{{{{Mental note......... Do not piss off Kennyw.............}}}}
CK5
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Bertha - 2016 Chevy Silverado 3500HD
- Thread starter kennyw
- Start date
Well, 250 to 300lbs is not that bad unless he's lifting it above his head.
Although I’m starting to not like to handle things that heavy.
I can't remember how heavy the 14bff is but last week I had to move one through a narrow section so I had to lift one end and stand it up on a dollie, and I almost dropped it, I couldn't do anything else after I was done moving it.
Not as young and spry as I used to be
I bet, a lot of steel there.
Thanks for the heads up. I am installing this bumper because of a deer strike last year taking out most of the passenger side. I'll be sure to protect the air inlet.
I'm sure you have moved a few 14FF axles in your day, alone when needed.
On s side note , why is my back sore today?
Oh yeah, me and Ron just tossed a couple bff’s in my truck a few weeks ago. And it was snowing!
Yup 14FF shall be known as BFF henceforth...
And most of the welds in the front surfaces are now smoother.
View attachment 20260218_204523.mp4
Just a note for future Kenny...if you ever have to pull your headlights out you will have to remove the bumper. Running into that now on this '07.
We have a '15 with a Ranch hand brush guard and it has to come off to pull the whole headlight housings. Hopefully yours being factory projector style won't need to be fully removed very often.
Have you seen how much yours cost for the whole headlight? The '15 base model ones we have are something like $750 each from Chevy. I tried aftermarket ones and they were a fail.
We have a '15 with a Ranch hand brush guard and it has to come off to pull the whole headlight housings. Hopefully yours being factory projector style won't need to be fully removed very often.
Have you seen how much yours cost for the whole headlight? The '15 base model ones we have are something like $750 each from Chevy. I tried aftermarket ones and they were a fail.
Yeah headlights these days are complex and expensive.
My freightliner headlights were $750 each 12 years ago
I have the projector style that is removed from the back (but I already upgraded to LED), but the housing can still be removed without pulling the bumper by 4 bolts. The one at the bottom is accessed through the wheel liner.
The ones on this '07 and the three '15s we have, don't physically have enough forward room to pull them out. Bolts are the easy part.
I'm happy with the sensor adapter test prints. The mag drill and bits arrive tomorrow so I can drill holes for the sensors.
I have the flood lights mounted at slightly different angles with different bezels to fill the gaps. I had to redesign the latches after this test print though. I'm order to make the latches strong yet flexible enough to not snap off during install, I need to print them at a 45 degree angle to avoid the layer lines being on the plane of bending but they were hard to support during the print. New one is currently printing over night
I have the flood lights mounted at slightly different angles with different bezels to fill the gaps. I had to redesign the latches after this test print though. I'm order to make the latches strong yet flexible enough to not snap off during install, I need to print them at a 45 degree angle to avoid the layer lines being on the plane of bending but they were hard to support during the print. New one is currently printing over night
Working through how to mount the sensor on the angled portion, I realized I could not drill the hole I need because the clevis mounts were in the way of the mag drill. Instead, I will drill an oversized hole and use an adapter to change the angles on the new adapter... convoluted, but the best solution. I am halfway there on designing the yellow part, just need to add latches.
I was able to drill the two 1" holes and hand file the aligned slots on the front of the bumper.
And from earlier this week, I had issues with the latches printing on the flood light bezels until I reversed the direction of the latch.
View attachment 20260224_082258.mp4
View attachment 20260224_082258.mp4
I finished drilling the holes in the bumper this evening. Then notched the bottom lip for access to the factory tow hooks. One last test fit as well. I can install and remove the grill without any issue, but it is tight. It looks like the headlights have enough room to pull if needed, but I didn't test it yet. I pulled the bumper off again as it needs more clearance for the factorytow hooks.
Another AI mock up comparing satin black to silver.
Another alternative.
I didn't ask for larger tires, but it doesn't look bad.
My choice would be the black but both seem a little too much of the same color.
Can you A/I black bumper with silver push/grill guard?
