GP Factor

Thanks! A 71 GMC Jimmy, frame off restoration i finished in 2019. Its bone stock as it came from the factory except the seats. I opted for the tesla style leather over vinyl seats when i reupholstered them. And the center console was a total goner. I got an aftermarket one with cup holders, close to period correct but the cup holders aren't. Still ok with me.

And a 2000 Dodge Viper RT/10. I'm the first owner. Its been mildly performance enhanced.

I didn't finish the install today. Started at 9 am but needed to go for an event with family at 1.30p, have probably another 1.5 - 2hra until I'm done.

First things first. You need to trim the trim. There is a gotcha, the trim needs to be trimmed to the right of the bolt on the driver's side of the wires from the wiinch motor won't clear. The center section is for the winch itself.


If you look at the trim in the top of the picture below you can see how I trimmed it on the right side of the screw. I'm about halfway done with cutting to the right of the screw in the pic below. I highly recommend getting a file so you can make the cut nice and straight. I lent my file out so I had to use a trim bit on my Dremel to try to make it look nice. Again, cut is halfway done in the pic.



This is my inner bumper from factory. It has a tow hook bolt on it. But I don't think he kit was made for this configuration, the next picture shows the outer cover of the central bumper.


Note in my bumper cover there is no way to attach the trim ring that comes with the kit. See pic below for my outer bumper. I've decided to skip that for now, but it looks a bit naked without the trim ring for the opening.

Btw I crossed a couple of streams, the mud is prevalent everywhere in the openings I can't get to with my power wash...


Next I ran into a an issue. The lag bolts to attach the skid plate to the bumper are missing. Got to run to the hardware store and get them. I should have inventoried the kit before I jumped in.

Also I did not need to enlarge the hole for the positive wire, plenty of space in the factory hole. See below.




Now some good news. the winch is functional. At least the wired controller is working after I hooked it up and turned on the 500A circuit.

Note to y'all... Corner bumpers are real work...
You have to be two people, its not easy to get the corner bumpers on without a bit of muscle to help you out. I found that running the bolt through the nut in the center bumper bracket prior to assembly, using the parts that came with the kit made things easier.

I Should button this up tomorrow night after work. You need to be two people for this, it's not possible to do by yourself IMHO. I used my harbor freight mechanics swiveling stool to hold the center bumper with the winch. More stable than a floor jack.

another 1.5 hours after work today and i got a winch fully installed and working.
I had to run to the hardware store and get 2 lag bolts M8 x 20mm + a washer and a nylock nut.
they didn't have metric at the hardware store but 5/16 diameter and 3/4 long imperial works perfect.

You'll end up with a few extra bolts when you are done (you get new ones with the kit). I was a bit stressed out in the end before i realized i had replaced those.
When you disassemble the bumper separate each group of screws (mid bumper, right and left, covers for headlamp and headlamp screws) into separate bins. You'll thank me later. I didn't use the brass extender for the solenoid. Maybe an oversight on my part but i didn't think i needed it.

Plan on about 7-8 hours. Power tools are helpful, it saves a lot of time to have a torx bit on a power tool. You'll need a ratcheting wrench for some of the torx screws as well for leverage. IF i do it again i think i can be done in 5-6 hours now that i'm more familiar with the kit.

Happy times! I pulled my car to a tree to rewound the spool. Going to do it one more time this weekend, it was dark and i would prefer to do it in daylight.

Great work with the detailed description