Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Jon's KMA Deer Thumper Bumper

Any special projects involving a decent amount of fab work (bumpers, sliders, roof racks, etc)

by Jon A » Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:39 pm

Yeah, the time it takes me to do fab work like this vs. the quality would not be a money maker for me. I'll leave that to the real pros.

I got the KC driving lights hooked up. "Augment" the brights isn't the right way to describe them. More like "blow away and make irrelevant." Visually they "look" about three times as bright with a bigger beam pattern for more coverage than the stock brights. It's a whole lotta light! I have them wired to a switch but they also trigger off my brights so when I dim the lights they shut off automatically. I'm also going to try the "quad" mod to keep the dims and fogs on with the brights. I'll try and take some pics in the next couple of days.

Man, these are going to be nice to have when I get out of yuppyville. I can't believe I went so long with the stock lights. Between these and the Hella fogs the stock lights seem as though I have a lit candle on each corner of the hood.

The winch is in as well. It seems pretty nice but I haven't had time to play with it yet. I really like the synthetic line. Pics to come.
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by Jon A » Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:48 pm

A few pics of the winch:

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I figured this is probably the last time the bumper will look all nice and shiny, so I figured I should take the opportunity to wash the rest of the vehicle for some pics:

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Darn it's low. I lowered the rear some to help even it out until I get the new springs, etc, on the front. Since I did the trimming for the 33's months ago, I hadn't detected a single rub since even with some rough offroad stuff. Now they rub in front every time I drive it. Time for more trimming.
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by tbangert » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:24 am

Have you considered stiffer front springs to offset the weight of the bumper? Looks pretty good guy! :thumleft:
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by Jon A » Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:49 pm

Yes, 88's on order. It'll just be a couple weeks before I can get them in. I'm also going to upgrade to the BDS front over the SSMAX spacers I have at the moment.
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by Trail X » Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:59 pm

Looks perfect!

Love this picture:
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I'm kinda jealous how everything is tucked nicely inside the bumper. Very very nice!
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by Gordinho80 » Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:15 pm

Dude... that is looking NICE! Good job!
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by Jon A » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:40 pm

Thanks guys. It was a lot of work and a fair amount of money, but when a project turns out so well it makes it well worth it in the end. I'll have lots of fun putting it to good use.
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by Stoked » Thu Oct 21, 2010 1:45 pm

Great job. You got skills! :bball:
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by DmccartneyFF2TB » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:34 am

I love the way your rig looks. :friday:
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by Jon A » Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:01 pm

And with the radiator skid from Mike (using JD's design), it's a bit more complete:

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I had to extend the front of it about 2" for the differences between my bumper and JD's. It looks to me like the "wings" are in the same location but the winch box is moved forward such that it is flush with them on mine, while it's set back a bit on his. Anyway it'll work well.

Updated suspension (currently BDS front with 3/8" outside the coilover spacer and 88 springs; 2" SMAXX spacer in the rear with airbags giving another 1/2") has compensated for the weight raising the front back up and I raised the rear as well:


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by MrSmithsTB » Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:02 pm

Really bad ass, dude. Looks great, and functional. The best kind of mod.
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by fishsticks » Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:10 am

Just when I was worried I was the only one in the PNW who was going to represent, along comes this guy. :thumright:

So... time to plan a trip? :mrgreen:
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by Trail X » Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:15 am

Glad you could use the skidplate design. It made me feel much better knowing the radiator was properly protected.

The truck looks great.
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by bartonmd » Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:19 am

Awesome, glad it worked out for you!

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by Jon A » Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:06 am

fishsticks wrote:So... time to plan a trip? :mrgreen:

Yeah, we should. Anything overnight is tough with my and my wife's work schedule, but I'd be up for a day trip to go play somewhere sometime.
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by Mooseknuckle » Wed Dec 08, 2010 3:09 am

Truck looks awesome like what you did with the bumper. So suspension in the front all you have is 2 inch BDS and 88's? Do you also have Marks 1/2" spacer?
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by Jon A » Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:09 pm

Mooseknuckle wrote:So suspension in the front all you have is 2 inch BDS and 88's? Do you also have Marks 1/2" spacer?

I'm sorry, for some reason I completely missed this. I don't have Mark's 1/2" outside spacer, I have a 3/8" spacer from Suspension Max that works the same way, just a tad thinner. I will try and put together a build thread when I have time.
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