Another Kennesaw Mtn. Bumper Installed!

kvoman · 10-17-2005, 01:09 PM

I finally got my bumper and winch installed this weekend. Took some effort with the help with two neighbors but I think it was well worth it. I have the wincher bumper with the front receiver hitch and the two tow tabs.

Ken from Kennesaw suggested that I keep the skid plate and re-install it. I'll have to see how it will fit with the receiver hitch.

The part that took the longest time was drilling the mounting holes. Broke 2 bits and burned 3 bits. Cool your bit after each hole with some kind of oil (WD40, motor oil, etc.). My truck is not level, one side is 1/4" higher than the other, check yours. The old saying: measure twice, cut it once - don't forget that. In fact, measure it three times and then cut/drill!!!

The winch can be install after the bumper is mounted if you remove the grill.

With the new bumper and winch, the truck sits 1/4" lower then with the OEM bumper. After taking these pictures, I cleaned it and repaint it with another coat of black glossy oil based latex paint.

I'll be glad to answer any questions anyone may have regarding the bumper or the installation.

BTW - My winch is a Ramsey REP 9000.

**Helinut1970** · 10-17-2005, 02:45 PM

What are you going to use that for? Do you do alot of off roading? Or use it for work? Or is it just for the rugged look?

kvoman · 10-17-2005, 03:13 PM

Well, originally, I was looking only for a front receiver hitch so that I can push my boat in from the front because of my angle driveway on my side yard. I have a cable box (2' high) that I can't move and if I back the boat into the sideyard from the rear of the truck, it would take forever and almost impossible. Pushing it from the front was all but 5 minutes with my neighbor's truck with the front receiver hitch. Time saved putting the boat away = time available to spend with the kids - that's how I was able to sell it to my wife.

Only 4x4parts makes a front receiver hitch for the Titan and it was kind of expensive and sticks out like a sore thumb, at least to me, and too low to the ground. My next thought was to have it custom made like someone here did, a couple of shops near me want close to $400 to do it. So I looked at some other options: other winch bumper manufacturers, etc. the one that came closest to what I need and what I can afford was Kennesaw.

Will I go 4wheeling with it now, no, will I go in a few years, absolutely, when my boys are older and ready for the bounce and dirt of 4wheeling. But I have a need for the front receiver hitch every summer. We take the boat out almost every week in the summer, go camping with it 4-5 times a year, and even in the winter time, I can still take the boat out when it hits 60/70 in CA so having the front receiver hitch is a necessity for me. I got the front receiver hitch that I absolutely need plus a bumper that I can use my winch from my old wheeling days (2 for the price of 1 - can't beat that).

Major side benefit - I'll never have to worry about a front end collision with a deer or another car!!! And I sure don't mind the rugged look since I've been driving the Honda Odyssey minivan (the papa mobile) for the last 6 yrs!!!

**Helinut1970** · 10-17-2005, 03:39 PM

Yea it looks nice if the rugged look is what you want!! I really like the reciever. Like you said its tucked away and almost out of site. Nice bumper!

92TripleBlack · 10-17-2005, 03:40 PM

Get her painted up to match the body.

I'd also mouth a couple fog/driving lights in it. Looks much better without the wacky bar they put on some of the others. Oh and if you ever want ot wash that sucker, water, a hose, soap, sponge and a bucket work wonders.

kvoman · 10-17-2005, 04:47 PM

Yeap, the lights are next. Ater I took those pictures, I washed it and painted it another coat of glossy black. Those pictures don't show the foot prints and hand prints on it but it was pretty messy after I got done installing it.

Agree, the look is not for everyone. It can use a little bit more definition, some angles, etc. to break up the bland/flat face look.

RU2112SH · 10-19-2005, 06:20 AM

Bumper looks great and good luck with it. I also think two top mounted lights would look sweet.

K-MU · 10-19-2005, 01:12 PM

thats a great bumper, would hate to be in front of you in rush hour...

kvoman · 10-19-2005, 02:38 PM

Thanks guys.

I have added the OEM skid plate to the truck since those pictures were taken - had to do a little cutting to the skid plate to fit it around the receiver hitch and reuse the holes on the frame. The receiver hitch is even more hidden now but still accessible and the skid plate makes the front looks cleaner w/o the clutter of the sway bar, radiator housing, etc.. Will try to take some more pictures this weekend of the entire set up.

I was pleasantly surprised that the entire unit (winch and steel bumper) only drop the truck an 1/4".

kvoman · 10-24-2005, 03:00 PM

Pictures with the skid plate installed.

**goathead** · 10-24-2005, 04:37 PM

i like it a lot....looks like the TITAN has a fat bottom lip.....