Lots done today!
Barrowed my friends shop to make some cuts:
Mounted rub rails (I will need to use some heat and coerce them in the future to get them to sit flush):
Got a nice box today:
Both materials received:
Mocking up mount:
Holes aren’t even close to being correct with hinges mounted:
Nutserts installed, I’ve gotten really good at them:
Pre-installation mock-up:
Hinges and bolts installed:
Valance holes drilled and nutserts installed:
Valance installed:
There really should be some center mounted holes to hold the tailgate piece on, it bows and needs the support:
Another view:
The aluminum used on the bottom piece is noticable different, I called Katie at Savvy Offroad, she said it could just be corroded, sigh:
Sharkhide installed:
Holes aren’t even close to lining up, same as the corner guards:
It looks dang good:
Some final notes: The holes for the tail lights, tailgate hinges, key slot, rear tailgate handle, and license plate were not even close to lining up. All of the holes either had to be wallowed out, re-drilled, or presented to the public post installation.
All of the corners were pretty badly bent. Its ok because post installation the body reshapes it to follow the corners.
The current tailgate valance appears to be a subpar quality. Katie says its the same material as the others, but you can clearly see it vastly different in texture, quality, and ability to be cleaned up. Every other component looks fantastic minus the valance.
The tailgate valance is advertised to say savvy offroad engraved on it. Being quite honest I only purchase it for that reason. Katie at Savvy says they recently switched manufactures of the pieces so that is why my valance piece didn’t have Savvy engraved on it. I sent her a request to exchange it for one that did have the engraving and awaiting results.
I’m not trying to complain about these things, really happy with how it turned out. I just want the product to be perfect and thought the things wrong with it with easily avoidable. Hopefully I can get that valance exchanged.
I called swag offroad today, a local Jeep shop in Oregon. I spoke with the owner and plan to purchase the parts/hinges only in a couple weeks. My current tail hinges are REALLY showing their age without a tire mounted to it.
