Dadgummit
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- First Name
- Jon
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- Feb 1, 2019
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- Location
- Anaheim, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 Rubicon Unlimited -- 1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible
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- #1
I just installed the Expedition One trail Series 2 Rear Bumper w/ Tire Carrier this past weekend and wanted to share some thoughts since there seems to be little information about them here on the forum.
Quick notes: 1. the large nut that holds the swing arm to the bumper is 1 7/16 inch. You will need to purchase a socket in this size. Only $12 on Amazon
2. The bolts that hold the bumper to the frame are different sizes. Stock bolts have a 21mm head you can use them if you want. if you want to use the bolts that come in the kit they are 22mm. There is a 3rd bolt on each side that is a SAE size and that one is a 15/16 size. You will need to make sure you have these sizes in combination wrenches since there is not enough room to get a socket + wrench in there. these wrenches cost like $7 on amazon if you need them.
3. you will need to purchase something to mount your 3rd brake light. I got one off of amazon that uses the stock light pretty cheap and it works great.
4. The E-1 web site mentions that the stock wheel and tire will not fit, this is due to the large back spacing. the mount for the wheel is adjustable and I am happy to report that it mounts up with no issues. I think it would even fir if I had 35's on the stock wheels if I added a 1/4 inch spacer between the wheel and mount.
Here is the good, the shipping and packaging was excellent. It arrives on a pallet in a huge box with tons of foam. The foam is in bags so there is no residue to scrape off of the bumper. The powder coat is nice looking and matches my front bumper perfectly. It is a good looking bumper that checked off everything I was looking for:
The bad:
1. The instructions are pretty bad. There are large gaps in the information for example it completely skips how to mount the little arm that connects the carrier to the tailgate other than saying to install it. I tried emailing Expedition one for more information and all they would do is send me instructions for a toyota tacoma's bumper which did not help at all, when I mentioned this they said they would get back to me. It has been like 6 weeks and nothing yet. I tried calling and spoke to 2 people but received no information. I tried posting in the E-1 sub forum and they never responded. I hate to bash an American company but they charge a significant premium over foreign bumpers yet their CS is not responsive.
2. There is no parts list so you can make sure you received everything. I eventually found I was missing 2 rubber bump stops and the license plate bracket which they did mail out to me fairly quickly
3. it has the holes for the sensors and instructions mention that you need to buy the bezels for a JL steel bumper to mount them Part numbers: 6MH85RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR, 6MH84RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR, 6MH83RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR, 6MH82RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR
I purchased them and when I tried to mount the sensors they flopped around and would not secure to the bumper. Looking on Quadratec {they have the install instructions for many bumpers right on the site} and other brands mention that you need the above outer bezels AND there is also an inner part called the bezel retainer that needs to be purchased and installed as well. The instructions for "Go Rhino" bumpers are really good and explains this. Right now I have the 4 sensors held into the bumper with rubber bands and had to pay Quadratec $45 to overnite the $2 bezel retainers. the part numbers are:
1 12112 3036 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295602AB 2.99
1 12112 0297 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295601AC 2.49
1 12112 0299 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295600AB 1.99
1 12112 0295 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295603AC 1.99
they arrive tomorrow so I will post later if this solves the issue.
Last there is a little lock on the swing arm that clicks in while it is open so the tailgate does not swing shut by its self. Mine does not work, no click. Not a big deal since I would not use this feature anyway.
Yes I know that it sounds like I am hating on this bumper but I really like it. It is a clever design, built like a tank, the fit and finish are good, and it looks great.
Quick notes: 1. the large nut that holds the swing arm to the bumper is 1 7/16 inch. You will need to purchase a socket in this size. Only $12 on Amazon
2. The bolts that hold the bumper to the frame are different sizes. Stock bolts have a 21mm head you can use them if you want. if you want to use the bolts that come in the kit they are 22mm. There is a 3rd bolt on each side that is a SAE size and that one is a 15/16 size. You will need to make sure you have these sizes in combination wrenches since there is not enough room to get a socket + wrench in there. these wrenches cost like $7 on amazon if you need them.
3. you will need to purchase something to mount your 3rd brake light. I got one off of amazon that uses the stock light pretty cheap and it works great.
4. The E-1 web site mentions that the stock wheel and tire will not fit, this is due to the large back spacing. the mount for the wheel is adjustable and I am happy to report that it mounts up with no issues. I think it would even fir if I had 35's on the stock wheels if I added a 1/4 inch spacer between the wheel and mount.
Here is the good, the shipping and packaging was excellent. It arrives on a pallet in a huge box with tons of foam. The foam is in bags so there is no residue to scrape off of the bumper. The powder coat is nice looking and matches my front bumper perfectly. It is a good looking bumper that checked off everything I was looking for:
- Full width bumper that actually looks good and matches up with the lines of the rear fenders.
- rear flood lights built in
- frame mounted tire carrier
- mount for the license plate
- provisions to mount the back-up sensors
- Can use the stock hitch or have a 2" receiver built in
The bad:
1. The instructions are pretty bad. There are large gaps in the information for example it completely skips how to mount the little arm that connects the carrier to the tailgate other than saying to install it. I tried emailing Expedition one for more information and all they would do is send me instructions for a toyota tacoma's bumper which did not help at all, when I mentioned this they said they would get back to me. It has been like 6 weeks and nothing yet. I tried calling and spoke to 2 people but received no information. I tried posting in the E-1 sub forum and they never responded. I hate to bash an American company but they charge a significant premium over foreign bumpers yet their CS is not responsive.
2. There is no parts list so you can make sure you received everything. I eventually found I was missing 2 rubber bump stops and the license plate bracket which they did mail out to me fairly quickly
3. it has the holes for the sensors and instructions mention that you need to buy the bezels for a JL steel bumper to mount them Part numbers: 6MH85RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR, 6MH84RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR, 6MH83RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR, 6MH82RX-FAB-BEZEL-PAR
I purchased them and when I tried to mount the sensors they flopped around and would not secure to the bumper. Looking on Quadratec {they have the install instructions for many bumpers right on the site} and other brands mention that you need the above outer bezels AND there is also an inner part called the bezel retainer that needs to be purchased and installed as well. The instructions for "Go Rhino" bumpers are really good and explains this. Right now I have the 4 sensors held into the bumper with rubber bands and had to pay Quadratec $45 to overnite the $2 bezel retainers. the part numbers are:
1 12112 3036 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295602AB 2.99
1 12112 0297 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295601AC 2.49
1 12112 0299 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295600AB 1.99
1 12112 0295 MOPAR BRACKET SENS MOUNTING 68295603AC 1.99
they arrive tomorrow so I will post later if this solves the issue.
Last there is a little lock on the swing arm that clicks in while it is open so the tailgate does not swing shut by its self. Mine does not work, no click. Not a big deal since I would not use this feature anyway.
Yes I know that it sounds like I am hating on this bumper but I really like it. It is a clever design, built like a tank, the fit and finish are good, and it looks great.
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