Very late 2004 (after years of bugging MR. Slee).....I got the call from Christo at Slee Off-Road. He said IT was coming.
OK, the faces above told my response. I was so excited as we already had plans to attend Cruiser Moab in May. The question was....would I have the bumper by then? The answer is YES! I got the first one off Slee's line and had it painted and installed in no time.
NOTE: We made a suspension change to accomodate the bumper's added weight. The changes were:
*Installation of OME 863 springs (made for the FZJ80). 863's are "heavy" and they are taller than OME 100 heavy springs. This turned out to be the perfect spring for me and my vehicle setup. The rear stayed at the same height as my 865 + 20mm spacers though added the stiffness I needed for ride control with the added weight. The rear lift was still at 3" over stock. No bottoming out, not too stiff.....just right!
*I swapped in a new pair of rear OME shocks. Not knowing the condition of my old shocks I wanted new ones so we could really evaluate a "new" OME shock/OME863 spring combo.
It mounted easily to the truck, the Hilift fit like a charm and the spare tire carrier was strong an worked well. I really prefer the spare in the center as you can still see back by both D-pillars. With the spare to one side it makes for a large blindspot due to the combo of the spare and pillar. Others may agree or disagree.
Looking at the bumper ON the truck I noticed that the bumper's design was more designed with four-wheeling in mind when compared to the Kaymar and TJM. The Slee bumper offers more ground clearance and a better departure angle.
Off road observations:
After install we hit the Sedona and Prescott areas. After driving some trails and playing around on the Broken Arrow Trail and at the Alto Pit OHV Park we noticed one
HUGE improvement......
THE TRUCK'S WEIGHT WAS BALANCED FRONT-TO-REAR! Instead of being a "rear wheel lifter" in the flexy spots, the truck tracked flat. Occasionally we would even lift a FRONT wheel.
I just can't tell you how having the balance weight stablilized the big SUV off-road. Not only did the vehicle track more level but the rear axle articulated better/easier. I'm assuming it was due to the added weight over the axle that the bumper provided.
Also observed:
*Much more clearance while dropping off rocks and ledges
*Extreme solidity...hitting rocks and the like were really FELT as the bumper did not give.
*The vehicle simply flexed easier (due to more rear weight and a level ride)
Suspension Eval: In my opinion, equipped as my truck is, the OME shocks and 863 springs offered me the ideal off-road setup. Maximum lift, good control, and a great on AND off-road ride. Even in the rough stuff, this truck rides NICE!
What about your truck's setup? Here's some considerations for a 100-series equipped with front and rear steel bumpers. Research this with others asI have not run the truck with these scenarios:
2" lift: Go with 866 heavy 100 springs (865's will be too soft and bouncy and will bottom out)
2-3" lift and with a loaded truck (drawers, dual tanks, roof racks, etc): I'd go with 864 heavy 80-series springs or possibly 863 springs a rear air bags.
You will need HEAVY springs to support this rear weight properly.
Conslusion: On the Golden Spike Trail in Moab there was one ledge where BOTH my rear wheels are off the ground so the weight of the truck was on the Slee Bumper! It held and with no effects on the install. You can wheel with this bumper 24/7 and it'll hold up. It looks superb on the vehicle it was designed for. I think it's Slee's best bumper yet! It looks like a luxury and off road bumper in one when color-matched. It is pricey. It's big too because the 100 is big. It also took my off-road ride to a new level. More level, stable, balanced, and durable than the same truck before the install. Spend the money and you will not regret it!
Oh....and it even held up while winching out my friend's Land Rover D90 that was buried in mud almost to his wheel tops.
Before....I would have lifted this rear wheel. Not now:
Going over the Golden Crack I never lifted a rear wheel. In this spot had I NOT had the bumper to balance the weight, my front wheel would have been nose-dived in the Crack and my rear wheel soaring in the air. Notice here that I am stable instead:
