SoFlo Rear Bumper Review

[SkyMall]

OK, I think that's all for now. Some final thoughts:

I got what I paid for, it's doing what I want it to do, and I'm not disappointed. It's not perfect, but my options were SoFlo or stock. I can now afford to save a little and get some quotes on modifying the driver's side swing-out to hold three jerry cans and a decent license plate mount. If I was not me and I ran across this review sometime in the future, I'd still buy this bumper and I'd know exactly what I was getting myself into. I'd know how to modify it before installing so it wouldn't cause any initial fitment issues. I haven't spoken with the seller since I purchased the bumper, but hopefully he ups his quality control and the future versions of this bumper get better and better. OK, Time to finish my beer and watch Homeland. I hope this helps and I'll add updates as I go

 

[flintknapper]

Good honest review. Excellent job.

The ladder could be easily bent to match the contour of the rear of the vehicle.

The wings not matching the lower fender area is insurmountable though.

All in all..........just too many little things wrong/sloppy (for me) to consider one.

 

[jbatx]

The construction isn't the best. It's adequate, but not great. Here are some pictures that show the quality of the swing-out tubing and the welds.View attachment 1428233 View attachment 1428234 View attachment 1428235 View attachment 1428236

Those are sketchy looking... They look like the penetration may be poor in some areas.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Same here. I appreciate the leap, but after the actual owner review I don't think I could jump on board. I have been watching these for several months and was hoping for the best, but I will just wait for @NLXTACY to release his thing and see what happens with that. By then, my 80 might be 80, though.

 

[NLXTACY]

The fit and finish is kinda average for an thing that's made out of metal. The paint is OK, but is already chipped in a couple places. Check out the chip on this passenger side spindle.

View attachment 1428232

That is material prep, pure and simple. Or lack of

 

[NLXTACY]

For a comparison, here are some welds on the ARB bumper I have up frontView attachment 1428238 View attachment 1428239 View attachment 1428240

I'm pretty sure ARB uses a robotic welder.

 

[NLXTACY]

And here's the passenger side:

View attachment 1428257 View attachment 1428258 View attachment 1428259

Pretty sure that can be shimmed to even it out a little better

 

[NLXTACY]

The Tire Carrier Swing-Out

It hold my 33 inch Duratrac just fine. It doesn't wobble around and it's nice and close to the body. It's also low enough that it doesn't block my view very much. I'm actually pretty happy with it, except that the bracing strangely engineered. See below...View attachment 1428269 View attachment 1428270 View attachment 1428271 View attachment 1428272

maybe its for a tent-pole light?

 

[NLXTACY]

Swing-Out Spindles

So... The bumper came with ZERO hardware. It uses a bunch of existing locations to mount and requires minimal assembly. That being said, there is probably supposed to be something that holds the spindles on. All it needs is a washer and a nut to go on the threaded end of the spindle under the screw-on cap. BUT... there's nothing to put on there so the swing-outs are only held onto the spindles (and bumper) by gravity, friction, and the latches when latched closed. Not cool, SoFlo... Not cool at all!

View attachment 1428286 View attachment 1428287

no provision for at least a set screw?

 

[NLXTACY]

Same here. I appreciate the leap, but after the actual owner review I don't think I could jump on board. I have been watching these for several months and was hoping for the best, but I will just wait for @NLXTACY to release his thing and see what happens with that. By then, my 80 might be 80, though.

Its slow to go because I try HARD to avoid these very things

 

[sleepycruiser]

Its slow to go because I try HARD to avoid these very things

Ha. Notice I was the first person to post in your rear bumper thing thread and still chugging. I think I should be a tester...just sayin'.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Looks like"your guy" hasn't done the best with installing it either? Some of your pics put the installation on par with the bumper quality.

How does it attach to the chassis? Photo is not real clear.

Looks to me like it's been installed with the side wings pointing up at the front when perhaps the bumper could have been installed with these oriented lower with a little more attention to detail. Having the side wing lower would also improve clearance to the body.
You say "your guy" cut the end off the side wings? Looks like he didn't do you any favours there either. Installing with the wings hard against the body is just slack IMO

 

[NLXTACY]

Ha. Notice I was the first person to post in your rear bumper thing thread and still chugging. I think I should be a tester...just sayin'.

I'll drive it out to you when I visit my folks in Kernersville

 

[NLXTACY]

Having the side wing lower would also improve clearance to the body.

But would likely connect the ladder to the glass. But moot if its getting cut off.

 

[IoN6]

Looks like"your guy" hasn't done the best with installing it either? Some of your pics put the installation on par with the bumper quality.

How does it attach to the chassis? Photo is not real clear.

Looks to me like it's been installed with the side wings pointing up at the front when perhaps the bumper could have been installed with these oriented lower with a little more attention to detail. Having the side wing lower would also improve clearance to the body.
You say "your guy" cut the end off the side wings? Looks like he didn't do you any favours there either. Installing with the wings hard against the body is just slack IMO

Those cuts and that what appears to be a cross-threaded and loose bolt

 

[mudgudgeon]

But would likely connect the ladder to the glass. But moot if its getting cut off.

Yeah sure, I see that too.
But that's a problem with one part of the bumper. The rest of it could still be set-up better.
I can't fathom sending it out of the shop contacting the body and with gouges in the paint.

 

[NLXTACY]

Yeah sure, I see that too.
But that's a problem with one part of the bumper. The rest of it could still be set-up better.
I can't fathom sending it out of the shop contacting the body and with gouges in the paint.

I know NOTHING about the background of this company but the fit/finish, powder coating, lack of hardware, welds, etc reeks of Made in China.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I know NOTHING about the background of this company but the fit/finish, powder coating, lack of hardware, welds, etc reeks of Made in China.

no argument here

 

[lcgeek]

Really, really appreciate your upfront and honest review. I also applaud you for gambling on this and taking a chance. Who knows that bumper could have, might have, been great...for the money. But not gonna lie, if it were me, I would be disappointed and a bit more...

 

[ewillis]

Great review! No need for disappointment! You have a bit more protection and the spare where it should be. You could have spent 3X as much and netted a bumper 300% better, but in the end it doesn't look all that bad (I think the ARB rear and TG rear look worse) and your needs are met.