Southern Style Offroad - Slimline Bumper Installed

Over last weekend, I finally got around to installing the SSO Slimline bumper, Warn EVO 10S winch and Baja Designs Squadron Pro lights that I had been assembling since back in the winter.

To get ready for this install, over the past several weekends, I installed an Auxbeam 6 Gang switch panel with the control panel in the cubby behind the shifter and fuse/relay box on a home fabricated bracket that sits near the under hood fuse box. Also installed a front camera and a FRAC harness to give me full control of front and rear cameras. And, added SDHQ battery terminal connectors so that all the new electrical hooked up in good order.

Because some on the forum have had clearance issues with the winch control box and the hardline that it interferes with, I elected relocate the control box to in front of the radiator using a ManorMount from Tandem Off Road and longer wires from Warn.

The Auxbeam and Front Camera/FRAC Harness install was pretty straightforward on all the components. But getting the wiring through the firewall into the back of the instrument panel resulted in lots of fowl language due to the tight spaces and my big hands not having enough room to manipulate wiring. But in the end, got done. Each one took a good part of a Saturday to complete.

The bumper install took parts of several days but was also straight forward and the fit was spot on. For those interested in a bumper with a hoop, I can attest to the fact that the hoop on the SSO Hybrid does not interfere with the TSS sensor and neither does the front camera mounted right above it.

If anyone has questions about the installation of any of the components, let me know and I'll share my experience.

Cheers,
Bob

 

Looking good. My slimline is coming in in 1/26. Any surprises when installing the bumper or tips to help the install go smooth?

 

Any TSS issues with the front camera mounted where it is. I just put the Anytime kit in ours but trying to figure out where to mount the camera.

 

I’ve not had any TSS issues with my front camera location…. You can see it mounted on the bottom of the aftermarket TRD Pro grill overlay at the top of the TSS sensor backing plate.

Cheers,
Bob

 

man that looks so good. Cant wait to get mine tomorrow.

 

Well boys and girls, got the new SSO Slimline bumper on. I am so glad I did not follow the template from them because they were way off. I lefta lot of extra plastic so I could trim little by little to get the clearance I needed.

 

I will be receiving my SSO slimline in the next couple or weeks. Should I leave 1/4" more of plastic, than the template calls for, or would you recommend even more?

 

i would leave 1-1 1/2” more and trim back as you go to give you clearance. Hit me up if you have questions.

 

Thanks - I'll reach out to you when I receive my bumper. Did you install the rubber edge guard, or did you leave it off?

 

sounds good and yes i used it.

 

If you are installing the SSO bumper on a TRD Off-road trim, use the factory bumper valence as your template for cutting bumper skin. The template that SSO provides is for trims that do not have the valence (SR5).

On my TRD Off-road install, I traced around the valence with a sharpie and cut leaving the line (close cut). And got a very nice fit. Note that the edge trim supplied by SSO can be installed a little tighter or looser to address any gaps.

Cheers,
Bob

 

I did a video on my Install on my SR5. It was amazingly easy. The only thing I got screwed up on was hooking the tabs before bolting the bumper in. And since the remote control doesn't work wireless anymore, I'm afraid to take it off to swap out the controller.

https://youtu.be/nPkNm7oXlPM

Rick & Akela
GoingNoWhereFast

 

you got lucky, there were no tabs on mine.

 

Looks super sharp. My biggest concern is the top lip / trim edge banding. Is there a way to hide that top lip or leave it big to tuck it behind the new bumper?

 

you wont be able to tuck it. If i could I would have. The bumper itself extends under the plastic and back towards that radiator.

that was my concern prior to purchasing it, but I’m pleasantly surprised how it turned out even with the edge trim