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i'm having a time getting a trail gear rear bumper installed. i can only get one hole to line up at a time even though there are 4 bolts supplied and trail gear showed me which holes on the bumper need to be aligned with the frame holes. the problem is the holes that they want to align with the frame require me shoving the bumper up all the way against the frame and then no holes line up.
Kind of at a loss considering this is a simple install(line holes up) and this is the 2nd bumper i received from summit. I have a 1985 SR5 longbed 4x4 and ordered an appropriate bumper...i shouldnt have to drill the frame or the bumper.
I have a TG rear bumper on my 88 but it's been years since I installed it. I can take a look tomorrow if you haven't figured it out yet. Do the mounting rails go on the inside or the outside of the frame rails? Can you post pics?
To add, I just went to TG website and took a look at the bumper. It's pretty basic as far as installation. I thought I have seen posts in the past about improperly built bumpers not fitting properly. Maybe it still happens?
If you position it where it looks right, where are the holes? I think Summit would be your bet bet for a return. I always had to really push to get warranty with TG.
Good luck with it and please follow up. Dead end threads suck.
Last edited by aztoyman; Feb 5, 2024 at 08:21 PM.
Reason: More info
I can post a few here, I also traced the holes on the frame and the bumper. TG hasnt been very helpful, summit already returned one, so this is the second bumper. Makes me feel like an idiot because its such a simple install...
https://gemoo.com/tools/upload-video...66939137429504 this video for TG shows again we can mount the incorrect hole but then no other holes are visible. we know it needs to be the far hole on the left, but in attempting to reach that hole the back of the bumper hits the bed of the truck. which has been explained over and over to TG and they basically play dumb. my neighbor who is helping me mentioned the metal and expand and contract with the welding...
I vaguely remember a post quite a while ago so I don't remember what forum. Basically the same problem you have and it turned out whoever welds them up for TG had 1st gen parts or holes on 2nd gen bumpers. And same story of TG denying a problem until the person hounded them. Your neighbor is correct. Even in a welding jig things can move.....a little. Maybe elongate a hole a slight amount to fit. Being off more than that is unacceptable QC.
I think if it was me, I'd clamp it in a position I like and make new holes. Or return it to Summit again and find another bumper. Unless you get lucky and TG acknowledges it's wrong and makes it right. They have always made things right with me but I had to fight pretty hard on two issues.
Is the bolt pattern correct and just not in the right place on the bumper?
Ya I personally feel I should have to make no modifications to the bumper or my rail...since I'm buying a bolt on bumper for my spec. model year...
Making new holes wouldn't compromise the integrity? Esp beign so close to the other holes? I don't know anything about metal fab.
I might try calling TG once more and try to get through to them... if not Summit it is i guess. Thankfully Summit has incredible CS. Too bad if thats the case, its a solid looking bumper besides this issue.
@aztoyman
If you have a chance, can you snap a pic of the hole placement on your rear bumper? If the holes were drilled maybe like an inch back I think everything would be groovy
It's pouring here. My 88 is now a parts truck for my 86 build so it's under tarps outside.
It's been many years since I installed this bumper so I don't remember if I drilled new holes. Looks like it's the rear holes regardless.
I also got tired of dragging it on extreme trails so it's been modified as seen in the one pic.
Maybe you did nothing wrong. I may have drilled a new hole? I don't remember but I probably would have if I needed to.
It's the clamping force of the bolts holding it on.
For sure. I guess I’m thinking I don’t want to compromise the integrity of the bumper at it’s securing point but maybe I’ll take it to a shop and get their opinion as well if I get nowhere w/ trailgear via phone
Anytime I dealt with TG they didn't respond in a helpful way. Instead responded like I had no idea what I was doing. They told me that I can't count splines or read a micrometer. So I sent them pics. Then they wanted me to send them my parts because I must still be doing something wrong. Then I had to fight to get my OEM Toyota parts back. Ultimately they made things right, but damn I had to fight for it.
Another thing to check on that bumper is the fit of the receiver hitch. I had to grind to get one to slide in. Welding distortion closed it up enough that it was too tight. I ended up cutting it off later anyway when the truck was trail only and it dragged on the steep stuff. The bumper has held up to some serious abuse. It just had poor quality control and needed adjustments to fit.
Spoke with an engineer last Thursday and then spoke to his subordinate today. They said they're whipping a custom bumper up, all the bumpers are in spec its because its a long bed. He mentioned there's a little more bed post axle, I thought all the "long" from the longbed comes from between the axles not the rear of the bed... but what do I know.
That is true, but you would think there would be an application for standard bed vs. long bed. I've got an 86 x-cab long bed. Truck is almost as long as my full size chevy.
Feb 3, 2024 | 03:53 PM
