New Member Needs Advice

[dougpgreen]

New member here. Looking forward to participating. In 2020 I bought a 2014 GX 460 with 80K miles on it hoping I could get 10 years or more out of it. Unfortunately, About three week ago I was rear ended at a stop light Pic below saying goodbye to my GX. Sad. Today I bought a new to me 2020 GX. I'll post pics when I pick it up tomorrow. Happy. Here is my problem. The front bumper on my 2014 GX had gotten beaten up pretty bad over the years from my very mild off road excursions. I decided to get a CBI stealth bumper. After a long wait, It arrived two days after my GX was totaled. I was excited about cutting that old POS bumper off the old car. I am having a hard time with the idea of cutting the front bumper on my new GX. Yes, I know it is 5 years old, but that is like just a few months in GX years. So, should I.....
1.Try to sell the CBI bumper locally and make someone happy to get it immediately vs months.
2.Keep the bumper in my garage until the new one gets scratched up enough for me to not feel bad about cutting it.
3.Start cutting. Nothing could make the 2020 front grill look worse.

 

[Roody]

Sorry to hear about the 2014, looks like it was a heavy whack. Everyone ok?

As for the 2020, maybe sleep on the decision for a few weeks before breaking out the tools. The CBI bumper is a relatively small transformation vs a lot of the other off-road bumpers out there so it wouldn't be hard to pull it off and/or replace the whole stock front bumper if you want to go back to that someday.

That said, why the upgrade vs stock? Any reason other than aesthetics? You could probably eliminate some of the scratch/damage to the OEM bumper from off-roading with a healthy trim to the bottom and something like the 4Runner's "viper cut" ahead of the tires. If you don't need to add a winch, the extra 100 lbs way out over the front end is just bad for dynamics and that $$$$ can go a long way to other mods/adventures/gas money.

 

[dougpgreen]

Sorry to hear about the 2014, looks like it was a heavy whack. Everyone ok?

As for the 2020, maybe sleep on the decision for a few weeks before breaking out the tools. The CBI bumper is a relatively small transformation vs a lot of the other off-road bumpers out there so it wouldn't be hard to pull it off and/or replace the whole stock front bumper if you want to go back to that someday.

That said, why the upgrade vs stock? Any reason other than aesthetics? You could probably eliminate some of the scratch/damage to the OEM bumper from off-roading with a healthy trim to the bottom and something like the 4Runner's "viper cut" ahead of the tires. If you don't need to add a winch, the extra 100 lbs way out over the front end is just bad for dynamics and that $$$$ can go a long way to other mods/adventures/gas money.

Thanks. Everyone is OK despite being hit at 50mph. I wanted another GX, and based on how well the car protected us my wife wants another one too. The CBI covert without a winch does not add much weight as it removes a lot of parts. Net is about 30-40 pounds. The reason for it... I was constantly bumping the bottom of the stock bumper even on mild forrest roads, and having to replace clips, make minor plastic repairs, etc. Also, it turns into a sand scoop when in reverse on the beach. While our off road use is mild, it is frequent. I don't really like the look with a viper cut and wife hates the look. Wife approves of the look with the CBI. I am leaning towards keeping it for a while as it is and see how I feel in a few months. Maybe I'll list it somewhere and see if it sells without too much of a loss (still in the box), then order another one in the future. One issue is that the honeycomb design looks like it was almost an OEM design on the 2014-2019. It still looks good with the 2020, but not quite as well integrated design.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

That sucks man, glad everyone is ok. I had a brand new 2019 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk HEMI that was rear-ended (idiot was going over 55mph) with my 6mo old daughter in it while I was stopped at a light. It wasn't totaled but the panel gaps in the rear were pretty bad and it just didn't drive right. Hated selling it but thanks to that I eventually ended up with my GX.

As for your inquiry, hang on to the bumper and take some time to think about it. In the winter storm of 2021 while I was still in Texas I kissed a guardrail sliding on ice so it made replacing the front bumper an easy decision. I personally wouldn't hesitate to cut that badboy up and put on the CBI bumper on your 2020. The potential utility of that bumper to me outweighs the cosmetic concerns. After all we buy these things for their utility and capability right? If you wanted a pavement queen the GX is not your rig.

Cheers.

 

[r2m]

If I had my druthers, I'd do it as soon as time permitted. But driving it a few months or your first maintence to shake out any issues you may have with it, isn't a bad idea. If there is anything serious, e.g. coolant valley leak, trans, etc. you can get out of it without having put any extra money into it for mods.

 

[dougpgreen]

If I had my druthers, I'd do it as soon as time permitted. But driving it a few months or your first maintence to shake out any issues you may have with it, isn't a bad idea. If there is anything serious, e.g. coolant valley leak, trans, etc. you can get out of it without having put any extra money into it for mods.

That is a great point, It would have sucked to have just installed the new bumper before my wreck. On the small chance I find some issue with this car in the first month, it's worth waiting a bit. Good advice.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Condolences on your '14 and congrats on the '20.

My 2 cents would be to keep it and get around to eventually. I would figure out where the cutline is, though, so you know what you have to protect and what is sacrificial.

Also, wait until you have a winch to do the install so you dont have to remove and remount the bumper again to mount the winch.

I tend to always have a back log of stuff to do. I really like the projects when they go well and its not awful temp or humidity.

My GX is the 4th truck I lifted myself.

 

[Cold Iron]

Mine is a 19 so a year older than yours. It took awhile but eventually the new grill grew on me and I "upgraded" mine to the 20+ style LOL.

The CBI bumper doesn't add much protection to the front without hoops. And in 50 years of off roading don't recall a single time I've wanted a winch on the front to pull me deeper into whatever I was stuck in. What it does do is provide a jacking point in the front for a Hi Lift. As would sliders on the sides and of course you would have to install a new bumper on the rear to get lift points there. So it would depend if you are planning on carrying a Hi Lift jack anyhow as to if it is worth it.

Not a fan of the Viper cuts either so went straight across leaving as much meat on as possible without getting in the way. Getting rid of the air dam and plastic on the sides will give you as much clearance as an after market bumper. And you will loose more weight. You will need a radiator skid plate I went with Go North Off road. There is now someone on here that makes a radiator skid as well.

Hard packed snow works much like sand in reverse so had brackets made for each corner and the center of the bumper to support it

The side steps are also low hanging fruit waiting to be ripped off didn't long to scrape the bottom of mine, badly. So replaced them with Expedition One sliders with the money a bumper would have cost me.

Personally I'd go with option #1. I looked hard at the CBI covert and in the end am glad I went with the cut instead.

 

[Ohio Nori]

Mine is a 19 so a year older than yours. It took awhile but eventually the new grill grew on me and I "upgraded" mine to the 20+ style LOL.

The CBI bumper doesn't add much protection to the front without hoops. And in 50 years of off roading don't recall a single time I've wanted a winch on the front to pull me deeper into whatever I was stuck in. What it does do is provide a jacking point in the front for a Hi Lift. As would sliders on the sides and of course you would have to install a new bumper on the rear to get lift points there. So it would depend if you are planning on carrying a Hi Lift jack anyhow as to if it is worth it.

Not a fan of the Viper cuts either so went straight across leaving as much meat on as possible without getting in the way. Getting rid of the air dam and plastic on the sides will give you as much clearance as an after market bumper. And you will loose more weight. You will need a radiator skid plate I went with Go North Off road. There is now someone on here that makes a radiator skid as well.

Hard packed snow works much like sand in reverse so had brackets made for each corner and the center of the bumper to support it

The side steps are also low hanging fruit waiting to be ripped off didn't long to scrape the bottom of mine, badly. So replaced them with Expedition One sliders with the money a bumper would have cost me.

Personally I'd go with option #1. I looked hard at the CBI covert and in the end am glad I went with the cut instead.

Do you have additional info on the brackets you had made? I haven’t cut my front bumper (yet), but I did remove the lower valence and support brackets. Just moved up to 33s and need to do a little fender line massaging. It would be nice to add some rigidity back.

 

[r2m]

Condolences on your '14 and congrats on the '20.

My 2 cents would be to keep it and get around to eventually. I would figure out where the cutline is, though, so you know what you have to protect and what is sacrificial.

Also, wait until you have a winch to do the install so you dont have to remove and remount the bumper again to mount the winch.

I tend to always have a back log of stuff to do. I really like the projects when they go well and its not awful temp or humidity.

My GX is the 4th truck I lifted myself.

Agree with Hiluxforever about mounting it when you get a winch. Just be sure the winch has a synthetic line, not steel wire cable. Although I'm not sure, but do winches still come with steel cable lines?
With all due respect to Cold Iron, Yeah, I have not had to use my winch to self-extract, but it has been invaluable for others I've been with when they've been stuck. And let's face it, even if it's not you that is stuck, having someone else in your party that is stuck, you still want to extract them as quickly as possible to continue enjoying the adventure, and a winch quite often is the the best tool. Yeah, part of the adventure is having great stories of people who get high-centered, sink in a hole or whatever, but one doesn't what that adventure story to end up being an all-day extraction and not finishing a trail run or getting to a camp site.

 

[Cold Iron]

Do you have additional info on the brackets you had made? I haven’t cut my front bumper (yet), but I did remove the lower valence and support brackets. Just moved up to 33s and need to do a little fender line massaging. It would be nice to add some rigidity back.

Sorry I don't the 4x4 shop that works on mine has a full machine shop with a metal brake and he made them for me. Cost all of $45 IIRC he used some left over scrap metal. Before I could even discuss having support brackets made he brought it up first, they do a lot of rigs. I retired from the Navy as a Chief Machinist Mate and thought about getting some strap iron throwing it in a vice and using a BFH to beat them into shape. But not for long once I seen the metal brake and equipment in his shop LOL. If you have a similar shop in your area it would be worth asking.

Agree with Hiluxforever about mounting it when you get a winch. Just be sure the winch has a synthetic line, not steel wire cable. Although I'm not sure, but do winches still come with steel cable lines?
With all due respect to Cold Iron, Yeah, I have not had to use my winch to self-extract, but it has been invaluable for others I've been with when they've been stuck. And let's face it, even if it's not you that is stuck, having someone else in your party that is stuck, you still want to extract them as quickly as possible to continue enjoying the adventure, and a winch quite often is the the best tool. Yeah, part of the adventure is having great stories of people who get high-centered, sink in a hole or whatever, but one doesn't what that adventure story to end up being an all-day extraction and not finishing a trail run or getting to a camp site.

For 50 years I've run solo. Never understood city folks that escape some city and run in herds and then camp in packs myself

But a big part of it is I don't need some yahoo discovering my prime hunting and fishing locations that took me years of exploring to find. People talk and tell other people and there it goes down the crapper.

I've pulled many other people out of the woods over the years when I run across them. You learn self extraction running on your own and at one time carried a come along, a good one. Also did a lot of rigging over 20 years on ships that helps. A come along inch by inch would likely result in a heart attack for me today LOL. I have learned to use the R thing if I think it is going to be real bad and always check water depth and bottom type first now, maybe wisdom does come with age.

On the Polaris Northstar I have a winch on the front because it came with one. But installed an aftermarket bumper with a winch as well because that is where I want one if I am doing a self extraction.

Couple of years ago I ran into another Polaris Ranger that was stuck in the woods grouse hunting. He was solo with no recovery gear, cell phone reception or SOS beacon. I pulled him out and he was very grateful.

We got talking and at the time I owned a Taco and my hunting buddy a FJ. Turned out he owns the largest Toyota dealership in Northern Mn. and had just got back from a Toyota conference in Vegas or Arizona don't recall exactly which. He confided in us that the new Land Cruiser was coming out and asked that we not tell anyone because of Non Disclosure. But told us to watch for the announcement and get a hold of the local dealership and when it did to get on the waiting list. Or call him if I wanted. I did and was #2 on the list when it was announced.

Then as they got closer to landing started to get cold feet about a totally new design and went to the dealership to test drive a T4Runner Pro. Wasn't much different than my Taco and like the Taco struggled to get out of its own way. As I was walking away the salesman talked me into driving a 19 GX he had and couldn't move. The nearest Lexus dealer to my area is 2 hours away I suspect that had something to do with it. After only about a mile into the test drive I knew that I had found my next rig. Things worked out for the better IMO!

 

[dougpgreen]

Mine is a 19 so a year older than yours. It took awhile but eventually the new grill grew on me and I "upgraded" mine to the 20+ style LOL.

The CBI bumper doesn't add much protection to the front without hoops. And in 50 years of off roading don't recall a single time I've wanted a winch on the front to pull me deeper into whatever I was stuck in. What it does do is provide a jacking point in the front for a Hi Lift. As would sliders on the sides and of course you would have to install a new bumper on the rear to get lift points there. So it would depend if you are planning on carrying a Hi Lift jack anyhow as to if it is worth it.

Not a fan of the Viper cuts either so went straight across leaving as much meat on as possible without getting in the way. Getting rid of the air dam and plastic on the sides will give you as much clearance as an after market bumper. And you will loose more weight. You will need a radiator skid plate I went with Go North Off road. There is now someone on here that makes a radiator skid as well.

Hard packed snow works much like sand in reverse so had brackets made for each corner and the center of the bumper to support it

The side steps are also low hanging fruit waiting to be ripped off didn't long to scrape the bottom of mine, badly. So replaced them with Expedition One sliders with the money a bumper would have cost me.

Personally I'd go with option #1. I looked hard at the CBI covert and in the end am glad I went with the cut instead.

Nice. Looks like it provides water protection for the air intake that you lose when removing the air dam and cutting as well.

 

[dougpgreen]

Agree with Hiluxforever about mounting it when you get a winch. Just be sure the winch has a synthetic line, not steel wire cable. Although I'm not sure, but do winches still come with steel cable lines?
With all due respect to Cold Iron, Yeah, I have not had to use my winch to self-extract, but it has been invaluable for others I've been with when they've been stuck. And let's face it, even if it's not you that is stuck, having someone else in your party that is stuck, you still want to extract them as quickly as possible to continue enjoying the adventure, and a winch quite often is the the best tool. Yeah, part of the adventure is having great stories of people who get high-centered, sink in a hole or whatever, but one doesn't what that adventure story to end up being an all-day extraction and not finishing a trail run or getting to a camp site.

My wife calles me a boy scout because I always carry around stuff just in case...but I tend to focus on the most likely issues. So far a kinetic rope has been more than enough, and so far it has always been me helping someone else.

 

[mtnco]

Do you have additional info on the brackets you had made? I haven’t cut my front bumper (yet), but I did remove the lower valence and support brackets. Just moved up to 33s and need to do a little fender line massaging. It would be nice to add some rigidity back.

I designed a bumper filler + radiator skid that also pulls the fender liners pretty much as far as they will go without heat molding.

Attaches to the lower lip and corners of the bumper cover and fender liners and bolts to the crash beam and stock skid.

Planning to offer it on my website in a couple weeks.

 

[rav8]

I designed a bumper filler + radiator skid that also pulls the fender liners pretty much as far as they will go without heat molding.
View attachment 3944016
Attaches to the lower lip and corners of the bumper cover and fender liners and bolts to the crash beam and stock skid.

Planning to offer it on my website in a couple weeks.

Fancy. I like your work.

 

[Ohio Nori]

I designed a bumper filler + radiator skid that also pulls the fender liners pretty much as far as they will go without heat molding.
View attachment 3944016
Attaches to the lower lip and corners of the bumper cover and fender liners and bolts to the crash beam and stock skid.

Planning to offer it on my website in a couple weeks.

That looks good. It would blend well with my TRD engine and aluminum RCI skid plate set. Definitely interested.

 

[r2m]

Sorry I don't the 4x4 shop that works on mine has a full machine shop with a metal brake and he made them for me. Cost all of $45 IIRC he used some left over scrap metal. Before I could even discuss having support brackets made he brought it up first, they do a lot of rigs. I retired from the Navy as a Chief Machinist Mate and thought about getting some strap iron throwing it in a vice and using a BFH to beat them into shape. But not for long once I seen the metal brake and equipment in his shop LOL. If you have a similar shop in your area it would be worth asking.



For 50 years I've run solo. Never understood city folks that escape some city and run in herds and then camp in packs myself

But a big part of it is I don't need some yahoo discovering my prime hunting and fishing locations that took me years of exploring to find. People talk and tell other people and there it goes down the crapper.

I've pulled many other people out of the woods over the years when I run across them. You learn self extraction running on your own and at one time carried a come along, a good one. Also did a lot of rigging over 20 years on ships that helps. A come along inch by inch would likely result in a heart attack for me today LOL. I have learned to use the R thing if I think it is going to be real bad and always check water depth and bottom type first now, maybe wisdom does come with age.

On the Polaris Northstar I have a winch on the front because it came with one. But installed an aftermarket bumper with a winch as well because that is where I want one if I am doing a self extraction.

Couple of years ago I ran into another Polaris Ranger that was stuck in the woods grouse hunting. He was solo with no recovery gear, cell phone reception or SOS beacon. I pulled him out and he was very grateful.

We got talking and at the time I owned a Taco and my hunting buddy a FJ. Turned out he owns the largest Toyota dealership in Northern Mn. and had just got back from a Toyota conference in Vegas or Arizona don't recall exactly which. He confided in us that the new Land Cruiser was coming out and asked that we not tell anyone because of Non Disclosure. But told us to watch for the announcement and get a hold of the local dealership and when it did to get on the waiting list. Or call him if I wanted. I did and was #2 on the list when it was announced.

Then as they got closer to landing started to get cold feet about a totally new design and went to the dealership to test drive a T4Runner Pro. Wasn't much different than my Taco and like the Taco struggled to get out of its own way. As I was walking away the salesman talked me into driving a 19 GX he had and couldn't move. The nearest Lexus dealer to my area is 2 hours away I suspect that had something to do with it. After only about a mile into the test drive I knew that I had found my next rig. Things worked out for the better IMO!

I agree with getting out of the city lights, noise, air, etc. is important and the main reason for off roading and camping. But being with a bunch of like minded friends and/or famimly around a camp fire at night or sharing a really cool trail wheeling into the inner Sierra's, for me and my wife, is a good thing. We enjoy that, but again, that's all about us and of course doesn't apply to everyone.
We're doing a large family (get together) camp trip the next month for about nine days. We'll be about 15 or 20 family members (not sure how many my wife invited and confirmed) and about six or seven camp sites next to a lake. Many of the family, haven't seen in years. There will be lot's of stories, jokes and general catching up. It's mostly my wife's family and she's an extrovert, so this will fill her. I'm the introvert in the family, but I'll still enjoy it and when I'm done socializing, I'll just move off, find a quiet place to smoke my pipe, maybe a beer and enjoy God's creation.

 

[r2m]

My wife calles me a boy scout because I always carry around stuff just in case...but I tend to focus on the most likely issues. So far a kinetic rope has been more than enough, and so far it has always been me helping someone else.

I'm kind of the same way. I ALWAYS have my Leatherman Surge on me and my CCW (except Fed buildings, of course).
If I'm hiking or in the wild, I also have a sheath that I designed and 3D printed that holds the Surge and swap out saw blades for the Surge, flashlight, very small reading glasses, tweezers (we're often in the desert with lots of cactus and can't always see with the naked eye where/what you're stuck with).

Also something I keep on my key chain is a Mini Bic lighter. WAY better than fire sticks, cheaper and easier to use. Aside of having it for the obvious reasons of needing a quick light in the woods, or if my pipe lighter dies, in the Army, we'll get nailed if we have any loose hanging threads on our uniforms. The easiest way of cleaning up a uniform is taking a lighter and singe the thread off. Quick and easy.
Very simple to make. Materials:

1. Mini Bic lighter
2. Electrical shrink tubing, large enough to go around the lighter
3. 3/8" Grommet

Shrink the tubing on the lighter. Trim the bottom off, leaving enough for a hole for the grommet. Then cut a hole for the grommet, and hammer the grommet in. DONE! It will last years. When it dies, make another!

This is all I have on my key ring/carabiner. The R fob is for the gun safe in my rig.

 

[Banandalorian]

If you like the CBI, I would keep it and avoid dealing with more long lead times and freight shipping cost/hassles after you sell it then realize you do want a front bumper.
If I were in your shoes, I'd start modding my second GX immediately knowing how much better it gets with a mild lift, 33s, and some armor.

 

[Kid]

Got hit last October , $9K plus for repairs , new door was $1K , unpainted