CBI Rear Bumper // Where are you getting contact, any damage? PIC REQUEST!

Welp... Shit.
Same spots


As for the BSM pockets - can’t confirm or deny paint loss without pulling the bumper, but we’re definitely in “feeler gage” territory to find a gap between the pocket and the body. I’ve also not done any serious off-road that would create a lot of flex and movement.



Regarding the tailgate spots - my assessment as an armchair engineer is this:

The tailgate body is a curve, placing the mid point of the tailgate at the farthest point from the center of rotation. When the tailgate is down (horizontal), that farthest point of projection is lower than anywhere else. The break /wing of the bumper steel is a straight line (which matches aesthetically across the lower back section of the body under the tailgate when it is up) and so it just happens that the only interference is at the point where the tailgate projects the furthest from the pivot.

Solutions would be to either shorten the height of the entire tab about 1/4” or clip that corner on either side of the opening back enough to clear the interference.

The BSM pocket design I think could have been designed using a stud and nut setup closer to the factory style, with delrin washers as shims, and probably reduced the overall projection and shape of the pocket.

All in all, I’m still happy with this bumper for the function and protection. But it looks like now I’m gonna have to pull it off, trim those tabs to relieve the interference, get my tailgate touched up, and consider some grinding/modification to alter the BSM pockets for clearance and touch up paint there as well. So a solid weekend of my time plus some body shop work to fix the paint… disappointing.

FWIW, I also noticed that they did not weld the upper plate to the rear vertical plate directly above the top edge of the license plate, and I’m seeing a tinge of rust up there along that seam where it’s impossible for the powder coat to cover.

 

@RainMan_PNW @memario1214 considering my truck is mostly a cobbled together from various used parts, i’m more than happy to take either of your bumpers as a handmedown. Or if you draw my name for that works too


All seriousness though. Hope you both get this figured out because I haven’t seen too many of the CBI bumpers being run and was Hopi by to pick one up sooner than later

 

From what I can see, the fix for these issues is fairly easy to resolve in manufacturing, or even if someone was to buy one un-finished (like I did originally) and make a few modifications prior to getting it finished.

Obviously, now that it's coated and mounted and been running for a while, the fix looks like it will take a bit more effort.

 

Looks like poor design. Before making out of metal for my own high clearance rear bumper, I made the top from foam cardboard box for prototype to ensure it fits properly. I guess they skip the prototyping. BTW, you will need the top bend for stiffness purpose. Also, I located my top of my bumper same as OE and the bend stiffener height and depth is similar if not the same as OE. This guaranteed same clearance with OE along with the cardboard prototype, this accounted for any variability .

 

You can see from these pix how I maintained the OE profile to ensure proper fit.

 

It’s happening on mine as well. You can feel it scraping when opening or closing the tailgate. Can’t tell if the piece that is hitting just needs to be a degree or two angled more towards the bed during manufacturing or if it’s just an installation deal. Looks like two spots towards the center.

 

@memario1214 - any word from the fine folks at CBI?

 

This.
Has anything been updated on this?

Sounds like I need to reach out myself directly to them as well.

 

Status check!

 

Bumper pox. Quarantine for a week.

 

I dig it. Just like Nero in SoA, gotta love a lil patina..

 

That just sucks to see.....

 

woof. Looks like a black oxide finish rusting…powder coating should not do that, unless the bumper became impregnated with ferrous particles from say someone grinding nearby…but something ain’t right….

 

Woah! Definitely a problem.

 

Damn, I should start my own business already.

 

Dew it!

 

I settled with them on my issue for a small rebate and they sent me some spare parts I was looking for. But I’m not having a finish issue like that.

I had mine shipped bare and then coated locally by an outfit that sandblasted then powder coated it.

 

They send you the corner bracket so you can DIY your own swing out?

 

If I DIY my own swing-out, I think I'll go full Macgyver on it.

 

I will start my own after market truck accessory business. I will start with high clearance rear bumper.

 

I wanted the CBI bumpers so bad but even with the sales, shipping always killed it for me. I ended up going with Demello since they hooked me up with my FJ. I hope CBI makes good with you all affected.

 

Checking in here to see if you ever got any updates or resolution from the folks at CBI? @memario1214

 

So what’s happening to your old bumper

 

Definitely interested. I’d strip it, trim that edge and then have it re-coated. Happy to sign a waiver if needed