Lookin' good MiiisterAnderson.
How long was your install time (before the fairlead frustrations)? Did you have a helper for the bumper removal/ attachment? Thinking of trying this on my own with a jack and am not sure if I'll regret it.
Also, how are you attaching the old grill to the fascia Vice provides?
Wish I had a great recommendation for the fairlead problem. I hope I don't encounter the same thing this weekend if I get the time, but I'll let you know my outcome if I do!
Thanks! Install was solo and while a second hand would certainly help, it can be done by yourself. I used a floor jack and 2x4 to inch the mount into position. The bumper is bulky, but not heavy (for me, YMMV and take all safety precautions, I have never been the example to follow!).
I did the install in sections over the course of 3 nights and a day as I had time. I 'd break it down like this (roughly +/-, YMMV):
1 hr to clock and mount the winch and install the clutch relo kit
1 hr to prep the mount for install
1 hr to pull the bumper, panels, and tow hooks
1 hr to mod the bumper support and repaint
1 hr to cut the grill to fit and test fit the cuts. BTW, the grill uses two bolts w/ retainers on the top and two snap clips on each side. It's very secure and I don't expect an issue.
1 hr to rewire and install the control box using the VICE Designs relo kit
1.5 hr to put the bumper back in place, add fairlead, check torque on all hardware and mark bolts
0.5 hr to take photos and post to 5thGenrams.com.
The solution to the fairlead install takes 13 years of planning. You have to go back in time and make sure you have a skinny 13 year old kid who can snake their arm up behind the bumper and hold the wrench while you torque the nut from the front. I also hit the hardware store tonight and picked up 40mm long M12 flanged bolts which ended up being the perfect length. I have the Warn Evo 10S, so your winch hardware might be different. With the right hardware the fairlead install took all of 5 minutes.