k9ltd3
Member
Hello everyone,
I recently purchased the Addictive Desert Designs Honey Badger Bumper with loop for my 2024 Raptor. While the overall aesthetic and build quality of the bumper are impressive, I was extremely disappointed by the lack of functional consideration in the design—particularly regarding the removable skid plate section.
The removable portion of the skid plate is mounted inside the bumper using bolts and loose nuts. Unfortunately, the design does not provide any rear access to secure the nuts during removal. The only way to reach them is by disassembling the grille and removing the intercooler shutters—an unreasonable and impractical requirement for what should be routine maintenance.
This poor design directly impacts basic serviceability. For example, during my recent oil change, I discovered it is impossible to remove the oil filter from the bottom due to the skid plate’s obstruction. The only option is to extract it from the top—a tedious and frustrating process that unnecessarily complicates an otherwise simple task.
I contacted Addictive Desert Designs for clarification on why this design choice was made but, as expected, have received no response. Frankly, there is no justification for this oversight. A simple cut-out similar to the stock skid plate would have resolved the issue. Additionally, welding the nuts in place would have allowed for easy removal without requiring complete front-end disassembly. This is a basic engineering consideration that was clearly overlooked.
Based on this experience, I strongly advise potential buyers to reconsider this bumper if they value ease of maintenance. I highly doubt most dealerships or oil change services will go through the trouble of performing an oil change with this bumper installed.
Some users have resorted to modifying the setup with nut clips, but even then, the skid plate’s shape and design make removal difficult.
I sincerely hope Addictive Desert Designs takes this feedback seriously and re-evaluates their design in future iterations. There is no reason for a premium aftermarket product to create such unnecessary service challenges.
I recently purchased the Addictive Desert Designs Honey Badger Bumper with loop for my 2024 Raptor. While the overall aesthetic and build quality of the bumper are impressive, I was extremely disappointed by the lack of functional consideration in the design—particularly regarding the removable skid plate section.
The removable portion of the skid plate is mounted inside the bumper using bolts and loose nuts. Unfortunately, the design does not provide any rear access to secure the nuts during removal. The only way to reach them is by disassembling the grille and removing the intercooler shutters—an unreasonable and impractical requirement for what should be routine maintenance.
This poor design directly impacts basic serviceability. For example, during my recent oil change, I discovered it is impossible to remove the oil filter from the bottom due to the skid plate’s obstruction. The only option is to extract it from the top—a tedious and frustrating process that unnecessarily complicates an otherwise simple task.
I contacted Addictive Desert Designs for clarification on why this design choice was made but, as expected, have received no response. Frankly, there is no justification for this oversight. A simple cut-out similar to the stock skid plate would have resolved the issue. Additionally, welding the nuts in place would have allowed for easy removal without requiring complete front-end disassembly. This is a basic engineering consideration that was clearly overlooked.
Based on this experience, I strongly advise potential buyers to reconsider this bumper if they value ease of maintenance. I highly doubt most dealerships or oil change services will go through the trouble of performing an oil change with this bumper installed.
Some users have resorted to modifying the setup with nut clips, but even then, the skid plate’s shape and design make removal difficult.
I sincerely hope Addictive Desert Designs takes this feedback seriously and re-evaluates their design in future iterations. There is no reason for a premium aftermarket product to create such unnecessary service challenges.
