ADD Frame Horn Gusset Install

[Bronco_MI]

Trying to install my aftermarket bumper this weekend. After reading some of the forum posts on the frame gussets, I ordered a set from Addictive Desert Designs. However, what I discovered after the install is that the bumper nut plate no longer fits into place. So either I modify these ADD brackets - which probably weakens them - or throw $150 on the scrap heap and fab up some brackets on my own.
Just a heads up before anyone else wastes their money on these brackets.

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[Tricky Mike]

Does ADD not eliminate the nut plate? It's garbage which is why my kits came with new plates. At minimum if I were you I'd cut some "washers" from at least 1/4" plate and use regular nuts (I prefer nylocks).

 

[Bronco_MI]

Does ADD not eliminate the nut plate? It's garbage which is why my kits came with new plates. At minimum if I were you I'd cut some "washers" from at least 1/4" plate and use regular nuts (I prefer nylocks).

Yeah, that's was another option I am considering. There are other fitment issues with the brackets however, and they do not fit flush against the back of the frame horn as advertised. I'm leaving them off for now, as I'm running short of time and need to install a bumper. These brackets will need to be modified to fit properly.

 

[Fordified1]

I think you just need to cut the connection between (nut plates) off. I don’t remember exactly what I did but there was a chop saw involved lol.

 

[Fordified1]

I think you just need to cut the connection between (nut plates) off. I don’t remember exactly what I did but there was a chop saw involved lol.

Never mind, I used the LOD reinforcement brackets. My bumper came with new bolts / lock nuts and thick washers.

 

[Bronco_MI]

Never mind, I used the LOD reinforcement brackets. My bumper came with new bolts / lock nuts and thick washers.

Yeah, I think I'm going to fab up my own backer plates and use some good quality nylock nuts.

 

[mikec426]

Found this thread hoping to find a solution. Just ran in to the same issue… ugh…

Thinking about cutting off the part I taped in red. Probably easier to do than slicing into the much thicker A.D.D. brackets.

 

[Fordified1]

Found this thread hoping to find a solution. Just ran in to the same issue… ugh…

Thinking about cutting off the part I taped in red. Probably easier to do than slicing into the much thicker A.D.D. brackets.

Yes do that. It won’t negatively effect its strength.

 

[Bronco_MI]

Found this thread hoping to find a solution. Just ran in to the same issue… ugh…

Thinking about cutting off the part I taped in red. Probably easier to do than slicing into the much thicker A.D.D. brackets.

Yeah, I don't want to beat a dead horse or disparage the supplier, but these ADD frame horn brackets are not right. The "shim" leads me to believe that the die punches for the bumber bolt pass through holes were installed incorrectly when the tooling was manufactured. Unfortunately, that pushes the bracket over into a large radius on the inside of the stock frame horn bracket and they don't flush up to that bracket properly. I lined them up on the outside of the bracket to show where the interference is. If you use their supplied shim, you'll have to cut the corner of that bracket away. Or you can open up the bumper bolt hole locations to one side and discard that shim. That's probably what I'm going to do, since I have access to a mill.

 

[mikec426]

Yeah, I don't want to beat a dead horse or disparage the supplier, but these ADD frame horn brackets are not right. The "shim" leads me to believe that the die punches for the bumber bolt pass through holes were installed incorrectly when the tooling was manufactured. Unfortunately, that pushes the bracket over into a large radius on the inside of the stock frame horn bracket and they don't flush up to that bracket properly. I lined them up on the outside of the bracket to show where the interference is. If you use their supplied shim, you'll have to cut the corner of that bracket away. Or you can open up the bumper bolt hole locations to one side and discard that shim. That's probably what I'm going to do, since I have access to a mill.

Not running into a problem here. Trying to figure out installing a mod bumper (replacing base plastic bumper) at the same time.

 

[Oitadow]

I'm glad I stumbled across this thread as I am just preparing to do a rough country winch and mount install.

 

[Bronco_MI]

I'm glad I stumbled across this thread as I am just preparing to do a rough country winch and mount install.

Definitely want to review this post -

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...h-frame-horn-reinforcement.89740/post-2221060

 

[CMunch]

Found this thread hoping to find a solution. Just ran in to the same issue… ugh…

Thinking about cutting off the part I taped in red. Probably easier to do than slicing into the much thicker A.D.D. brackets.

I ended up just trimming little half inch notches (near both edges) of what you have in red.. probably reducing its strength but they’re still connected at least.. I didn’t just completely separate both sides

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

I ended up just trimming little half inch notches (near both edges) of what you have in red.. probably reducing its strength but they’re still connected at least.. I didn’t just completely separate both sides

That part doesn't need to be strong so you're fine. I cut the whole red part out while installing on another Members Bronco.
For what it's worth these brackets are still way better than the LOD brackets. I wish I hadn't used those on mine.

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