Ok, opened up my incredibly well wrapped package today (took almost as long to unwrap it than it did to install the front bar). As a bit of background, I worked as an engineer in a metal fabrication plant as a young man and the brackets are of excellent quality. Clean threads, nice radius on the edges, deburred properly, etc. Very pleased. The passenger side front bar clears the alternator easily and misses the tranny dipstick by a good half-inch. Took about 45 minutes taking my time for the front. (resting now before I do the rear, it is too damn hot out!). Most of the time was spent getting more tools and filing down the two screws that used to hold wire tie-downs on each side so that the brackets would fit. The only other problem on the front was that the bracket had an interference fit on the edge of the mounting point of the strut/shock. A few minutes with a file took care of that and the rest went very smoothly, a few clicks on the torque wrench and the easy to follow instructions were just right. I would put this at about a 1.5 (out of 10) on the difficulty scale and it would have been lower had I not had to file the screws and bracket.

The bracket was very close, I chalk it up to minor differences in my particular car at assembly.

Going to de-hot myself in the house for a bit, clean out the trunk and put the rear bar on. The hood closes just fine, does not appear to be any rubbing and the rear and all edges line up just like before.

Looking at the rear bar, there are a couple of chips in the paint (the front was flawless), but nothing a little touch up won't fix. I will get back to it in about an hour and then update this particular post with any suggestions I think might help anyone installing these after I am done.

Rear bar bolted right in. dropped the rear seat to get some air moving through there so I didn't parboil and that is that. The trunk seems a bit harder to close, I doubt I tweaked the rear bar enough to twist anything, but I will go make sure I am in a level area and loosen/tighten up the bolts. Then a couple cuts for the trunk carpet and that's it.

 

Douglas I'm glad you liked the quality of my parts and the install was easy to do. I'm also happy to hear the bar clears the hood, it sounds like the adjustment did the trick.

As for the paint that's chipped on the rear bar, that's the way I receive them from GM. I only paint the front bar because it gets scratched when I form the clearance for the alternator. Plus it's in plain sight under the hood so it needs to look nice.

The rear bar is hidden in the trunk, and it can't be seen unless you bend down to look at it, so there's really no need to paint it. Thanks for the detailed response and for purchasing the STB bars & brackets from me.

1CL3ANSUP3RSPORT I found out today that they are shipping me one set of bars. When I receive them I'll modify/adjust/paint the front bar and ship everything out to you. The other 9 sets of bars are still on backorder and hopefully I will receive them soon.

 

Thanks Don I do appreciate the response,can't wait to get them in...

 

first mod everyone should do. Period. End of story.

 

Alright Don...If there is still time, I want in. But let me know when you receive the parts then I will pay you via PP.

 

mark me down too don, im in as well! let us know when u get those parts

 

Ok guys I added both of you to the list.

1) DieselPump - Confirmed
2) 1CL3ANSUP3RSPORT - Paid
3) 06 SS - Paid - Shipped
4) '06_GXP_89 - Paid - Shipped
5) 707chance - Paid - Shipped
6) bluelightning101 - Confirmed
7) wesdean78
8) Havelegs
9) 2005gxp - Confirmed
10) Tmichelena - Confirmed
11) GXP25
12) monte_with_a_LS4
13) Nick_Nasty's_GXP - Confirmed
14) bigalnash - Confirmed
15) TheMonteMan

GXP25 and monte_with_a_LS4 can I mark you guys confirmed now that the front bar clears the hood?

Havelegs and wesdean78 do you guys still want a set of bars & brackets? Let me know so I can mark you guys confirmed or take you off the list.

 

"Yes."

I need the bar sprayed though. If you can't do it I'll just purchase the brackets from you and get Flip to do them.

I have some emails back from 2008 where he said he'd be able to spray them Dark Cherry Metallic for me.

 

If you get the bars from Flip there's no discount on the brackets, and you'll have to contact him to have the bars modified and painted.

 

yes confirm me. Do i still pay when you get them?

 

Sure I'll let everyone know when I get the bars.

1) DieselPump - Confirmed
2) 1CL3ANSUP3RSPORT - Paid
3) 06 SS - Paid - Shipped
4) '06_GXP_89 - Paid - Shipped
5) 707chance - Paid - Shipped
6) bluelightning101 - Confirmed
7) wesdean78
8) Havelegs
9) 2005gxp - Confirmed
10) Tmichelena - Confirmed
11) GXP25 - Confirmed for brackets
12) monte_with_a_LS4 - Confirmed
13) Nick_Nasty's_GXP - Confirmed
14) bigalnash - Confirmed
15) TheMonteMan

 

U Da Man Don THX!! Just let me know when you get them so I can pay you!!!

 

WOW...I had no idea so many people waited sooooooo long to install these bars. Still the best $150 or so (at the time) I spent on the car!

Keep up the good work, regardless of who's handling the bar modification now! You both do excellent work!

 

Can you put me on the list for a set of bars and brackets also? I keep putting off getting these.

 

That's what I was thinking. When I got these early on they were my favorite mod. Really tightens the car up.

+1 Don, you're the man, especially with this GroupBuy.

 

Thanks for the positive comments guys, I really appreciate it.

Garou24 I added you to the list and I ordered 6 more sets of bars today.

1) DieselPump - Confirmed
2) 1CL3ANSUP3RSPORT - Paid
3) 06 SS - Paid - Shipped
4) '06_GXP_89 - Paid - Shipped
5) 707chance - Paid - Shipped
6) bluelightning101 - Confirmed
7) wesdean78
8) Havelegs
9) 2005gxp - Confirmed
10) Tmichelena - Confirmed
11) GXP25 - Confirmed for brackets
12) monte_with_a_LS4 - Confirmed
13) Nick_Nasty's_GXP - Confirmed
14) bigalnash - Confirmed
15) Garou24 - Confirmed
16) TheMonteMan

 

Matt are you going to install your bars and brackets over the weekend?

 

hey don, do you have an estimated date of when the bars will be in? Thanks

 

No I don't, I was told the bars were on backorder and they don't know when they will be delivered. As soon as I find out I'll let everyone know.

 

Yeah I can't wait til they come in!! I want to see how my car handles after the install!!