How To: Secure Stock Bumper to Aftermarket Radiator Skid

[xyoverland]

This is going to be quick, and for many people possibly common sense/obvious, but I had been circling for a couple weeks. The tl;dr version: drill four holes and put in bolts with washers.

Disclaimer: What worked for me may not work for you. Always check your tolerances before drilling.

Problem: I installed the Shrockworks radiator skid, and of course the stock skid had four places to bolt the stock bumper down. My bumper was now loose and rubbing, and had a good 1/4-1/2” of play.

Materials: Drill with 1/8” drill bit, Impact with 1/4” driver, four #8 x 1/2” self-drilling screws, four 1/8” x 1” fender washers, sharpie


Steps:
1. Take off the oil filter hatch and use your phone or a mirror and verify you have room to drill. Don’t drill a hole in your radiator.
2. Hold the bumper as close to “normal” as possible. I don’t know if it will hurt, but I didn’t want to put tension inward or outward.
3. Mark the center of each hole with the Sharpie while holding the middle of the bumper in place.
4. Drill out the four holes with the 1/8” bit.
5. Use the impact on the lowest setting with a self drilling screw and fender washer to finish the last little bit of drilling and catch the threads.
6. Repeat for the other three!
7. Enjoy a bumper with no play and no rattling.

 

[xyoverland]

Some bonus coverage:

I realized that the three bolts along the bottom were now making contact with the skid, and not only made a noise but would rub paint off eventually.

1. Get #10 and 1/4” screw protectors (3 each)
2. Cut about 1/3 of the length off the #10 protectors so they sit tight down on just the threads.

3. Place the cut #10 on the bolt

4. Place the 1/4” over the whole thing, which should fit tightly over the #10 and down onto the thread sleeve part of the clip


After this step I also wiped the paint with alcohol to get it clean, and put a 1/2”x1/2” square of “extreme” double sided tape on the skid but left the plastic on the side facing the vinyl protector, just to make 100% sure the paint wouldn’t get rubbed off there. (No picture)