CalMini Bumper Photos

[warmonger]

Ok, you asked for it and here it is. This morning I did inventory on my parts and while doing so, I gave it a good look over and shot lots of photos. So here is my take pre-install.



First, CalMini appears to have done a great job packing it. I had no damage visible anywhere. The only place that seemed to be poking out was the spare tire mount on the upright.



So far I am VERY impressed. The construction seems to be quite good. The bumper is very heavy, coming in at around 60 lbs. The revised color is very close to what comes on the X from the factory considering it is powder coated.

Before I really discuss the welding, let me preface it by saying I have a local welded who is an expert welder. He manufactures race car chassis' and he put together my steering stabilizer bracketry for me. I judge all work based on what he does for me.

With that aside, these welds are flawlessly executed. No slag, no pores, just smooth weld beads that only a pro could accomplish.


The Bumper Mount


The Tire Carrier Mount


The Hitch Receiver

One thing I want you to notice is the plate on the back of the hitch receiver. A 3/16" reinforcement plate attaches there and goes back to the frame cross-member where the spare tire used to mount. With this in place and the frame mounting points designed the way they are, I am not the least concerned about the hauling any trailer I will be carrying (2,000 lbs is the limit for me). It also distributes the weight sufficiently for me that if one tried to use it for a pull point, it should hold just like the typical receiver hitch.


The Tire Carrier Pivot

The tire carrier pivot point is also well designed, with rubber insulators to eliminate tire rattle and nylon bushings for the tire to run on.


The Spare Tire Mount

The spare tire mount on both the carrier and the mount have elongated holes to allow different size tires to be carried. All in all, I would call this well designed and thought out. I will give you further impressions once I get it lined and put on my truck.

[rrdstarr]

Looks like you have got a great bumper so far!

[Schludwiller]

Thanks for the great post War!

Could you please clarify a few thiings.

Does the tire carrier place the spare in the middle of the window? Or is it biased towards one side or the other.

Also can you please post pics of the mounting arms or are those 3 screwholes at the end of the bumper all there is besides the hitch mount?

And lastly I thought I saw a white delron piece (or something like that) protecting the strike plate of the tire carrier. Did that come with it, or did they go with stainless steel?

[rhombus]

Thanks for the pics and comments.
Looks good so far.

[ned946]

Great timing War!
I've updated my photoalbum with my completed bumper:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...231&a=13904016

[warmonger]

Originally posted by Schludwiller
Thanks for the great post War!

Could you please clarify a few thiings.

Does the tire carrier place the spare in the middle of the window? Or is it biased towards one side or the other.

Also can you please post pics of the mounting arms or are those 3 screwholes at the end of the bumper all there is besides the hitch mount?

And lastly I thought I saw a white delron piece (or something like that) protecting the strike plate of the tire carrier. Did that come with it, or did they go with stainless steel?

Does the tire carrier place the spare in the middle of the window? Or is it biased towards one side or the other.

I can't answer that question yet since I won't have it mounted on Project X until Tuesday. It is difficult to tell while in pieces on the floor.



Also can you please post pics of the mounting arms or are those 3 screwholes at the end of the bumper all there is besides the hitch mount?

I am not sure what screw holes you are referring to. There is a large pivot point where the spare tire carrier mounts to the bumper. It uses a metal sleeved nylon joint as well as rubber insulators where the carrier makes contact with the bumper. This keeps it from rattling and allows some resistance on closure so it looks like it is intended to spring a tad when opened.

And lastly I thought I saw a white delron piece (or something like that) protecting the strike plate of the tire carrier. Did that come with it, or did they go with stainless steel?

The only white Delron piece is part of the sleeve on the carrier where it mounts to the bumper. It is the pivot point for the carrier. The strike plate has a black beveled slider that correctly positions the carrier on closing. I haven't performance tested it since it isn't on the truck yet. As soon as I get it that way, I will give you further photos of the areas you questioned.

[Schludwiller]

When I mentioned the mounting arms I mean the parts of the bumper that attach to your frame (much like your old bumper). I saw the 3 bolts at the end, but wondered if there was an extension or that was the mounting point.

[warmonger]

It bolts to the factory location and also has the piece that attaches to the hitch and comes back to the frame crossmember that the tire use to mount to. There is nothing that reaches down the frame. Judging by the hit Project X took in the accident and the extent of the damage from the accident, the factory mounting point is not one of those 5 mph bumper things. If it were, I would have sustained a lot more damage and the Ranger a lot less. At this point, I have no issues with its mounting. The other positive side to this is since there are no frame reaches, I will be able to continue to use my rear tow hooks. I was concerned about losing them with the new bumper.

[warmonger]

Well, the bumper is on and my spare tire is now located where it should have been to begin with. One subtle change CalMini made to the bumper made a dramatic difference to me, and that was the color. I had planned on painting it on arrival so it matched my factory color scheme. CalMini decided at the last minute to change the powder coat color to the factory gray and it looks GOOD! It almost perfectly matches my bumper ends and saved me a lot of money. Rhinolinings provided the top coat on the bumper for me. I was a little concerned at first about doing that to a $750 bumper, but it looks perfect and will keep me from killing myself while loading winter equipment in my gear box and washing my truck. I was unable to shoot a good photo of the final product thanks to really crappy weather here in Florida. As soon as the sun comes back out, I will take a good shot for posterity and post it here.

[Philosopher]

Originally posted by warmonger
I will be able to continue to use my rear tow hooks. I was concerned about losing them with the new bumper.

I thought the Calmini bumper had tow points ... ?

[warmonger]

Originally posted by Philosopher


I thought the Calmini bumper had tow points ... ?

I guess that depends on how you look at it. It has two points on the bumper for a high lift jack that I am sure some enterprising individual will use for two hooks. I personally wouldn't put that much stress on those points and I am not sure CalMini intended them for that purpose. I have seen too many people do that with the ARB bumpers and now their jacking points are forever distorted beyond practical use. My rear tow hooks will continue their duties on my truck since they are still stronger than a bumper, even if it is 3/16" plate steel. This is my personal observation, so I don't want anyone to think it is anything other than that. If someone has discussed this with CalMini and has info from the horsies mouth, feel free to chime in.

[ned946]

Originally posted by warmonger


I guess that depends on how you look at it. It has two points on the bumper for a high level jack that I am sure some enterprising individual will use for two hooks. I personally wouldn't put that much stress on those points and I am not sure CalMini intended them for that purpose.

You might want to verify this with Steve @ Calmini, but those loops are tow points. Last time I spoke with him, he was considering hanging a Xterra from the points........to prove a point!

[warmonger]

Originally posted by ned946


You might want to verify this with Steve @ Calmini, but those loops are tow points. Last time I spoke with him, he was considering hanging a Xterra from the points........to prove a point!

Well, they are located at the frame mounts which is the strongest point to locate them. As far as hanging an Xterra from them, since they are jacking points they better be able to hold the weight of the Xterra. But the question is, can they take the force of mud-trapped X on a snatch from a crappy angle? You are looking at a lot more force than just the weight of the X. Personally, and again, this is my opinion and nothing more, I wouldn't do it. I'm not saying it isn't capable, I'm just saying I am not willing to risk it. My tow hooks go through two layers of frame, the bumper through a single layer. I have seen too many bumpers removed during snatches.

[Schludwiller]

Originally posted by warmonger
My tow hooks go through two layers of frame, the bumper through a single layer.

My bumper goes through two layers of frame.

[ned946]

Originally posted by warmonger

My tow hooks go through two layers of frame, the bumper through a single layer. I have seen too many bumpers removed during snatches.

Point taken.
I do have a request for you; please post a pic of your tow hook. I had a tow hook in the rear as well, but it was placed on the lower portion of the "C" in the stock holes, below the location of the stock mount for the trailer hitch. It was my "last resort" hook and I only intended on using it in a straight line pull or in a dire emergency. What I'm wondering about is how ya got two layers?

Thanks in advance, Ned