c-ne-elk
Full Access Member
Well it’s finally done…replaced the front bumper with a ADD Venom with a Warn 9.5CTI and the rear bumper with a ADD Dimple R. Not without issue but I am so glad I did it.
Let me start off by saying something I thought I would never say about my Raptor…the factory bumpers are JUNK! The only metal in the rear bumper are the two metal plates that you see from the exterior. I did not weigh it but I bet the whole thing does not weigh more than 20 lbs. After taking it off I actually folded it in half just using my hands to put it in the trash.
The rear bumper went on without a hitch; unbolt the old one, bolt up the new one. Wire up the lights to the #2 uplifter and we are good.
The front bumper was a little shakier. The first issue was that the body rubbed the bumper in the center on the top. Not by much but just enough to rub. That was no big deal, a few shims (washers) and the bumper was moved out 1/8” or so and that was good. This did mean that I had to drill out new holes for the arms underneath for the new skid plate bracket where it meets the body but again no big deal.
Then I went to install the winch. Oh crap! Houston, we have a problem. The plate for the winch was set too far back. The winch would not align with the holes in the plate as the winch would hit the condensing unit. So it’s on the phone to ADD to make sure I am not doing something wrong. ADD tells me that I am one of the 1st if not the 1st to have a Venom with a winch so we could have a glitch and will need to weld on a plate in front of the existing one so we can install the winch. ADD also tells me they will take care of me and they were great in doing so. Fortunately, there is LOTS of room up front and there is plenty of room for a plate and to move the winch forward. So off with the bumper and off to the welder to add an additional plate and drill new holes.
Try #2 to install the front bumper…all goes well according to plan and everything drops in/bolts on like a dream!
Time to bolt on the fairlead…holes do not line up. There is some pleasure and some pain in being the 1st to own a prototype but all is not lost. A little drilling and we are good! Install fairlead and off to the office to use a bollard to install the winch line and we are good to go.
Or are we???? In working with Micah at ADD to get reimbursed for the welding job I had to do for the plate, Micah cleverly mentions a 40” behind the grill light bar…there is a sucker born every minute and I was the one born in that minute back in 1956.
So STILL not done, waiting on the light bar to come in and mount it up.
I thought the mid-perch or Stage 3 was the best mod’s I have done. After taking the factory bumpers off and taking a real look at them, I am rethinking that.
THANKS ADD for all your help and support!!!
Here are some photos of the finished product.
Let me start off by saying something I thought I would never say about my Raptor…the factory bumpers are JUNK! The only metal in the rear bumper are the two metal plates that you see from the exterior. I did not weigh it but I bet the whole thing does not weigh more than 20 lbs. After taking it off I actually folded it in half just using my hands to put it in the trash.
The rear bumper went on without a hitch; unbolt the old one, bolt up the new one. Wire up the lights to the #2 uplifter and we are good.
The front bumper was a little shakier. The first issue was that the body rubbed the bumper in the center on the top. Not by much but just enough to rub. That was no big deal, a few shims (washers) and the bumper was moved out 1/8” or so and that was good. This did mean that I had to drill out new holes for the arms underneath for the new skid plate bracket where it meets the body but again no big deal.
Then I went to install the winch. Oh crap! Houston, we have a problem. The plate for the winch was set too far back. The winch would not align with the holes in the plate as the winch would hit the condensing unit. So it’s on the phone to ADD to make sure I am not doing something wrong. ADD tells me that I am one of the 1st if not the 1st to have a Venom with a winch so we could have a glitch and will need to weld on a plate in front of the existing one so we can install the winch. ADD also tells me they will take care of me and they were great in doing so. Fortunately, there is LOTS of room up front and there is plenty of room for a plate and to move the winch forward. So off with the bumper and off to the welder to add an additional plate and drill new holes.
Try #2 to install the front bumper…all goes well according to plan and everything drops in/bolts on like a dream!
Time to bolt on the fairlead…holes do not line up. There is some pleasure and some pain in being the 1st to own a prototype but all is not lost. A little drilling and we are good! Install fairlead and off to the office to use a bollard to install the winch line and we are good to go.
Or are we???? In working with Micah at ADD to get reimbursed for the welding job I had to do for the plate, Micah cleverly mentions a 40” behind the grill light bar…there is a sucker born every minute and I was the one born in that minute back in 1956.
So STILL not done, waiting on the light bar to come in and mount it up.
I thought the mid-perch or Stage 3 was the best mod’s I have done. After taking the factory bumpers off and taking a real look at them, I am rethinking that.
THANKS ADD for all your help and support!!!
Here are some photos of the finished product.
