Victory4x4 bumper install on 2014 GX460

[Cj80cruiser]

Installed this bumper on my wife's GX last week. Everything went fairly smooth until the last couple steps. I'm suppose to drill a 5/8" hole through the frame and attach a bracket that saddles the frame behind the factory frame mounting plates. This plate secures down to the frame with a 5/8" bolt through the freshly drilled hole previously mentioned. This plate ties back into the bumper using 2 3/8" bolts on each side.

So the issue I'm having is in order to install this bracket I had to remove the factory power steering line brackets to make room for the victory4x4 brackets. Victory supplied 2 p clamps (which were too small so I had to go to lowes to buy larger clamps) to attach the lines to the new victory4x4 brackets. Even with the new larger p clamps the lines are held uncomfortably close to the top of the new brackets. So much so that I'm concerned they will rub over time and destroy the power steering lines.

Anyway my thoughts are that I could remove the bumper, take the victory4x4 brackets out, replace the OEM power steering line retainers, and discard the brackets altogether.

OR

I could take the victory4x4 brackets off, drill another hole higher up on the bracket to better clear the power steering line, and then reinstall the brackets.

What say you? Do you see any real strength these brackets serve to warrant the hassle of making them work? Keep in mind this is my wife's GX and will likely never need to be used as intended.

I snapped these pics the day of install but can try to get better pics if curious. You can see the p clamps are oversized but needed to add extra leg length to try to push the line high enough over the bracket to clear it from rubbing.

 

[r2m]

Installed this bumper on my wife's GX last week. Everything went fairly smooth until the last couple steps. I'm suppose to drill a 5/8" hole through the frame and attach a bracket that saddles the frame behind the factory frame mounting plates. This plate secures down to the frame with a 5/8" bolt through the freshly drilled hole previously mentioned. This plate ties back into the bumper using 2 3/8" bolts on each side.

So the issue I'm having is in order to install this bracket I had to remove the factory power steering line brackets to make room for the victory4x4 brackets. Victory supplied 2 p clamps (which were too small so I had to go to lowes to buy larger clamps) to attach the lines to the new victory4x4 brackets. Even with the new larger p clamps the lines are held uncomfortably close to the top of the new brackets. So much so that I'm concerned they will rub over time and destroy the power steering lines.

Anyway my thoughts are that I could remove the bumper, take the victory4x4 brackets out, replace the OEM power steering line retainers, and discard the brackets altogether.

OR

I could take the victory4x4 brackets off, drill another hole higher up on the bracket to better clear the power steering line, and then reinstall the brackets.

What say you? Do you see any real strength these brackets serve to warrant the hassle of making them work? Keep in mind this is my wife's GX and will likely never need to be used as intended.

I snapped these pics the day of install but can try to get better pics if curious. You can see the p clamps are oversized but needed to add extra leg length to try to push the line high enough over the bracket to clear it from rubbing.

View attachment 3760227

View attachment 3760228

Can you get a length of hydraulic hose (I.D. same or close to O.D. of your PS line), split the hose down the length and wrap the PS line with it, then re-clamp.
Is there enough room to do that? You'll probably have to visit your Lowe's again for even larger clamps to fit around the hydraulic hose.
I'd think that may be a lot easier than what you're suggesting.

 

[Roody]

This isn't the first issue or concern documented on here with the installation of a Victory4x4 front bumper. IIRC, others have reached out to the company and they have been helpful in providing resolutions (or at least helping sort out solutions).

 

[Cj80cruiser]

Can you get a length of hydraulic hose (I.D. same or close to O.D. of your PS line), split the hose down the length and wrap the PS line with it, then re-clamp.
Is there enough room to do that? You'll probably have to visit your Lowe's again for even larger clamps to fit around the hydraulic hose.
I'd think that may be a lot easier than what you're suggesting.

I didn't explain this but I reused the factory rubber bushings and zip tied them to the line section directly above the brackets for the time being. I think over time it will wear through those bushings as well since there will still be vibration in that line.

 

[Cj80cruiser]

Do most aftermarket bumpers have additional support to the frame besides the frame end mounting plate with 8 bolts (4 per side)?

Anyone have pics of any other brands and their mounts to the frame? Do I really need this 5/8" bolt through the frame?

I'd prefer to discard the bracket from victory4x4 and put the factory power steering line holder back in place. However if this bracket is mandatory then I'd drill a couple new holes in it to raise the line so it will clear the bracket better.

 

[RadoTracks]

I didn't see which bumper this was...is this issue for both the Blitz and the Strike?

 

[r2m]

Do most aftermarket bumpers have additional support to the frame besides the frame end mounting plate with 8 bolts (4 per side)?

Anyone have pics of any other brands and their mounts to the frame? Do I really need this 5/8" bolt through the frame?

I'd prefer to discard the bracket from victory4x4 and put the factory power steering line holder back in place. However if this bracket is mandatory then I'd drill a couple new holes in it to raise the line so it will clear the bracket better.

With all due respect, what is your concern about a 5/8" bolt as opposed to a smaller one? Weight??? Seriously, and with all due respect, not sure why that would matter. IMHO, I'd prefer a more stout assembly than something put together with 1/4-20 bolts.
I don't think my MetalTech has any attachments on the front corners, but that would mean I'd have to go out and look. Right now, I'm comfortable sitting in my library, listening to Nora Jones and talking smack on this post!

 

[r2m]

With all due respect, what is your concern about a 5/8" bolt as opposed to a smaller one? Weight??? Seriously, and with all due respect, not sure why that would matter. IMHO, I'd prefer a more stout assembly than something put together with 1/4-20 bolts.
I don't think my MetalTech has any attachments on the front corners, but that would mean I'd have to go out and look. Right now, I'm comfortable sitting in my library, listening to Nora Jones and talking smack on this post!

I had to run an errand so I looked under the front corners of my MetalTech bumper and no there are no other connection points.
And to think on it more, I remember a couple years ago having to adjust the bumper to fit a little more snug as the original assembly wasn't tight enough and it sagged a wee bit. When loosening up the bolts to scoot the bumper up tighter, I remember only having to work on the frame bolts, no side/wing attachments.
Hope this helps.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Took me a while to find my build thread.

Victory installation information.

Builds - 2018 Premium 460 build

What's special about these? Military grade, very durable. Also quieter than metal when bouncing around on the trail.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Cj80cruiser]

With all due respect, what is your concern about a 5/8" bolt as opposed to a smaller one? Weight??? Seriously, and with all due respect, not sure why that would matter. IMHO, I'd prefer a more stout assembly than something put together with 1/4-20 bolts.
I don't think my MetalTech has any attachments on the front corners, but that would mean I'd have to go out and look. Right now, I'm comfortable sitting in my library, listening to Nora Jones and talking smack on this post!

My main issue with the bracket is that in its current state it isn't doing a good enough job keeping my powersteering line safe. I would need to remove the bumper to modify the brackets to remedy this situation. However, before I drill a 5/8" hole in the frame I'm also questioning the benefit of this bracket. Sure it has a massive bolt going through it and the frame but I fail to see the significance of this bracket to warrant spending time trying to modify it to work for me.

Picture a bracket that forms a U shape. At the top of one of the legs you have a 5/8" bolt attaching it to a fixed location. Then on the opposite leg of the U shape one exerts a pulling force. What is going to happen to that U shaped bracket? The bracket will spread open and the 5/8 bolt isn't adding any benefit to the bracket. That is my question about keeping the bracket in place. What real benefit is there at the risk of damaging my steering line.

 

[r2m]

My main issue with the bracket is that in its current state it isn't doing a good enough job keeping my powersteering line safe. I would need to remove the bumper to modify the brackets to remedy this situation. However, before I drill a 5/8" hole in the frame I'm also questioning the benefit of this bracket. Sure it has a massive bolt going through it and the frame but I fail to see the significance of this bracket to warrant spending time trying to modify it to work for me.

Picture a bracket that forms a U shape. At the top of one of the legs you have a 5/8" bolt attaching it to a fixed location. Then on the opposite leg of the U shape one exerts a pulling force. What is going to happen to that U shaped bracket? The bracket will spread open and the 5/8 bolt isn't adding any benefit to the bracket. That is my question about keeping the bracket in place. What real benefit is there at the risk of damaging my steering line.

Ahh, I see your point now. The MetalTech has a plate protecting the steering pump line, but the windshield washer bottle and hose is partially exposed on the passenger side. They have a bolt in plate for that, just having got round to it yet and 5 years with the bumper, haven't had an issue yet, but, this is an apples to oranges comparison.

 

[Cj80cruiser]

I didn't see which bumper this was...is this issue for both the Blitz and the Strike?

Don't know about the blitz. I installed the strike