[north idaho rancher]

Howdy all,

I was mounting the new box (thanks Andrew ) and started looking at the front rack which I never use. Couple of minutes with the air ratchet and it's off .

I think it looks better, and the front won't snag near as much on branches and the like . I could probably grind off the rack mounts from the front bumper, but I don't like to do permanent mods in case I ever want to switch back. Maybe some nice looking black chair floor protectors?

What do you think?

Scott

 

[JWJR]

if anyone made a low profile bumper like the yamaha's do and fill the all the holes that would look good. i personly as is i like the foreman better with it on, and i use the front rack on mine so i kind of needs to stay there.

 

[boss500]

Have that rincon look without the front bumper

 

[wellsasw]

The box looks real good. I am glad it worked out for you. I have found that I use the front rack a lot more since the rear rack has the box taking up the majority of the space back there. Just a thought..

Andrew

 

[north idaho rancher]

QUOTE

if anyone made a low profile bumper like the yamaha's do and fill the all the holes that would look good.

QUOTE

Have that rincon look without the front bumper

QUOTE

I have found that I use the front rack a lot more since the rear rack has the box taking up the majority of the space back there.

Yeppers,
If the "front carry pipe" AKA bumper wasn't needed to hold up the AP bash plate, I'd consider removing it and modding up a different bumper system. Maybe I could find a newer bumper I could cut up......

My main reason for doing it is to keep the branches, trees, small animals, children, etc. from clogging up under the front rack when I'm working on my property.

It is an excellent way to gather kindling though .

Scott

 

[rockbottom12]

i would put it back on.

 

[mudman1]

I think it looks great without it but the bumper isn't going to take much of a hit without bending now. The rack is a structural part of the bumper set up and is pretty weak without the rack installed.

 

[928GT]

Hi Scott,

Mudman1 is correct. I did this a few months ago, there is a thread here somewhere. After looking at how the front structure is made I decided to put it back on. While taking low hits will be fine, if you take some higher hits it will bend the whole front subframe.

BTW, those are some nice looking shocks you got there, that Swamp looks good too

 

[ga_trx500fe]

The front bumper gets a lot of its strength from the rack connection that is attached to the frame. Keep in mind you only have x4 bolts on the lower bumper holding it on to the frame and x2 for top support connected to the front rack. If you going all show and no go IE no heavy woods, rough rocks bla bla.. leave it .. but if their is any chance you might have to actually use the front bumper, put it back on.
Just my x2 cents .

 

[north idaho rancher]

QUOTE

mudman1: The rack is a structural part of the bumper set up and is pretty weak without the rack installed.

QUOTE

928GT: While taking low hits will be fine, if you take some higher hits it will bend the whole front subframe.

QUOTE

ga_trx500fe: The front bumper gets a lot of its strength from the rack connection that is attached to the frame

Thanks guys!

Yep, the structural aspect of it was/is a concern, so I'm going to stick it back on until I figure out another approach. Honda wants 100 bucks for a new one and I don't want too spend that much if I'm just going to whack it.

Edit: I just thought about using the winch. Without the additional support, I'd probably pull the front end off the next time I hooked on to a log!

QUOTE

928GT: BTW, those are some nice looking shocks you got there, that Swamp looks good too :

I assume it looks a little familiar? Having friends in low (elevation wise!) places sure does help!

Scott

 

[eric]

I think it looks sweet without front rack. You could fab some tubing (or cut up front rack up) to run from top bumper mounts back to the frame where the holes in plastic are. With a little work it could look good and be strong.