Rival4x4 TLC Aluminum Front Bumper - on a Gen 1 LX
- Thread starter grinchy
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #82
Really enjoying it so far. I think it looks good already, and I’m not even done with final trim out. Also a solid piece of gear, I’ve read the install books for arb and the hard points connections are similar.
The actual modification to the bumper turned out to be less than I anticipated. I thought I might have to chop a significant portion of the wing. Instead it was only a couple of small areas for clearance.
it is set up as a no bumper cover install for the tlc, so already had quite a bit of space to allow for the pinch weld gap filler weatherstripping, which is a boon to adapting the install to Lx.
Looks so good!
TLC2013
SILVER Star
Looks fantastic. Well done with the install. Give yourself a well deserved pat on the back. I remember reading earlier you mentioned it actually reduced your departure angle by tad. I am having a hard time seeing it as it looks like the sides are much improved, is it the front by the recovery points ?
- Thread starter
- #86
Thanks!
Tire access is greatly improved on the sides, but this bumper sticks out 1” further in the center, so the gross approach angle must be slightly worse.
Of course, I can drag it without anything but cosmetic damage, so the actual risk is much lower for mistakes and rough stuff. Also the leading edge is definitely higher, I’ll never worry about curb rash for sure again.
The actual departure angle for a typical bull bar that sticks out 5” is even more worser, but there is additional protection advantage in the bar work.
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Looks terrific! Well done 
- Thread starter
- #88
Final trim out done.
Basic shakedown this weekend, will get to see if I should have been more aggressive on the clearance anywhere.
Basic shakedown this weekend, will get to see if I should have been more aggressive on the clearance anywhere.
Tommy Dwyer
SILVER Star
Nice work @grinchy , looks great!
- Thread starter
- #90
I wanted to get the full install done before commenting on the quality.
Winch mount
The winch mount is solid and symmetrical. There appears to be two coats of finish, and epoxy and then the powder coat. It’s well done. There was some epoxy chipped off one of the recovery points, with powder coat layed over it. A small area smaller than a pinky nail. You can’t see it unless you are right there. I of course primered and painted the recovery points because I filed them. Recovery points get used and need care. The winch mount holes were square and precisely located, winch went right on.
Bumper
The bumper body has very good to great welds. It’s symmetrical and straight. Internal structure and wire control included. The punch outs are well thought out and made precisely.
The included light washer bracket interferes a bit with the pinch weld brackets, but it may not be an issue for the intended TLC installation.
Accessories
The light mounts I used had two weld nuts that needed a little clearancing. Also one of the weld nuts (out of 8) was not present. I’m sure that 3 will be enough to hold the light securely; four would be better.
The wheel well covers are amazing and really make the finished product look great. Functional and crafted well.
Plate flipper installed fine and works
<edit
Stickers - the build sticker and caution sticker inside the bumper both came off and won’t readhere. The Rival sticker on the front is upside down and probably will fall off soon. There is a spare rival sticker in blue that can with the instructions, I’ll stick that on if the black upside down one falls off. This is nothing to do with function but I guess it could inform quality. >
Instructions and nuts / bolts
Instructions were good, I was of course off book for the entire bumper section.
Nuts and bolts were presorted on a vacuum sealed bag, all sectioned off and easy to see count and access.
Overall 9/10. Very minor quibbles in the grand scheme.
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- Thread starter
- #91
Install tools
A set of wrenches and sockets
Angle grinder (lx only)
Hacksaw (lx only)
Drill (lx only)
Willingness to cut a $2k bumper (lx only)
Willingness to fab a few brackets (lx only)
Tlc install
Lx570 install
I have 18 - 20 hours (Friday night disassembly, Saturday and Sunday most of the day) for the install.
A set of wrenches and sockets
Angle grinder (lx only)
Hacksaw (lx only)
Drill (lx only)
Willingness to cut a $2k bumper (lx only)
Willingness to fab a few brackets (lx only)
Tlc install
Lx570 install
I have 18 - 20 hours (Friday night disassembly, Saturday and Sunday most of the day) for the install.
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- Thread starter
- #92
Plate flipper flips
Fairlead bolts that came with winch are 1/4” too short for the Epic fairlead. Always one more thing.
Fairlead bolts that came with winch are 1/4” too short for the Epic fairlead. Always one more thing.
dubyahard
SILVER Star
You, sir, are a pioneer.
You documentation looks to be very helpful and the pictures look lead me to believe it's a great looking bumper. I just wish it was in my budget.
You documentation looks to be very helpful and the pictures look lead me to believe it's a great looking bumper. I just wish it was in my budget.
- Thread starter
- #94
I couldn't find any largely aluminum bumpers for less . . .You, sir, are a pioneer.
You documentation looks to be very helpful and the pictures look lead me to believe it's a great looking bumper. I just wish it was in my budget.
I noticed earlier in the thread you said something around $1600, but their website says $2k now. Not sure if that's a conversion or sale thing, or just higher pricing now since the whole Russian thing. But that gets it pretty close to Dissent pricing...
- Thread starter
- #96
Inflation I imagine. I paid $1700 + shipping.
The Dissent LX bumper is $2700 with powdercoat, so still a solid 30% or so more.
Both will also have shipping on top of that.
All the prefab armor seems pretty dear these days, I predict more viper cut and local weldups coming.
The Dissent LX bumper is $2700 with powdercoat, so still a solid 30% or so more.
Both will also have shipping on top of that.
All the prefab armor seems pretty dear these days, I predict more viper cut and local weldups coming.
- Thread starter
- #97
I talked via email with Rival4x4 earlier today, they've moved production out of Russia. This should be a good sign for future activity.
- Thread starter
- #99
Ran 5 hours of freeway and another 2 hours of 55 mph curvy two lane.
Got 15 mpg average for this which is better than I anticipated, and around what I’d think stock bumper would pull.
Also finished the winch install. No drama.
Ended up zip tying the controller to the grill. Just barely can fit the controller wire on, but it goes. In cab controls working as well.
Epic 1.5” fairlead nonissues aside from having to obtain 35mm long m12 bolts.
Got 15 mpg average for this which is better than I anticipated, and around what I’d think stock bumper would pull.
Also finished the winch install. No drama.
Ended up zip tying the controller to the grill. Just barely can fit the controller wire on, but it goes. In cab controls working as well.
Epic 1.5” fairlead nonissues aside from having to obtain 35mm long m12 bolts.
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I did the same thing with my old TT bumper and come up. I found some 1in thick black zip ties and two worked perfectly. Looked clean and wasn’t going anywhere.
Also, not sure if this is temporary or permanent, but just a thought.
