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2023 Big Bend, SAS, Tow package.
So I just spent the last several hours installing the Rough Country rear bumper.
Good product for the price range: Powder coating is thin, the welding splatter is everywhere on the exterior and obviously powder coated over; and the fitting of the bumper was a trial on one's marriage. I had the bumper bolted up three different times just to get the fitment correct.
There's a cutout provision for the tailgate shock bracket that appears to be in the wrong spot (in my opinion). IF it was moved about 1/2" towards the passenger side, the install would have gone up the first time with no unforeseen issues.
Again, we are happy with product now that it's installed and I'm no longer racking my brain trying to figure out 1/8".
I don't want to bash the product, as the price is about a grand less than anything else out there. So some fitment issues would be expected. Having to cut a brand new powder coated bumper is another thing.
Trying to tuck the bumper up tight against the body put the tailgate shock bracket resting on the bumper. As you can see, there's a cut-out for this bracket, but it does not line up (and yes, the bumper is centered).
From the top.
From underneath
Here is the bumper angle without any adjustments or spacers.
I discussed the issues with a tech at Rough Country, and he was super helpful. He suggested readjusting the brackets and spacers (washers), which the spacers were lost in transit (not their fault what so ever). The bumper was left on my porch unbanded and lacking of all hardware to install the bumper. They took care of this immediately and without question.
So adjustments made: We lowered the hitch bracket all the way down to accommodate shock bracket. This amounted to 3/16" gap between the bottom of the bracket and the top of the bumper. We also installed one 1/8" washer to each side to the rearward frame bolt to level the bumper.
bumper leveled with 1/8" washer to the rearward frame bolt.
So all was good at this point: Bumper is even left to right (never a problem), the bumper level (even though it doesn't appear that was with the picture provided) and the tailgate shock bracket is off the bumper by 3/16". We would have liked to tuck the bumper up tighter against the body, but 3/16" seemed like a safe space between the bracket and the bumper.
Now the bummer part........
The wife wanted the back-up lights, so she optioned the slim-line 6" (two in total) back-up lights. In order to simplify the installation I decided to use the center pin on the 7-pin trailer plug. So I had the harness to the plug-in disconnected during the bumper installation. After wiring the lights up and reinstalling the plug-in into the harness I found that the bumper sat too low to open the flap doors for the trailer plug-ins. After careful measurements, I found that the bumper was 5/16" too low to open the OEM flap door for the trailer plug-ins (for lack of better terminology). The difference between the shock bracket to the bumper and the ability to open the flap doors amounted to 1/8".
So removal and readjustment where made. This amounted to disconnecting the slim-line lights wiring harness; not a simple process, since I was done with the wiring and it was zip-tied up and tucked away. Then unbolting the bumper from the frame and the hitch plate (provided with the bumper). After multiple minuscule adjustments and fighting over 1/8" we opted to just cut the bumper. Since we only plan on using the 4-pin plug, we cut the bumper to accommodate only that flapper door plug-in.
You can see the cut-out here. I only cut enough to accommodate the 4-pin connector. You can also see the amount of uncut material blocking the 7-pin connector.
After finalization, the bumper looks good and will do what's intended. The wife will touch-up the cut out tomorrow and nobody but us will tell the difference.
The welding spatter will catch our wash mitts and leave blue material that will have to be picked out every time we wash the Bronco.
The 6" slim-line lights are stupid bright and match the Oracle taillights perfectly. I look forward to burning peoples retina's out when ever we back out; and I will enjoy that.
Their tech number actually connects to a person who is knowledgeable of their product and is helpful. I appreciate that lost service.
Singleshot
So I just spent the last several hours installing the Rough Country rear bumper.
Good product for the price range: Powder coating is thin, the welding splatter is everywhere on the exterior and obviously powder coated over; and the fitting of the bumper was a trial on one's marriage. I had the bumper bolted up three different times just to get the fitment correct.
There's a cutout provision for the tailgate shock bracket that appears to be in the wrong spot (in my opinion). IF it was moved about 1/2" towards the passenger side, the install would have gone up the first time with no unforeseen issues.
Again, we are happy with product now that it's installed and I'm no longer racking my brain trying to figure out 1/8".
I don't want to bash the product, as the price is about a grand less than anything else out there. So some fitment issues would be expected. Having to cut a brand new powder coated bumper is another thing.
Trying to tuck the bumper up tight against the body put the tailgate shock bracket resting on the bumper. As you can see, there's a cut-out for this bracket, but it does not line up (and yes, the bumper is centered).
From the top.
From underneath
Here is the bumper angle without any adjustments or spacers.
I discussed the issues with a tech at Rough Country, and he was super helpful. He suggested readjusting the brackets and spacers (washers), which the spacers were lost in transit (not their fault what so ever). The bumper was left on my porch unbanded and lacking of all hardware to install the bumper. They took care of this immediately and without question.
So adjustments made: We lowered the hitch bracket all the way down to accommodate shock bracket. This amounted to 3/16" gap between the bottom of the bracket and the top of the bumper. We also installed one 1/8" washer to each side to the rearward frame bolt to level the bumper.
bumper leveled with 1/8" washer to the rearward frame bolt.
So all was good at this point: Bumper is even left to right (never a problem), the bumper level (even though it doesn't appear that was with the picture provided) and the tailgate shock bracket is off the bumper by 3/16". We would have liked to tuck the bumper up tighter against the body, but 3/16" seemed like a safe space between the bracket and the bumper.
Now the bummer part........
The wife wanted the back-up lights, so she optioned the slim-line 6" (two in total) back-up lights. In order to simplify the installation I decided to use the center pin on the 7-pin trailer plug. So I had the harness to the plug-in disconnected during the bumper installation. After wiring the lights up and reinstalling the plug-in into the harness I found that the bumper sat too low to open the flap doors for the trailer plug-ins. After careful measurements, I found that the bumper was 5/16" too low to open the OEM flap door for the trailer plug-ins (for lack of better terminology). The difference between the shock bracket to the bumper and the ability to open the flap doors amounted to 1/8".
So removal and readjustment where made. This amounted to disconnecting the slim-line lights wiring harness; not a simple process, since I was done with the wiring and it was zip-tied up and tucked away. Then unbolting the bumper from the frame and the hitch plate (provided with the bumper). After multiple minuscule adjustments and fighting over 1/8" we opted to just cut the bumper. Since we only plan on using the 4-pin plug, we cut the bumper to accommodate only that flapper door plug-in.
You can see the cut-out here. I only cut enough to accommodate the 4-pin connector. You can also see the amount of uncut material blocking the 7-pin connector.
After finalization, the bumper looks good and will do what's intended. The wife will touch-up the cut out tomorrow and nobody but us will tell the difference.
The welding spatter will catch our wash mitts and leave blue material that will have to be picked out every time we wash the Bronco.
The 6" slim-line lights are stupid bright and match the Oracle taillights perfectly. I look forward to burning peoples retina's out when ever we back out; and I will enjoy that.
Their tech number actually connects to a person who is knowledgeable of their product and is helpful. I appreciate that lost service.
Singleshot
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