The Mamba Gets a Facelift

[ssc]

After 4 years, and 20,000 miles, the Mamba is getting a bit of a facelift. The Fox suspension is being replaced with an Icon suspension package. The Fox has never let me down, but I am looking forward to addressing two areas of concern and the Icon package seems to work. Once, I have it installed, I will be able to do a comparison. The front bumper is also being replaced and I look forward to comparing the bumpers. Some of the links will be changed and we shall see if there is a difference on the trail. My goal is to upgrade to 35 inch tires with a regear to 456 or 488 gears. This is another reason for the facelift. I do alot of solo wheeling with the wife, so when I think something may be a potential issue, I attempt to address it before it becomes a problem--though, it may just be me and I may be a bit paranoid. Also, Thanks to Larry and a few others for their input.

Regards, Steve

[BorregoWrangler]

Be sure to post up some before and after pics once your done with the facelift!

[ssc]

The Mamba is starting her facelift. When I bought the rig in 07, the choices were a bit limited. I took it off the dealer lot and to the tire shop and had 285-70-17 BFG AT's installed. I was leaving for Ouray the following week and wanted to get some work done. I wanted armor and suspension. I called around and the only shop that had the parts and could do the install in my time frame was Allpro. I wanted the place I bought the goods from, to do the install in case of problems--no finger pointing. So I got the fox 2.0 res front and back shocks, springs, AP front UCA, rear lower control arms and the rear UCA-ultimates. I also did the exhaust pipe raised. I also got the under armor and front and rear bumpers, plus rock rails. I have had these on my truck for 4 years and 20,000 miles. This is a part time rig. I will be giving a review of these items and a review of the new parts as I get experience with the new parts.

At this time the fox set up and springs are being replaced with the Icon 2.5 CO extended travel, non res up front and the 2.5 piggyback and springs in the rear. The front bumper is being replaced with the Demello front bumper and my winch and lights will be transfered to the new bumper. The reasons for the change will be set out in a further post. I will give a quick review here of a few items and post further reviews.

1. Rockrails: I have used these hard and they have been great. I think the kick out on the AP rails is a great thing. They have protected my rig and rear tires. They can be used as a pivot point on rocks. They provide a good step. I intend on keeping these and am very satisfied.


2. The rear lower control arms: These are the heavy duty, not ultimate and the first generation rectangular ones. They have been solid performers and I am satisfied. I will keep running them.

More to come,
Cheers, Steve

[ssc]

3. The rear bumper: The rear bumper has had no issues and shows no sign of rust. The rear door may be sagging a bit as there is a wear mark on the bumper where the door contacts the bumper. I will not be changing this item. It has done a good job and I have no issues with this product.

4. The front bumper: I have the original front, one piece bumper. This bumper has been problematic. The powder coating is terrible and it has rust. The bumper tied into the latch and it broke the latch within three weeks. Both of these issues have been addressed in forums and AP seems to have changed the design respecting the latch and admitted a powdercoat issue. There was some issue with AP originally admitting a latch problem. The fit of the bumper was wrong. It did not have the correct clearance and would cause issue with the grill and side plates. Plus, it had movement. You can pull on the bumper and it will move 1/4 inch. Never felt very secure. AP dismissed this issue, but has since redesigned the bumper to address this problem. The last issue is the mounting plates. AP claims that the toyota frame is the problem. People have reported problems with the bumper pulling away and winching issues. AP does make mention of this in their website. They refused to admit any problems, but have now had reinforcing plates made. Originally, for those who had the bumper, AP was refusing to give these plates to previous buyers, but would sell them. They now come with the bumpers and AP has revised their policy and gives them to previous buyers free. Though, I have had issues, it appears the new bumpers have addressed the problems. This is a good thing. However, some of the previous actions did leave a negative image. Perhaps AP has taken a positive turn in their customer relations and I applaud them for this. I am replacing the bumper as I am not satisfied, nor will I use another AP bumper. I can not comment on the new bumper since I don't have one. My only comment is that I think AP brought out the original bumper with out proper R&D. I do not like to be a beta tester.

More to come,
Regards, SSC

[sdnative]

DO makes a stout bumper.

Check this out:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/ ... 40mph.html


Looking forward to the update. When is the maiden voyage?

[ssc]

Hi Eric,
I am lucky to have Jason just around the corner. He is doing all the work and he is a great guy to chat with. I have spent some time looking at his bumper and am very satisfied with the build quality. I am looking forward to a solid front bumper. It is done except the alignment. I will pick up tomarrow. One way or another, it will be wheeled this weekend. So, what trails do you want to hit? I was invited to do the Pilot rock, dishpan run. May get there, but will take the family somewhere.

Let me know if you can wheel.

Cheers, Steve

[salad_man]

I am thinking of doing the TTORA pilot rock and dishpan run this weekend as well, post up if you plan on going

[ssc]

Never did the TTORA run, but did see the group coming back from Willow springs. That trail has taken a beating from all the rain.

First impression is that the Icon set up is much nicer on the road. As the wife said, " it is less bouncy." The first thing I noticed was when leaving the shop and coming to my first stop. There was much less nose dive and less weight transfer upon accel. Drives much nicer and is a bit flatter in corners and feels more stable. Hit some speed bumps in a parking lot and the front was much improved, with less drama. The rears launch less than before, but not quite as smooth as the front.

I also got rid of the AP UCA's and went with the Icon UCA. They are not cheap, but the AP UCA were not allowing the alignment shop to properly align the rig. I was having some issues. Also the ball is capped and sealed. After running UCA that are exposed, I was ready for a change. It isn't that big of a deal to keep them lubed, but the balls get caked with dirt, sludge mud, grease etc. So in trying to keep them lubed, it attracts and holds dirt. The drivers side ball was a bit loose and pitted. Plus, these were the first generation AP UCA's and they do not have the correct clearance. It seems they have been changed on the current UCA's. Maybe a bit more R&D before the originals would have been a good thought. They had also been hitting the coils and had hit the braided steel res line causing a leak. Hence consider this part of the review of the AP UCA's.

I must say that I love the bumper. It is solid and finished quite nice. It sure is nice to have confidence in the bumper and it has no movement and I have no concerns regarding winching. I only hit some light trails and will follow up when I hit some long tough trails, but it seems to perform very well.

Cheers, Steve

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[gon2srf]

Looking good Steve!

[OLLIE]

Looks good and great write up. Can't wait until I get the cash rounded up to give mine an overhaul.