Armoring your 80

[retrofive]

There is all ways a lot of talk about approach angle and leaving.

With stock front/read bumpers (running boards and OME 2.5" med, zero weight on the truck).

Which would you protect first or correct for approach or leaving.

Do you weigh them the same or what have you guys done in priority on your 80?

 

[d0ubledown]

id replace the front first as it tends to get banged up a bit more...but i guess that depends on the type of terrain you run mostly. rears is not as essential IMO. the end caps are just plastic, and if they dent, oh well. easy to replace. front bumpers serve more purposes i find. on or off road.

breakover however, can be maximized by tossing the running boards and going up in tire size.

 

[RiggerFJ80]

What are your needs or priorities for mounting a winch or a swing away tire carrier? I really need a better place for my spare than in the back, and I don't want to screw around with putting it on the roof, so that puts it on a swing away. I can't justify a winch right now, so the rear bumper will come first. Before bumpers though, I'm going to look at sliders. Bumpers are cheaper to replace than rocker panels, and sliders provide better Hi-Lift points. Just my 2¢

Rob

 

[80t0ylc]

One thing that I've learned on MUD and come to realize is that armor for wheeling is different than ARBs and Kaymars. The ARB and Kaymar type of rear bumper are stoutest for general protection, but give no help for approach and departure. They're really for expedition type builds. For serious wheeling, there's so much more now available for front, rear and running board/slider protection and give adequate protection and great clearance. They all help for body protection, so pick your poison. As for what order to put them on - it prolly depends on what got bent last time you went wheeling.

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

My plan was to go sliders, front, rear, in that order. Front bumper can be replaced easily, either from here on mud or at a junk yard, as can the end caps on the rear. sliders are where all the important bits are.

however, i am apparently going with the rear first, having gotten banged up in an accident. in light of being forced to go for a rear, i think it is more important than the front unless you NEED that winch. the 80 has terrible departure angle, and a swingout serves an actual practical purpose + nets you some lift (ie gets the spare out from under the car).

plus, sliders also can be used at a step for those that have short for all practical purposes, unless u need the winch, i think the front armor is the last bit to go on

 

[lockd80]

First sliders.

Then remember that unless you are installing a rear bumper that requires the removal of the rear cross member and then relocates the new bumper closer to the body like 4X4 Labs rear bumper you will not gain any more departure angle than you would by simply removing the trailer hitch. Tire carriers are a PITA if you tow a trailer or need to get into the rear a lot.

Front bumpers are self explanatory but do not forget to armor your AC condenser also when installing a front bumper with better approach angles.

My 2c

 

[Vistataco]

I agree with sliders first. Protects from more expensive damage and a great hi-lift point.

As far as bumpers go...both take a beating but the front buckles at the first sight of rocks.

 

[azrider]

ditch the running boards(and probably mud flaps), then I would do the front bumper, then the rear. Reason being, you can drag the hell out of the rear(with hitch on) for quite awhile. Do some wheelin and see how it works for you without the running boards, maybe your type of wheelin doesnt even come close to endangering your rockers. Why put on sliders to find a fishing spot?

 

[80t0ylc]

......Tire carriers are a PITA if you tow a trailer......

The swingout on my Kaymar has not interfered in the least with any towing that I've done, so I don't know what you mean by this. I guess if the hitch on the trailer your towing is on the short side, you might have some issues. But for me, my swingout has been a non-issue when I've been towing.

 

[Vistataco]

ditch the running boards(and probably mud flaps), then I would do the front bumper, then the rear. Reason being, you can drag the hell out of the rear(with hitch on) for quite awhile. Do some wheelin and see how it works for you without the running boards, maybe your type of wheelin doesnt even come close to endangering your rockers. Why put on sliders to find a fishing spot?

Yeah, started the rear bumper and then took it out and destroyed the front bumper. Oh well, I decided to complete the rear bumper first since I want the tire carrier. I am tired of the 315 tire taking up all of my storage in the back. Also a good place to store the Hi-Lift.

 

[canman]

I also have the 2.5" OME lift (heavies up front & med rear). I then got 33" Toyo's. Next weekend my truck is going in to get custom sliders. I came within 2" on the last trail run to destroying my PS rocker (removed stk running boards) after sliding down a mud embankment, and then trying to climb up a 1.5' vertical rock ledge. I have already rubbed the rear end caps even with a trailer hitch and have had the stock spare rubbing. This was all supposedly on stock rated trails! Next step is TC protection. I will keep my front bumper and will mount a winch inside. As time/ money permits I will replace the rear.

 

[retrofive]

Thanks guys for the input. Sliders sounds like the best place to start for me. Then front. I have decent aftermarket hitch setup in the rear and have dragged it a few times. Stock running boards and mudflaps were removed some time ago.

 

[60wag]

This exact same discussion is the 60 section.

My 2c:
First sliders, because you need them.
Second, Rear bumper because you WILL likely rip the OE corners off sooner or later.
Third, front bumper because it rarely touchs anything but it looks cool and is a place to park a winch.

 

[murf]

I agree on sliders first. I already did the front ARB and currently getting rear bumper/carrier.

A thought...If you wheel alot in rocky terrain and are a little more aggressive, you may want to think of front protection that is a little more snug to the body like Slee's custom front. Ive beaten up my front ARB 'cause it just sticks out too far.

My sliders have saved me many times over from body damage ~ it s good to know theyre there when in nasty terrain.

 

[retrofive]

For the record, I use my truck in Oregon. Haven't taken much elsewhere out the state. We have family in Tahoe, during that time its mainly get there to ski hard ;D. There is plenty of great country around here (OR) and fun trails (at least the ones Ive been on since the addiction started).

Sliders seem like the best up front first investment in protection. The front and rear protection thoughts gathered here and other threads seems to be more where are you wheeling and what is your use.

Think its coming in clear OEM bumpers can be spendy in the insurance market, but easy to obtain through here or classy's.

You guys answered most of my questions and I agree. The lack of sliders can do some serious damage and costly. Where the front and rear OEM bumper although can get ripped to shreds and dented isolat the damage to themselves, unlike unprotected rockers.

 

[96r50]

What trail was this?

I also have the 2.5" OME lift (heavies up front & med rear). I then got 33" Toyo's. Next weekend my truck is going in to get custom sliders. I came within 2" on the last trail run to destroying my PS rocker (removed stk running boards) after sliding down a mud embankment, and then trying to climb up a 1.5' vertical rock ledge. I have already rubbed the rear end caps even with a trailer hitch and have had the stock spare rubbing. This was all supposedly on stock rated trails! Next step is TC protection. I will keep my front bumper and will mount a winch inside. As time/ money permits I will replace the rear.

 

[canman]

What trail was this?

Calabogie. EOTB calls it Rusty Bat.

 

[96r50]

Nice. I've done the Gorge a few times, but I haven't made it out there yet.

As far as the armoring discussion goes, this is a PM I sent to another member who inquired about why I purchased sliders & skidplate first:

My choice was based mainly on price. The big reason is simply the fact that the cost to repair/replace the rockers and/or catalytic converters is huge, whereas a front bumper is cheap and easy to repair or replace. Given the fact that sliders are about the same expense as a front bumper (without buying a winch), it seemed like a no brainer (IMO) to protect the important and expensive bits first. I see the stock front bumper as being expendable. I probably won't get a Shortbus/ARB/tube bumper until I need a winch and the extra clearance or until I trash the stock bumper.

I could argue against myself with the fact that I do a lot of night driving and should have a bumper to protect me from deer/moose. However my encounters with critters on the road have been pretty infrequent and I'm a cautious (read: slow) driver, so I don't feel the need. I also have done all the light upgrades available to increase the range and clarity of my headlights and driving lights (HIRs in the high and low beams, Slee headlight harnesses, upgraded bulbs in the Hellas). The truck pumps out a lot of light, so I "hope" I see the animal first and can stop before a bumper is necessary.

I also purchased the IPOR skid plate at the same time as the sliders, so my transmission and transfer are both protected too. The wheeling around here is dirt and rocks (not rock crawling, just big random chunks of rock), so sliders and the skid plate made more sense to me. My priority was to protect the undersides of the truck first, since it has all the important and expensive bits!

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

Nice. I've done the Gorge a few times, but I haven't made it out there yet.

As far as the armoring discussion goes, this is a PM I sent to another member who inquired about why I purchased sliders & skidplate first:

hehe that was me great advice BTW, to anyone in that position.

 

[canman]

Nice. I've done the Gorge a few times, but I haven't made it out there yet.

As far as the armoring discussion goes, this is a PM I sent to another member who inquired about why I purchased sliders & skidplate first:

It wasn't the Gorge, but in general vacinity. This trail ends up underneath a hyrdo tower on top of a hill and the view...