idanity

well, i have my 3.0 idling fine and all the mechanical stuff done.
now i want to swap out my smittybuilt bumpers (from the 22r)

86 and 88 trucks, (same bolts ?)

how much time would it take (and any other tips please)
should i replace the bolts or do anything while in there?

Godzilla

I had a smittybilt tube bumper on my 92 for a few weeks. It was merely a bracket that went from the stock bumper bolts to the smittybilt bumper. So if the bumper mounts on your 86 and 88 are the same it will be a very quick process. Just bolt the brackets on to the frame bumper mounts then bolt on the bumper. It will take another few minutes to adjust the bumper to be flush with the body lines and then to mount the turn signals. Total time: 1.5 beers.
As for replacing bolts, no need if they are in good condition, give them a shot of penetrant and a little wirebrush action.

jht3

if your bumper bolts are corroded, an hour tops?

mine were corroded and i had to snap the head off quite a few to get the bumpers down. didn't matter as they weren't going back up, but watch out

95SASMudRunner

shouldn't be bad at all if they are rusted coat the bolts in PB or liquid wrench the night before and let them soak... otherwise you shouldn't have problems

idanity

thanks everyone.
i was hoping i would read replies like that.

its much easier to handle a difficult situation when its more expected. and i hope there are no sideways bolts or crazy stuff (other than stubborn bolts).

will post pix when it gets done (next sunny day).

idanity

successfully swapped out the front bumpers and it took a bit more work than it should have.

seems the smittybuilt took alot of abuse, and i had to hammer the subframe tabs but even after years of fenderbenders, it was barely out of spec. and the tubes themselves are great.

just last week, my front license plate (which is 2 months old) had a dent in it. enough to meld into the shape of the front tubes (ha-i wonder what the other car looks like). as it was a hit and run thing, my only damage is the license plate itself (which was stepped on to flatten it out again)


will be doing the rear and step bars this week (after its done snowing)

the rear bumper is in w/seriouse bolts, should be interesting, as i had to use a breaker bar for the front, at least the rear looks straight forward, and alot more room.