ that I'm going to replace the bumper on due to my wife :crying and I really like the Smittybilt bumper. Will the weight of the bumper affect the way the vehicle handles or make the front end lower than the stock position?
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1 Posts
So do you still have the original skid plate or did what skid plate did you go with? Also how did you solve the solution of the bumper not ripping off when using the wench?
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71 Posts
Reviving an old thread here with some great information!
@FJDragonChk thanks for posting the pictures of the steel side frame support brackets that you made! Seems like a worthy addition. I was hoping you would be able to lend some more information as to what this bracket actually attaches to on the front most end of the FJC. From what I can tell in the pictures this support bracket does not actually attach to the Smittybilt M1 bumper itself...so does it attach to the winch plate? If so, where?
Maybe it is just harder for me to understand how the support attaches because I haven't pulled the trigger to purchase one of these yet and have never seen one in person... Any information (from anyone) will be appreciated!!!
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5,753 Posts
There's another thread I ran across on this very subject because I have this bumper. I love the bumper and I've put it to the test. I sunk my FJ in a creek bed and locked up in sand and water up to doors. I had to block it and double the power to 20K to suck it out, ruined and frayed cable it was in such a bind and the frame never gave up.
I've hit trees and glanced off them several times only to knock the bark off the bumper revealing the un-damaged powder coat beneath.
The bumper gets a bad rap for some reason and don't understand it. Hell you don't even have to move the washer reservoir for the love of god!
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73 Posts
I have spent the last two nights working on installing the M1 bumper. its on now ..ugh I said cuss word I forgot I knew.. the directions suck.. I had a hard time wanting to cut the headlight support bracket like the instructions say to.. but after the grill is back in it helps support the headlight on that corner.. I got shorted the control box mount brackets to the winch and called them and they are sending parts out asap.. like the look but what a pain in the arse.. the new square pods that come with it are really bright..they are pro comp 20 watts .. will post picture tonight
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5,753 Posts
I hear ya, I found and lost my religion at least 3 times trying to install that beast. I still love her though, Bobby Brown and Ike Turner combined couldn't deliver the amount of beat downs I've given that thing and it barely shows it. :smoker:
Reviving this thread again, I inherited an FJ with the M1 winch bumper installed & would like to install the reinforcement plates before hitting any trails, my questions are
1.Does anyone sell these brackets?
2. If no to question 1, does anyone have a template with dimensions marked to make fabricating them easier?
Thanks & Happy Holidays
Frank
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