removing bumperettes, permanently

[nsdq3]

OK, first of all I am deployed and during down time there isn't a whole lot to do other than think of things I want to do to the truck when I get home. I was playing with the idea of getting rid of the bumperettes and installing a curved light bar, but I don't know what I don't know. I know there is the plastic covers and the honeycomb behind it but that is about it. Questions

Is the honeycomb removable or would it have to be cut out
Is there anything back there that ties into the airbag system
How reliant is the structural integrity of the bumper on the honeycomb

Kind of surprised this hasn't been brought up before considering some of the crazy stuff guys have done to their rigs, so I'm guessing it is in the more trouble than it is worth category. Either that or guys just buy new bumpers..

Any insight or info would be appreciated.

 

[Rookie]

You could remove the honeycomb. If I remember correctly it has pieces that snap into the bumper and it's also glued. No airbag components on the bumper. The bumper is pretty solid, if you removed those there wouldn't be an issue

 

[nsdq3]

thanks, again surprised no one has done it. Well at least I can't find it. I found some flush mounts in the bumperettes, but not a removal. I think a 40" or so light bar would look good there.

Hate to ask, but again I am away from the truck, what is the distance from outer edge of the bumperette openings to each other. Will a curved 40" fit?

 

[Bulletnjm]

Couldnt see that as being as relatively safe place for a light bar. Seems to low and exposed, but thats just imo

 

[nsdq3]

light bar

Couldnt see that as being as relatively safe place for a light bar. Seems to low and exposed, but thats just imo

Wouldn't it be the same as the 20" bar that so many have installed there, just longer?

 

[Bulletnjm]

Correct me if im wrong but, you want to put it on the front of the bumper, correct? What i am visioning is it would be somewhat like a bullbar but only in light bar form?
Is this what you are asking about?

(Yellow being the exposed light bar)

 

[nsdq3]

no, I was thinking of removing the plastic bumpers and the honeycomb underneath, removing what else I need to and fabbing up brackets in order to install the bar in the same manner as the 20" we see so common in that spot, ideally a radius bar that would follow the contour of the bumper.

Might work, might not.....but I wouldn't do it if I couldn't recess the bar. I understand better what you were saying now, and exposed would be a bad spot.

thanks

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Replace the stock bumper with an aftermarket one. Without having to mod the common option is the side lights with either 2 or 3 lights and the 20" in the middle or the cubes on each side of the license plate if that is needed for your state.

Are you planning on taking it off-road? Planning on jumping or running semi-hard? Get the lights higher or give them protection. If not off-roading then go for it and just customize the stock bumper.

 

[Bulletnjm]

Ok, now we are both on the same page. I know release you ment recessed into the bumper. Ithink it is agreat idea as long as the bar is inside the bumper and not poking out. I was originally worried about it being to far out. I just didnt want to see anyone having a $600+ bumper light bar lol

 

[nsdq3]

bumper

Ok, now we are both on the same page. I know release you ment recessed into the bumper. Ithink it is agreat idea as long as the bar is inside the bumper and not poking out. I was originally worried about it being to far out. I just didnt want to see anyone having a $600+ bumper light bar lol

yeah that would be a bit dumb.....I would probably rear end a car 5 minutes out of the driveway.