Rockware bumper

[flippedrover]

Just got my new bumber and have to wait untill the weekend to install it. :angry About how long does it take to install. I assume it bolts inplace of the factory bumper.

Tyler

[dmarchand]

If I remember correct, you have to drill holes in the frame for the vertical bolts.

In addition to that, I had to use a hi-lift to bring my frame closer at the front end. It was only slight, but just enough that I couldn't get the bumper on unless I did so.

Nice choice in bumper!:cool:

[flippedrover]

Thanks. Hmm... where'd I put the drill??

Tyler

[sherpamike]

When I installed my Rockware (right before Christmas) I didn't need to drill anything. I already had two vertical holes in each frame rail. Also, the fit was very tight. I didn't need to pull the frame closer together, but rather open up the "lips" of the rockware to fit over the frame. Install didn't take long at all once I figured out how to get the bumper onto the frame.

Rockware makes an excellent bumper. It sounds like they are definately hand made, and each is has its own idiosyncrasies like each rover does. Thusfar I am very pleased:grin

-Mike
BTW, Tyler, did your bumper come with hardware or do you plan on reusing the stock hardware?

[flippedrover]

Cool. Hoping not to drill anything. It didn't come with anything. I'm going to reuse the stock stuff. Strong enough?

[scoloco]

I bought my rockware bumper used (no additional hw). It went right on. I reused the existing 8.8 bolts - I've been told they are plenty strong enough.

[flippedrover]

Cool. Thanks for all the input. Think I'll put it on tonight. Cold be damned!!

[TwisteD90]

Yes you can use your factory bolts. No drilling required but you may have to smooth the frame a little for the bumper mounts to fit.

Good luck :)

[flippedrover]

Thanks. For all the help. Ok so the cold beat me. I'm waiting untill friday when I have all day to do it.

[rover4x4]

did you flip a rover?

[flippedrover]

No. I let a friend drive it off road after I got it. It was her first time driving off road and she nearly put it on its side.

[rover4x4]

hmm...

[rover4x4]

:nono

[Abrooks]

Tyler, do youreself a favor and grind off the chunk of frame below the holes for the bumper bolts. While you're there get some longer grade 8s (try Fisher Hardware in Springfield) and through-bolt them. Otherwise you're dealing with that damned clip with the retained nutplate that will drive you crazy.

Tony

[scoloco]

Anthony, what do you mean 'through-bolt them'?
I dealt with the nutplate - what a PITA.

[flippedrover]

Ok. Thanks for the warning.

[Abrooks]

What I mean is if you remove that bracket (it's not structural) you can drop longer bolts all the way through the frame and the bumper and use a regular nut on the bottom as you'll have access to the bottom of the bolt. Makes life a LOT easier.

[flippedrover]

Cool. Waiting for the rover and garage to warm up. Go little electric radiator.

[TwisteD90]

Don't forget to post pictures :)

[chrisvonc]

If I ever figure out why we cant that is.

[flippedrover]

All done. I didn't need to bent the frame but had to slightly bend the tabs on the bumper to get it to fit. Thank goodness for being 240 and that little slot that the lower tab slides into. It would have made a funny pic of me hanging off the bumper trying to bend it. I'll post pics as soon as I find my camera. It looks good now all I need is my synthetic winch line to show up and I'll mount the winch. I ended up using the factory bolts and that little tab thing. Wasn't that hard to use actually. Thanks for all the advise.

Tyler

[Abrooks]

Well fine then, prove me wrong!! ;-)

Glad it went well!

[flippedrover]

Hehe.:thumbs

[flippedrover]

So I went to install my old winch onto the bumper. As I was trying to get the winch off of the old carrier I snapped all 4 bolts holding it in place. Now should I be worried that the bolts that were holding the thing to my truck snapped with a little hand pressure?? Any ideas on how to get the rest of the bolt out of the winch?

[chrisvonc]

You could let a bunch of "Nut Buster" (ok.. easy, I think thats really the name of it) soak into the threads and then try an easy out. Or you could drill them out.

[flippedrover]

thanks. will try that in the morning.

[Mike Hippert]

Like Chris said let them soak in something for a while, sometimes as long as over night. Just look at the auto-parts store they should have something. When you put the new ones in don't forget to put on a ton of Anti-seize.

"Nut Buster" - When you remind someone that they have made a spelling mistake it would be called a "Nut Buster".
:grin

[flippedrover]

Soaked overnight in WD-40. I'm going to work on it after it warms up a little more.

[flippedrover]

I finaly got a pic of my bumper now that its all done.

[TDI Guy]

Looks great.... lol nice frog.

[PT94D90]

Awesome frog. Sweet bumper. I've seen some Rockware bumpers with a horizontal bar above the winch with light mounts. What are the advantages/disadvantages of this bar?

Example...http://www.robisonservice.com/eventpix/mudrun/pages/DSC_2347-rl.htm

[TwisteD90]

It's a light bar! He uses this bar if you want to put three lights up front, but sometimes he adds it if you want and I think it's $75.

I love the frog fair lead, it's sweet :grin

[flippedrover]

He called and asked if i wanted 2 or 3 lights on the front. I don't remember what he quoted the cost of that extra light would have been. Kicking myself though about not getting the limb riser tabs. Thanks I get a kick out of the fairlead every time I see it.

[PT94D90]

I think I'm going to have to get one of those bumpers. Tyler, how much was shipping? It would probably be close to the same for me.

[flippedrover]

All said mine was about $923 I think. I'll have to look for the shipping papers when I get home. It was shipped UPS not by a freight company don't know if this is cheaper or not. Its a sweet bumper. I've hit 2 trees with it with nothing more than some wood stuck to the paint. Very strong and it keeps the stock angle.

[kiefffff]

Very nice! That's exactly the set up I would like to have someday. Did you upgrade your suspension to handle the extra weight? Where did you get the clear lenses for the front lights?

[flippedrover]

I haven't upgraded the suspension. Not sure what set up I'm going to go with. I'd like to stay stock hight but have more downward travel. I'm currently running 125 of 3/8" synthetic rope. Should cut down on the weight some. Ahh the future mod list gets ever longer. Trevor at Treasured Motorcars did the rewireing of the turn signals and ordered the lenses from I think Rovers North. I believe they are for a SIII.

[TwisteD90]

Tyler, where did you get the fair lead and how much did you pay for it.

Kieth is going to kill me now :grin

[flippedrover]

Got it from http://www.rockdancerproducts.com I payed $138+ shipping. Might be a little cheaper since you live in Colorado.

[TwisteD90]

Wow, that's a lot of money for a froggy fair lead. I guess I'm sticking with my free Rover Tracks aluminum fair lead :)

[flippedrover]

Yeah pricy but I like it.