Winch bumper- CBI

[DewarT]

I spent a lot of time researching winch bumpers, online, at Bronco events and on here (thanks to those that have answered innumerable questions).

CBI originally made my short list due to the design, styling and it appeared to be shorter overhang. CBI appears to be big in the Toyota world and has some really nice options for that brand, so they aren’t new to winch bumpers.
CBI Baja Bronco Bumper

I reached out to them- and didn’t get alot of info- no available write ups, no instructions, didn’t know if it would fit a Braptor, couldn’t really answer questions on ACC issues. I saw this with alot of vendors- most simply don’t have access to a number of different Broncos to check everything. Chase Gentry did an install video, but he was clearly frustrated with the install and it wasn’t clear. I was looking at $2,300+ shipped and 12+ week lead time, and not knowing if it fit the Braptor, I moved them to the bottom of the short list.

A member here parted with his Bronco and was selling his CBI. he was only a few hours down the road, so we arranged to meet. It was in great shape, so I picked it up. I knew I could modify it as needed to fit and be functional.

The bumper is two pieces- the winch cradle and bumper shell.

compared to the stock Raptor bumper

it looked straightforward, but the prior owner clarified a couple issues. Mainly to upgrade the factory mounting bolts and the second was to unwrap a bunch of the factory sensor wiring to wire it up. He also noted constant issues with ACC and after two different brackets- never got it to work 100%.

I upgraded to 9/16” Grade 8 bolts with washers on both sides, but haven’t added any additional frame bracing yet. The frame horns are not great, so something will be added down the road.
factory bolt compared to 9/16”

Winch cradle mounted (without wiring)

Wiring is fairly easy, I laid the bumpers next to each other after disassembling the factory bumper- this was a major pain and there are a lot of videos online about this. I had the added factory fog light harness built in and will later repurpose that for other lights.

The white connector needed to reach the sensor in the middle of the bumper, so i had to untape and and retape. I didn’t need to cut and extend any wires.

6 bolts to the frame, 8 stainless bolts for the shell and it was mounted. Wiring took the most time. It needed to be zip tied to the winch cradle first and then connected to the shell and and sensors after it was bolted up.

no provisions for front license plates (required in Virginia), but I will get something to mount under fairlead when I get the winch.

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[MORaptor1]

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[DewarT]

A few notes- I did nothing with the ACC at this time. it’s not in the way of the bumper or winch and has thrown no codes being blocked. I really never used ACC and as the prior owner had issues- I figured I would do without for now. I was concerned with the crash avoidance system, but it’s clearly only for Cruise Control. I believe the bottom center plate could be cut out and the ACC lowered with a JCR type bracket, but will wait on that.

as the Raptor body is wider- I was (am) concerned with the fit at the corners. The frame and body flex independently of each other, so clearance is critical. The CBI bumper was clearly shaped to fit the stock Bronco fenders.

the edge of the bumper aligns with the flare pretty well and fender pretty well. It also doesn’t appear to limit tire size/flex like some others I have seen.

I flexed the suspension in a ditch to check movement (with sway bar connected). And while it closed the gap, there is still 1/2”

also- definitely need to install the camera relocation kit. I got the DV-8 version with the bumper.

I found these attached to the backside of the stock bumper and nothing plugged into them. They appear to be for fog light plugs (that’s what they match), but weren’t wired to anything. Why did Ford include these?

 

[DewarT]

Finally got the winch in- VR EVO 12S. Man the hardware that comes with these looks like cheap Chinese galvanized junk (it is from China)

it’s a really tight fit and some winches may not be compatible with this. If the EVO didn’t have the big cast aluminum ‘armo’ armor over the motor, there would be more room.

the camera relocation and ACC relocation are no joke…. Not for the absent minded… it would be easy to miss a bolt. Clip or plug.

 

[DewarT]

I was given a n ACC relocation kit from Bodyguard Bumpers. It mounts behind the hood latch and sit the ACC below and to the right of the R in the grill. Looked like a manageable location and no cutting of the shrouds.

except with the Raptor- apparently there is an extra cooler other Broncos don’t have. This won’t work. Back to the drawing board…

with the winch there- the collision system is now throwing a message when I drive it. Weird that it was fine before the winch…

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