Southern Style Offroad new management

My slimline gets installed next Tuesday. Are there instructions in the box or online that I should direct him to? Do they include light bar installation also?

I'm going with the Baja S8. It has backlighting. Did anyone else install that same bar and how did you configure the backlight? I'm thinking of having it tied into the DRL.

 

Best instructions, IMO, are the ones @Hodakaguy made on here. Can’t remember if the instructions include lightbar options, but it’s easy- I went S8 also.

Happy to answer questions if you have any.

 

Thanks. Where did you connect the backlighting part of your light bar?

 

Great write up.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nstall-guide-how-to-article-with-tips.545427/

 

Awesome! Thank you!

 

I didn’t actually. Just capped and stowed the backlight wires.

 

OK. Thanks!

 

I'm fully installed now. I love the looks.

 

Looks good!

 

I'm speechless

 

Glad to see you like them!

 

I have to say, I ordered an SSO Slimline Hybrid Bumper, it looks fantastic, functions great, but I couldn't for the life of me get the bumper support pieces installed, and the box shaped pieces, who knows where they go. Either way, it seems to be a nice bumper even under the new management. Mine did get dinged somewhere before it was packed up and shipped but it was on a corner down low under so I just installed it anyway.


Just my question, why don't you provide some sort of instructions for where the pieces go, even for the seasoned mechanic, it's hard to tell. I honestly gave up on these pieces, I've built Jeeps on 40's, been an aircraft mechanic for 10+ years, and wrench on motorcycles for fun. Anyway, I think it's a great design, and I may have to eventually get the other parts for it to be a full bumper here later this year.

I know where the bumper supports go, but two different sized hardware for the mount to the bumper, and in the end, I just gave up. I made the mistake of leaving them until after it was installed on the truck and then could not get them to mount. I am losing some functionality in my hands, due to a medical condition, but two bolts shouldn't be this hard to line up and thread in.

 

I would double check the box the bumper came in, I initially didn't see the bag of bolts and trim, it was hidden under the foam in the bottom of the box. Hopefully you didn't throw out that box yet.

 

You're right. We do need to update our instructions better to properly demonstrate how these universal lightbar mounts work, but I do have a video borrowed from a 4runner installation that uses the same lightbar mounts. I hope this helps!

https://youtu.be/f6qW7XqofsE?t=28

 

Oh, they are lightbar mounts, damn, I just used the mounts I have and bent them slightly to make them fit just right. Now I know, I tried everything I could to figure out some other reason for their existence. Anyway, thanks for the fantastic bumper, I'll be ordering a rear here later this year. I'm curious about the strange position of the built in hitch, behind the license plate, how does that work for towing trailers, or for a bike rack/dirt bike carrier, or is that just a recovery point?

 

The hidden hitch receiver works great for any typical use of a hitch. It's design is exactly like you'd see on any "draw tite" hitch receiver with OEM towing capability. You may need a larger drop hitch to accommodate its elevated position, but the flip up license plate we provide allows easy use with or without a hitch installed.

 

No, not yet. I tore the foam out of the box, but will look again before I pitch things.

Essentially moot since it's now been installed for awhile, but I may replace the AM edge trim with OEM if it's in the box.

 

Any updates on when the following might ship?

Southern Style 16-23 Tacoma Slimline Full Plate Front Bumper
Universal 20" Cutout / With Bullbar

 

I know it gives greater ground clearance, but sometimes I keep a bikerack on the truck for weeks at a time. Can any LEO's chime in if having the plate flipped up is "legal" while on the road?

 

Im no LEO, but do have a RCI rear bumper with integrated hitch.
I ordered a spring loaded license plate holder on Amazon.
We tow our OGT trailer using a Max-Coupler and had the receiver to it in while driving around Leadville CO, and was advised by a fellow camper at the lake (again he wasn't a LEO so take it for what its worth) that hed been pulled over by the cops in Leadville for not having it in the fully down position.

I've just made sure I have our Max-Coupler receiver out and the plate is fully down.
YMMV