CBI Covert bumper installation

I'm doing my homework on the installation of CBIs Covert bumper. Since it had a 12 week lead time, I decided to order it a few of weeks ago with the plan that it would arrive near the time my Tundra would be delivered. To my surprise I received a shipment notification and now it is sitting in my garage (picture the face of a displeased wife). I have watched CBIs install video enough to quote the lines myself but I also watched some videos on removal of the front grille. I noticed some differences and need someone here to tell me right/best way to remove the grille.

In the CBI video at 1:13 he removes the black covers under the headlight to get to two bolts behind the covers at 1:43.
CBI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVDkj0VXOSo

In the YOTAGARAGE video he never removes those panels but instead removes some 10 mm bolts on a bracket behind the grille at 2:30. You can see the brackets still attached in the CBI video at 9:23.

THEYOTAGARAGE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6SuVYg2PRs

Who is correct in removing the grille? Has anyone installed this bumper yourself?

 

I've taken my entire front off and there's no need to pop those panels off when removing the entire front grill. Pic of my truck below. The covert bumper video is about 5 or 6 months old and was their first process for removing the front. They've changed it since then with their newer install vids.

Check out CBI's install video of the full Baja Bumper. It's newer and has a better method. I've followed this one and it's worked out well for me.

Link: https://youtu.be/k4RhgZfGMIY

 

Thanks man. I just watched the video and will use it when the time comes. I never like taking off any more than absolutely necessary for a mod. Was it tricky snapping the plastic on the fender back in place without scratching the fender paint?

 

The paint is pretty forgiving on that surface since it's all plastic.

That being said...I took a cut off wheel and most of the Toyota bumper is gone, so I was less worried about it than someone installing the covert bumper. hehe. I would say 80% of the front plastic is now in the trash.

 

Yeah I'm not really looking forward to the trimming and sanding piece of the install but I will take my time. They did all of theirs on a lift. Hopefully I can get it all done in my driveway with a jack, stands, and/or ramps.

 

How did your install go? I'm looking at ordering one and noticed the panel removal step you were questioning. Glad you pointed that out.
If anyone in the dfw area needs another pair of hands and free labor, I'm down to help install one of these things.

 

No install, no truck. I tried to time my purchase based on the 8 week delay stated on their site. It came a lot quicker than that. As pointed out by @KroppDuster , the panels do not need to be removed. Check out their updated videos (post #2). Wish I were in the DFW area. I’m a huge Cowboys fan.

 

Anyone installed the CBI covert number with the bar? I did and day one cost me 5 hours at the dealership while they tried to figure out how I could still use the collision alert system. Right now I have to drive with it off. Calling CBI on Monday.

 

I thought at one point CBI said the optional bull bar interferes with the front radar sensor? I could’ve swore I saw that somewhere.

 

I searched for info on that before I bought it and found nothing. Right now I have a constant warning of a PCS failure. The techs tried recalibrating the sensor and who knows what else. I was there after closing. They finally threw in the towel. The bumper looks awesome but I can live with the constant warning and not being able to use the system. I would have went with the non-bar option or just left it stock if I had any idea this would be the issue.

 

I have hope there is a solution to this. I just realized this is the same bumper on the Trailhunter Edition that’s supposed to be coming out. No way it is going to be on the market with warning lights flashing.

 

I called them a while back and they confirmed it interfered.

 

Do you know what your build date was for the truck? Curious if you’re delayed like I am. I was scheduled to be built on 2/3. Then 2/14. Now 2/21

 

I wish they would have relayed that to me or at least put a note on the site for potential buyers. I would not have bought it if I knew it interfered. Unfortunately it completes the look I want. Does anyone know if the Baja from CBI also interferes?

 

I don’t recall what my build date was. The delivery date kept moving to the right and it finally settled on Jan 18th or so I thought. It jumped to Feb on a QC hold with no end date. I finally took delivery Feb 9th thanks to my salesman making some calls.

 

It doesn't. That's what I run on my truck. I've had it on since October. The bull bar sits very high on the grill. It's one of the reasons why I didn't bother installing a light bar in my TRD Pro grill. The bull bar sits right over the light bar hole and would render the TRD light bar kinda useless.

Here's a link to my build thread post where I installed the Baja Bumper, if it helps: https://www.tundras.com/threads/dusters-double-cab-build-the-daily-do-it-all.110886/#post-2934605

 

Thanks. Maybe they should have made the bar on my bumper higher. I’ll see what they say on Monday.

 

THATS TOO BAD. I LOVE THIS BUMPER WITH THE BAR. IT LOOKS SICK, EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. UNFORTUNATELY, IF IT INTERFERES WITH THE PCS, I WILL HAVE TO PASS. HOPE THEY COME OUT WITH A SOLUTION. PLEASE KEEP US POSTED IF THEY ARE ABLE TO FIX IT

 

Will do

 

I just got word from CBI that said if the bumper is installed correctly it should not interfere with any of the sensors. I’m going to pull the grille off again and double check installation. I’ll let you and CBI know how it goes.

Had to make a correction. The bumper shouldn’t interfere with the sensors.

 

Ok I pulled the grille again. I shaved some more plastic off and completely removed the entire Covert bumper. My fitment issue was two fold.

First I used the two thinner shims on the passenger side and one full size shim on the drivers by mistake. Their thickness is about the same but I’m sure it affected how it was mounted. All 4 shims do not fit. I only needed one of the full size shims on each side. After trimming and sanding until I was under the grille surround I reinstalled the grille. Btw it’s a PITA with the bar.

Second issue was the tabs on the lower support were getting bent back because you have to angle the grille in between the body and the bar to get it in. Without the bar you can go straight in to the clips when reinstalling the grille. I don’t believe they were fully engaged when the dealership was troubleshooting my sensor problem. I had to use a screwdriver to pop the tabs down and it snapped into place. This fixed the alignment issue with the hood

During this process I did reinstall the grille with the bumper off and I still had the same warning lights about the PCS. Makes me think there is an actual issue since no lights were on when I drove it to the dealer for an alignment. I still have the issue and will take it back to them to have the sensor recalibrated or replaced. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

im planning on getting the covert bumper without the bar. this may be a dumb question but ill ask anyway. it looks like that black bottom piece that we are supposed to cut is actually replaceable. just wondering if you actually have to cut it out vs just popping the clips out??

 

Curious what is that radiator encircled in red? Looks like it has liquid hoses attached? And there's a similar piece on the other end of frontend.

 

Intercoolers for the turbos.

 

They are usually air to air type, why there are hoses that supposedly run some liquid?

Also look out for stiff branches on trails, poking IC is not fun and can eat up the engine.

 

I'll say it again. THOSE ARE INTERCOOLERS.

 

So? I don't disagree. What are you objecting?

 

My mistake then. I thought you were saying they can't be intercoolers because they are liquid coolers. If you look at item C in that diagram they have their own coolant reservoir.

 

Ok, it is then it is air to liquid cooler, and there's probably another liquid to air cooler somewhere in air intake? Poking the first intercooler would be not that terrible, since it runs with its own reservoir. This is a fail safe design.

 

It’s the support behind the valence that has to be cut out. You have to pop the clips if you want to save it then cut the support frame that the clips are part of. Cut as close to the lower grille surround as you can to prevent any contact. I was a little nervous at first but my dremel with a 1.25 disc from Harbor Freight made quick work of it.