RCI Pike winch bumper = GTG

Hey all I'm just sharing my experience ordering and installing an RCI Pike winch bumper for the 5th gen. I am NOT a professional photographer, 'wheeler, or "car" guy, so take this for what it's worth.

From time to order to delivery was just a tick over 4 weeks. Ordered the "no hoop/powdercoated" version. At the time I ordered, their lead times were suggesting 8-10 weeks, so I was indeed very pleased on delivery times.

Speaking to delivery, it was packaged in a VERY heavy cardboard box nylon strapped to a plank of particle board surrounded by foam. If Fedex couldn't screw it up, I would consider it a sound shipping system lol. Powdercoat looked pristine BTW.

OK. On to implantation. I had plans for this bad boy. Had a Smittybilt X20 and a RC (I know lol) 30" light bar ready to bolt in. All went pretty smoothly, but I did have to do some minor filing to open up the light bar bolt notches. Apparently RC uses a fatter bolt than the better ones IDK. Anyway, in the end, it all came together pretty well if you ask me. As a very occasional offroader I have been nothing but pleased with all my RCI stuff. So far, I have the sliders, engine/tranny/ T-case skids, and now the Pike bumper.

Next for the lift, which I plan to hit up Crikeymike for. I am by no means a pro photographer but if anyone has questions on this project let me know.

Once again, kudos to RCI.

 

Any issue reaching the clutch on the winch to free spool?

 

I really love this bumper. No desire myself for a winch but the bumper is so sweet looking. Tempting with their sale...

 

That does look a little tricky to get in there!

 

I had to cut an “arm hole” in the plastic shroud over the radiator. Nothing huge. I lined the hole with rubber trim and it looks pretty decent. I’ll take and post pics when I get a chance. Makes it real easy to reach the clutch. Now I’ll say that I’m glad the winch has a wireless option. Connecting the cable with the shroud in place is very tricky. But if it ever comes to that it’s a thirty second task to pop all the little clips and pull the shroud out. I’m super happy with it.

 

Thanks, kind of figured I will have to do that when I install mine as well.

 

I was able to get mine installed today at a local shop. The package showed up in about a week from the time I ordered it from RCI which was awesome. The box showed up and was in terrible condition. 2 portions of the bumper had some slight road rash, nothing crazy but FedEx really beat the delivery up. I ended up touching it up and it’s fine, it’s an off-road bumper so it is what it is. I ordered it with the high clearance wings, Warn winch and Diode Dynamics 30” light bar. The shop that installed it did an overall decent job. Other than the high clearance cut was slightly rough, but I orders some automotive edge trim and will touch that up tomorrow.

I lost about a 1/2” or so from the original ride height. The ride quality with the standard weight Bilstein springs and the 6112 is still solid, I may bump up to the 650lb springs after driving it around a bit, wheeling in the desert tomorrow as well so that should give me some food feedback.

I didn’t take into account that the windshield fluid reservoir would be pretty exposed, so I ordered protection for that.

Here are a few pictures of it installed.