Anybody know anything about these guys... their stuff is cheap... maybe TOO cheap?
http://www.tacticalarmorgroup.com/
http://www.tacticalarmorgroup.com/
Tactical Armor Group: Legit vendor?
- Thread starter woytovich
- Start date
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From what i've heard over on Yotatech... They make an "ok" product. The main problem with them is they take FOREVER to make it and finally ship it out. And the owner isn't really an honest guy.
Just my 2 cents though... There 4runner multicarrier is properly bad ass. Have no idea on the 60 one. It definitely looks too good to be true.
Just my 2 cents though... There 4runner multicarrier is properly bad ass. Have no idea on the 60 one. It definitely looks too good to be true.
Company name sounds a bit paranoid militia-y.
Just my .02
Just my .02
Max.Powerzz
Cruisers and Art!
My dad always said if it's too good to be true, it usually is. $275 for a bumper with swing-outs, wouldn't steel cost that much alone? Most other comparable bumpers are $1500-$2500.
The bumper itself is only 275, but it jumps to 525 with the tire carrier. Still super cheap, but not quite as unbelievable.
Their mailing address is not far from my parents house, I might drive by one day when I'm in the area. I'm a little nervous about the wording of their website, especially the words, "No warranty for the accuracy of product image or description." under every picture.
Makes me a bit skeptical of what you end up with.
Of course, I always try to play devils advocate with things like this too. He might be a guy trying to start out making bumpers for people at a very reasonable price too. I guess I try not to crucify the guy too quickly because my brother a few years ago built and sold snorkel kits for ATV's at a much cheaper price and even better quality than what the other guys sold. However, people ran down his product because his instructions, albeit clear, were not professionally printed and his website was not up to their standards.
I may see if I can take a look at the final product of the rear bumper if he has one bulit, I'm very happy with my front one that I built, but not the rear.
Makes me a bit skeptical of what you end up with. Of course, I always try to play devils advocate with things like this too. He might be a guy trying to start out making bumpers for people at a very reasonable price too. I guess I try not to crucify the guy too quickly because my brother a few years ago built and sold snorkel kits for ATV's at a much cheaper price and even better quality than what the other guys sold. However, people ran down his product because his instructions, albeit clear, were not professionally printed and his website was not up to their standards.
I may see if I can take a look at the final product of the rear bumper if he has one bulit, I'm very happy with my front one that I built, but not the rear.
To play devil's advocate, their prices are roughly in line with what's being charged for equivalent parts for Heeps. It's pretty easy to find a stout winch bumper for an XJ for $500, and other than being about 8" narrower (and having a much uglier set of mounts, to bolt to a unibody instead of a frame), there isn't much difference between that and a bumper for the front of a 60-series.
Max.Powerzz
Cruisers and Art!
It would be great if someone finds out how stout they are, the rear bumper for a 40 looks pretty good.
These guys were suggested in response to an inquiry on the LCML, and I wrote them direct. They responded promptly that they do not have the rear bumper for my 60 that I am interested in in-stock but they are a build-to order company. They said that their lead time is 8 weeks.
I had asked for references, and they did not reply to that part of my question. I will ask again more directly. I could design and fab a rear bumper for my 60, but wouldn't mind paying someone else to do it, as I have way too many projects going anyway.
Right now the only off-the-shelf solutions I am aware of for a rear bumper for a 60 are Kay-Mar and 4+.
I had asked for references, and they did not reply to that part of my question. I will ask again more directly. I could design and fab a rear bumper for my 60, but wouldn't mind paying someone else to do it, as I have way too many projects going anyway.
Right now the only off-the-shelf solutions I am aware of for a rear bumper for a 60 are Kay-Mar and 4+.
I'm the one that posted a link to their web site on the LCML, but it was not an endorsement.
I've been looking at their web page off and on for almost a year because there are not many options for my new Nissan Frontier. However, I've read that the owner used to own Kennesaw Mountain Accessories, and I remember some poor reviews of those bumpers. I've also seen some poor reviews of Tactical Armor Group, but never from someone I know/respect.
I was sort of hoping my post to the LCML would stir a discussion that included first hand reviews from names I recognize.
Cheers!
I've been looking at their web page off and on for almost a year because there are not many options for my new Nissan Frontier. However, I've read that the owner used to own Kennesaw Mountain Accessories, and I remember some poor reviews of those bumpers. I've also seen some poor reviews of Tactical Armor Group, but never from someone I know/respect.
I was sort of hoping my post to the LCML would stir a discussion that included first hand reviews from names I recognize.
Cheers!
Here's my experience with TAG/KMA: I bought a rear bumper from them - looked good on the web, and was only about a thousand dollars for a spare tire carrier, gas can holder, hi-lift jack mount, etc. (with shipping). I figured I would save a few hundred $ vs. buying from the competition. Well, you get what you pay for.
Back on the 1st of June I asked what the wait was, and he (Kyle) said 8 or 9 weeks. So, the next week, on the 9th, I ordered one. When I would check on it he had various “stories” he would tell me. On July 24th he said 3 or 4 weeks. Just about ready to ship, they said... A month later: “pretty darn soon, only 8 in front of you”. 9/12: only three in front... 9/25, it’s done, it’s curing, two days to cure, then 5 days shipping. That would get it here just a couple of days before our expedition trip to Hole in the Rock, Utah. No biggie, I’ll take a day off rather than drag my stock receiver hitch all over southeastern Utah.
9/28 I get a call – they can get it on the road that day if I give them my Visa # to pay for shipping, they’ll give me the tracking #, everything is cool. Okay, still would be in a couple of days before the trip. No tracking number comes. I call on Monday – “oh, it’s not going to ship for another week, that’s what I told you (No, you told me it would ship Friday, which was actually 3 days after it was done and curing. I tell him it won’t make it in time for the trip. He says: “It always works that way. Without fail. <sigh>” like that’s the way his life is. Pretty lame, if you ask me.
It came in on October 10th, right about double the time he said.
We go to put it on, and it’s missing some brackets. More wait. Yesterday I tackle it again.
Bearing parts for the swing out don’t fit. He says the manufacturer messed up, he says he could ship it but he doesn't know what it needs to be. Go to find the right stuff, takes 5 stops. Finally get it on today.
All good? Hardly. The paint is messed up because despite it apparently had over a week to cure, the plastic left wrinkle marks all over it. No primer either, all the scratches are down to bare metal, will be a rust problem.
The Hi-lift bracket doesn’t fit – the tire is in the way (WTF?)
The tire carrier won’t close because the gas can bracket is in the way (more WTF?). Cut it off.
The spare tire mount is crooked, looks like caca (yet more WTF?)
Pretty shoddy, overall. I give it not even one star.
And now I hear they're doing business as a *third* company - Blue Lake Offroad. Some of the same pictures and they're both in the Atlanta area.
Back on the 1st of June I asked what the wait was, and he (Kyle) said 8 or 9 weeks. So, the next week, on the 9th, I ordered one. When I would check on it he had various “stories” he would tell me. On July 24th he said 3 or 4 weeks. Just about ready to ship, they said... A month later: “pretty darn soon, only 8 in front of you”. 9/12: only three in front... 9/25, it’s done, it’s curing, two days to cure, then 5 days shipping. That would get it here just a couple of days before our expedition trip to Hole in the Rock, Utah. No biggie, I’ll take a day off rather than drag my stock receiver hitch all over southeastern Utah.
9/28 I get a call – they can get it on the road that day if I give them my Visa # to pay for shipping, they’ll give me the tracking #, everything is cool. Okay, still would be in a couple of days before the trip. No tracking number comes. I call on Monday – “oh, it’s not going to ship for another week, that’s what I told you (No, you told me it would ship Friday, which was actually 3 days after it was done and curing. I tell him it won’t make it in time for the trip. He says: “It always works that way. Without fail. <sigh>” like that’s the way his life is. Pretty lame, if you ask me.
It came in on October 10th, right about double the time he said.
We go to put it on, and it’s missing some brackets. More wait. Yesterday I tackle it again.
Bearing parts for the swing out don’t fit. He says the manufacturer messed up, he says he could ship it but he doesn't know what it needs to be. Go to find the right stuff, takes 5 stops. Finally get it on today.
All good? Hardly. The paint is messed up because despite it apparently had over a week to cure, the plastic left wrinkle marks all over it. No primer either, all the scratches are down to bare metal, will be a rust problem.
The Hi-lift bracket doesn’t fit – the tire is in the way (WTF?)
The tire carrier won’t close because the gas can bracket is in the way (more WTF?). Cut it off.
The spare tire mount is crooked, looks like caca (yet more WTF?)
Pretty shoddy, overall. I give it not even one star.
And now I hear they're doing business as a *third* company - Blue Lake Offroad. Some of the same pictures and they're both in the Atlanta area.
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This appears to be their third incarnation:
http://www.bluelakeoffroad.com/pinnacle/
They're using some of the same pictures, and they're both in the Atlanta area.
http://www.bluelakeoffroad.com/pinnacle/
They're using some of the same pictures, and they're both in the Atlanta area.
If you are thinking of buying the 60 bumper have them send you current pics. If the pic on the web is
an actual representation of the bumper you will receive make note of the following observation.
The centerline on the tire unpright is approximately 14~14 1/2" from the tail light. Any tire larger than 28" will begin to encroach on the taillight. The ice chest is already guilty. There is 58" between taillights on an FJ60. If you run a 35" tire that leaves 23" if the tire and ice chest touch in the middle. It's better to leave a bit of space in between and on the outsides as not to attract the attention of Mr Patrolman. They don't like blocked taillights. Kamar plays it safe putting their lights in the bumper. We just go with a two can carrier and move things in a bit.
an actual representation of the bumper you will receive make note of the following observation.
The centerline on the tire unpright is approximately 14~14 1/2" from the tail light. Any tire larger than 28" will begin to encroach on the taillight. The ice chest is already guilty. There is 58" between taillights on an FJ60. If you run a 35" tire that leaves 23" if the tire and ice chest touch in the middle. It's better to leave a bit of space in between and on the outsides as not to attract the attention of Mr Patrolman. They don't like blocked taillights. Kamar plays it safe putting their lights in the bumper. We just go with a two can carrier and move things in a bit.
Where were you 6 months ago? Oh well, now that it's on it seems solid enough. Time will tell.
I think I've been around forever. 21 or 22 years building parts for man-a-fre alone. I've got the gray to prove it.
I assume you have the 40 bumper? Did you get it all reworked to fit?
I assume you have the 40 bumper? Did you get it all reworked to fit?
I got the 4Runner bumper, and it actually fit after I got all the parts. I think I'm going to have to reinforce it for lateral stability though, there are just a couple of flat vertical plates holding it. A sideways slide into it might bend it over.
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Hi have to back up SteveLCetc's reply.
Hate trashing a specialty vendor......but I had a big issue with them (Kennesaw) back in '04.
Long story short, bought a rear swing away bumber for my '69 J*&p wagoneer that was supposed to be "plug and play". When it arrived, the fit was all off such that the tailgate of my rig would not open (as in "way off").
Sent 'em digital pictures and all. Would not respond after the digital pictures. Finally had to get my credit card to stand behind me and force the issue (remember, documentation is 90% of the law...write down everyone you talk to and date/time).
If this guy is Kennesaw, I personally would walk away. If he is not Kennesaw, then my comments don't apply.
If you want the full gory details, I have it all handy on my hard drive.
Yours truly!
Hate trashing a specialty vendor......but I had a big issue with them (Kennesaw) back in '04.
Long story short, bought a rear swing away bumber for my '69 J*&p wagoneer that was supposed to be "plug and play". When it arrived, the fit was all off such that the tailgate of my rig would not open (as in "way off").
Sent 'em digital pictures and all. Would not respond after the digital pictures. Finally had to get my credit card to stand behind me and force the issue (remember, documentation is 90% of the law...write down everyone you talk to and date/time).
If this guy is Kennesaw, I personally would walk away. If he is not Kennesaw, then my comments don't apply.
If you want the full gory details, I have it all handy on my hard drive.
Yours truly!
Clarification: I did in fact buy that J*&p wagoneer bumper through a 3rd party web retailer. The bumper was drop shipped from Kennesaw.
My financial hassle was with the retailer. However, the bumper design/manufacture was Kennesaw. Thus, to me, they are the cause and take the responsibility.
Just thought I should clarify
My financial hassle was with the retailer. However, the bumper design/manufacture was Kennesaw. Thus, to me, they are the cause and take the responsibility.
Just thought I should clarify
Buy the 4-plus stuff: Just helped install a 40 rear bump w/ tire carrier and gas can basket.... Industrial art.
