HBZ Front Bumper - Installation Observations

[Baja Storm]

Thought I’d try out the HBZ front bumper – I like the look of it – seems to compliment to the perforated theme.

I have been running with the Threshold billet bulkhead but unfortunately found out that the HBZ bumper would not fit with it. pic A

Wasn’t pleased about it, ‘cause I think the Threshold one is a superb piece of work – but on reflection it’s probably a good thing as something has to be the weak element. I’d rather it be the stock bulkhead than the billet one.

I don’t know whether it was purposely designed not to be compatible (to prevent use?)

If it did fit - I'd think there would be a big risk that the hole sections in the upright part of the billet bulkhead would be damaged by the HBZ arms in an impact.

Stripped down the front enough to get the stock bulkhead back in. It was pretty straightforward from then onwards apart from the sway bar situation.

No sway bar, probably no problem. Bearing in mind that these HBZ bumpers will inevitably vary one to the other – this is just my installation experience.

The captive lock nut in the top sway bar clamp prevented the flat cross brace in the HBZ bumper from interlocking with the underguard (skidplate) screw postions. See pic.B

Probably important as these two screws / underguard ‘plugs’ are the main fixing for the bumper, the other being the arm c-clips.

The nuts were ground down (pic C) to allow the cross brace / bumper to fit flush immediately above the clamps. This allowed the screw plugs to fit easily into the HBZ holes.

Just as a side note, the Lunatik bumper is more of a rigid type being anchored top and screwed bottom. The HBZ one is only fixed at the top with two screws into the top of the underguard/skidplate of the stock bumper set.

From initial observations it would seem that this would have a bit more flex in a head-on hit, for the above fixing reasons. Probably a good thing.

That is to say, the stock underguard / skidplate / front bumper - call it what you like (#85420/3) is designed to have some flex in it. Admittedly not enough to save the chassis from a bad crash, but some nonetheless. The arms of 85420/1 which thread through the upright part of the bulkhead, and are restrained by the c-clips (85420/8 ) will also have some lateral movement.

There are a few good bumper options out there and certainly room for more.
I think a comprehensive bumper design with some sort of spring steel plate / crumple zone behind the underguard would not be a bad thing (in conjunction with Diegos bottom plate / TRs top plate) –
I feel a draft design coming up for some thoughts later.

My only other comments are re the layout of the perforated mesh – IMO should have been symmetrically laid, horizontally or vertically, rather than random.
Also watch out for any rear side sharp edges on the mesh, may want to file them down carefully.

It would be interesting to know if anyone else has had any issues with the sways / billet bulkheads etc?

[Monsterman]

Great review and write up Baja Storm... Your attention to the detail goes over the top each and everytime you do a write up man!! These MANF should use you as a "Tester" HINT HINT How much added weight does this thing ad to the front end? Some guys have posted that its heavy.. Are you happy with the added weight? It sure mounts up nice with the Threshold Bulk Head..

Great job man once again and great detail to everything and the pictures speak for themselves..

[Mohammed T]

as usual, very well written, it does looks great on your ride and fits with everything else nicely.

[IILLUSIONSS]

thanks for the tips man i'm using the threshold and the Bumper will be here in a day or 2
Cheers
Drew

[rednec_d]

i went back to modify my order and theyre all gone at DDM!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO oh well i sit and wait.

[IILLUSIONSS]

Originally Posted by rednec_d

i went back to modify my order and theyre all gone at DDM!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO oh well i sit and wait.

TGN has them in stock

[Baja Storm]

Thanks MT, No probs Illusionsss...MM - yes its heavy, feels a bit more than the Lunatik one, but I'm not overly concerned re the net gain - the damn things heavy anyway
I read here that its was about 14.2 oz...
http://www.hpibajaforum.com/forum/sh...ght=HBZ+bumper

[Modified RC]

Nice review and pics Baja Storm.

[miniJOD]

good review on the HBZ bumper, i think it looks very nice.

[CrazyBRONCOguy]

I wouldn;t do it on the chrome one but I bet you could get that to line up by bending them a bit in a vice. the chrome would most likelly come off from doing that though.
Good write up,

[socal147]

Was wondering what the bumper looked like. Outstanding job.

[stormfist]

Very informative post gonna come in handy when my HBZ bumper shows up today

[original.mb]

top post dude and the bumper finishes your baja of mint, the icing on the cake.

[JMB101]

I ordered one, can't wait for it to get here!

[low&slow2]

Great review. I was looking at buying one, but am a bit concerned about the weight, and the small bump that sticks out down the bottom. It looks awesome though.

[mdskala]

Great job with the review!!

My question: Wouldn't it be more important (durability wise) to have a aluminum bulkhead (i.e. Threshold) vs a heavy duty bumper (i.e. HBZ)?

[Grease Monkey]

It looks like you can mount a set of lights on the front. How cool would that be.

They probably designed it based on the stock parts. In the write-up, it sounds like the holes on the aluminum bulkhead are just a little under sized. Could they be reamed out to allow the bumper to fit?

My concern, though, is that if the bumper and the aluminum bulkhead are used together, the parts may bind when taking an impact. The holes would have to have enough tolerance to allow the arms to slide freely.

As far as weight goes, I don't think that should be a factor. I'd rather have it beefy to take the punishment rather than the original alternative, plastic.

Awesome bumper. Nice job HBZ.

[tiny]

Looks real good. How do you like the Hostile slicks.

[Baja Storm]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

Originally Posted by CrazyBRONCOguy

I wouldn;t do it on the chrome one but I bet you could get that to line up by bending them a bit in a vice. the chrome would most likelly come off from doing that though.
Good write up,

Thanks - Must say it crossed my mind but as you mention, the dechroming worried me, but not half as much as the possible binding that would occur in an impact.

Originally Posted by low&slow2

Great review. I was looking at buying one, but am a bit concerned about the weight, and the small bump that sticks out down the bottom. It looks awesome though.

Thanks - The projection downwards is not too bad, it sticks down just a fraction below the line of the skid plate.

Originally Posted by mdskala

Great job with the review!!

My question: Wouldn't it be more important (durability wise) to have a aluminum bulkhead (i.e. Threshold) vs a heavy duty bumper (i.e. HBZ)?

Thanks.
Probably - but with the design (particularly the connection) of the HBZ I'm a little reluctant to use the alu bulkhead, for the above reasons, and have sacrificed the stunning Threshold part in lieu for something, dare I say it, visual

Originally Posted by Grease Monkey

It looks like you can mount a set of lights on the front. How cool would that be.

They probably designed it based on the stock parts. In the write-up, it sounds like the holes on the aluminum bulkhead are just a little under sized. Could they be reamed out to allow the bumper to fit?

My concern, though, is that if the bumper and the aluminum bulkhead are used together, the parts may bind when taking an impact. The holes would have to have enough tolerance to allow the arms to slide freely.

As far as weight goes, I don't think that should be a factor. I'd rather have it beefy to take the punishment rather than the original alternative, plastic.

Awesome bumper. Nice job HBZ.

Thanks! Yes, HBZ designed the stock light pods to fit in those side brackets.
The holes in the bulkhead are perfectly machined, the bumper not so. I would not recommend tampering with the size of the holes in the Threshold BH.
You are correct that if the two metal parts were used together, binding may occur. Hence the reason I chose to go for the stock BH so that the metal can slide against plastic.

IMO the connection design of a new bumper to the front of the baja could have been done a little differently, which would have had less impact on other parts ....but thats another story

Originally Posted by tiny

Looks real good. How do you like the Hostile slicks.

Thanks tiny, I love the Hostile slicks......they hook up great and are just about perfect for my needs...just waiting on fronts now......http://www.hpibajaforum.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=30131

[jimmy mack]

well done Asaad, i am very impressed with the way you work, superb.