Slee rear bumper

[benc]

I think it'd be nice to have a hydraulic arm instead of the shear pin to lock the arms in/out, but I don't think I'd want the latch mechanism like the dissent has. I played with some at HIH and the older, well used ones need some fiddling to get them to keep working. Otherwise, those bumpers are fantastic and look great.

I like toggle clamps for their simplicity, ease of replacement, and overall reliability.

The biggest issue with the slam latch is getting it align properly from the start. Once aligned properly and tightened properly you should get years of hard use before anything needs adjustments.
Most you tried were likely out of alignment from the start. It is probably the most time consuming and important part of the installation. I have recently changed latches and strikers, the new parts make the alignment process much easier. Think of it like a door, if you don't have the hinges and latches in sync it may open and close but not smoothly. All that being said, I do consider the latch and strut to be a ware item that will need to be replaced every 3-5 years depending on use.
I have run a lot of different latches in the past, all require some maintenance. The biggest issue with the toggle style is when I would have them tight enough to not rattle my wife and kids could not open them, my wife sometimes would call and say she got it open but now can't get it shut, she wouldn't even drive my 100 anymore with those styles.
That being said with the slam style design she let me put a swing out bumper on her 100 and never had any complaints.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Ben you are a stand up guy and appreciate your input.

I know my brother @ncavi10 is planning on picking up one of your rears soon and I plan on picking up one of your fronts soon

 

[benc]

As

Does anyone know if Slee is having their bumpers made overseas (like China) now or if they are being made by someone for them in the US?

as far as I know they are still made in Colorado, they do get them built in batches. The current steel market has definitely slowed me down so i wouldn't be surprised if that is affecting them as well.

 

[Evan Kapel]

I have a Slee from last year and it is the best available for the 100 IMHO. Made in CO and beautifully detailed with clean welds and clearances. I researched all the available rear bumpers before spending the $$$ and could not be happier.

 

[sleeoffroad]

OK, here are some details from the horses ass. Our bumpers are still 100% USA made. We had to move production of a lot of our products to different vendors for a variety of reasons. This unfortunately is causing delays in getting product on the shelf. Moving to new vendors is in a lot of ways starting from scratch, having production prototypes made and verifying fit and finish.

We have a current batch of 100 series bumpers (existing design) coming in from the old vendor and those are being offered to our back order list in a first come, first serve basis.

In moving to a new vendor we have taken the opportunity to revise the bumpers and they will be more in like with the offering we have for the 200 series. Details on this bumper can be seen here

SLEE 200 Bumper Photos...! *UPDATE!*

Both the 80 and 100 bumper is moving in this direction. Not all features will carry over. We are not going to do the lights on the 80 or 100 since they are not essential on that platform as they are on the 100.

The new generations of the bumper will be available later this year. Once this move has been accomplished we will be in a much better position to ensure all products are on the shelf.

 

[REZARF]

I have a slee bumper circa early 2000's and it is amazing. No adjustment needed, the old style latch system is still bombproof. I am all for revisions that work well, but rest assured any of the off the shelf units with Christo's name on them are gonna' straight up work. I love mine, it lacks nothing.

 

[Dparo]

Just read through the link for the 200 bumper. That thing looks amazing and if the 100 is anything close I may have to get on that list.

 

[robustbambi]

Anyone have the newer style Slee rear bumper?

 

[bozncsurf]

Anyone have the newer style Slee rear bumper?

To my knowledge this never came to fruition. They are still fabricating the Legacy.

 

[sleeoffroad]

The 80 has made the transition, the 100 is still stuck in the computer It will happen, but we are working diligently to get all products to an in stock status again.

 

[dinnertime]

The 80 has made the transition, the 100 is still stuck in the computer It will happen, but we are working diligently to get all products to an in stock status again.

Any ETA on when the transition will be made? I need to buy a bumper in the next few months.

 

[sr5pickup]

Any word? Any pics of the new 100 revision to share?

 

[staggrlee]

FWIW I still prefer the old style Slee with the tube-hoop spare/ladder design, vintage latches and all. They're damn good looking, trail tested, and bomb-proof.

I'm on my second in ten years, but only because I wanted a dual-swingout bumper that would open with my trailer hitched.

I had the original single swingout -- which I bought used from @ginericLC in 2008, and then had for ten years replacing only the striker pads -- and @DirtDawg is now its third owner. I think he may have serviced the spindle bearings which I provided but never needed.

There are some nice refinements in the newer designs based on the 200-Series one I saw at Christo's last year, but that doesn't make the classic original obsolete by any means.

 

[Peludo]

I also bought a Slee rear bumper for my 2003 100 series LC about 3 years ago. I’m totally happy that I spent the money. It’s solid as a rock and functions perfectly. Love the ladder Rotopax design. I ONLY wish that they had informed me that the two holes next to the hitch receiver happen to NOT line up on 2003 models. Can you imagine my disappointment when I had it installed and found this out the hard way. I had to pay to have it uninstalled, drilled out to match and installed again. It would of been better to know this up front. But Slee was totally helpful on the backside of all that.

More kudos to Slee for their sliders. OMG. Best investment yet. I’ve rolled over rocks with them, moved logs, they are incredibly strong.

 

[REZARF]

FWIW I still prefer the old style Slee with the tube-hoop spare/ladder design, vintage latches and all. They're damn good looking, trail tested, and bomb-proof.

I'm on my second in ten years, but only because I wanted a dual-swingout bumper that would open with my trailer hitched.

I had the original single swingout -- which I bought used from @ginericLC in 2008, and then had for ten years replacing only the striker pads -- and @DirtDawg is now its third owner. I think he may have serviced the spindle bearings which I provided but never needed.

There are some nice refinements in the newer designs based on the 200-Series one I saw at Christo's last year, but that doesn't make the classic original obsolete by any means.

Looking forward to the revision.

Another data point I have the original light grey single swing out with the centered tire carrier and it is 100% after all these years. Powder coat has held up, still glossy, the bearings and latches are all 100%. Christo makes products that are as robust as our Cruisers are.... he'll keep getting my $$$ in the future. Keep on being awesome @sleeoffroad

 

[Somebodyelse5]

fit and finish on my slee rear has been pretty much unmatched with every other bumper I've seen first hand. I think the ONLY thing I'd change, would be having a receiver on a swingout for my bike rack... otherwise it's perfect

 

[landshark9]

having a receiver on a swingout for my bike rack...

Somethings you just need to do yourself! This has been a life changer for me...Adding a few gussets for peace of mind, not really needed.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Somethings you just need to do yourself! This has been a life changer for me...Adding a few gussets for peace of mind, not really needed.

View attachment 2089671

I've been thinking about doing something very similar... I think I'd like to notch out the factory arm for the receiver though. Just haven't strummed up the motivation yet... I am not thrilled about pulling the arm off and repowder coating

 

[Dparo]

from an email reply...

“We have rear bumpers in stock but a slight change of plans – we won’t be revising the rear bumper at this time. It will happen in the future I’m told but not in 2020.”