Spyderpops bumpskid install debacle ..

[troop]

I received my Spyderpops bumpskid kit from Lamonster this past week. Today, I lifted the Spyder, mounted the skid piece, drilled and removed. Upon installing the clip nuts, it was determined that I was shorted (1) clip nut. I did go to the local hardware store and purchased a 1/4-20 SS bolt/ clip nut out of pocket. Cost a $1.20, no big deal. Got the clips installed, lined up and .... the front bolts are too short. I did specify a 2019 F3-S, and my Spyder has a ribbed grill overlay portion up front that requires longer bolts. I did watch a video of another brand bump skid on Slingmods https://www.slingmods.com/can-am-sp...poiler-guard-with-led-strip-tricled?vehicle=1 and noticed their F3 did not have these ribs. Soooo, Hoping all I need are some longer bolts and a metric clip nut. Holes are drilled, so basically no going back. I emailed/cc'd both Spyderpops and Lamonster for a solution

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Did you remove the factory Bumpskid? I can’t see your photo too well but we have never had any issues installing either Spyderpops or Slingmods bumpskids.

 

[Gwolf]

All you need is longer screws. I had the same problem. I threw all the clip nut backing pieces away and got better ones to put on. The front screws were too short on mine and I put longer screws in it. Paying a few bucks to get good hardware is better than trying to get somebody to send you some. They might send some, I don't know, but why bother when the hardware store is 10 miles away and I can finish it up the same day. Mine been on there for about a year, 10,000 miles now. It is only one certain grill that needs the longer screws. The short screws work on most of them.

It is the front 8 screws that are too short. They are M6 screws and the front ones need to be 1/2 inch longer.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am guessing you will be hearing from both of the vendors you mentioned.

 

[troop]

Did you remove the factory Bumpskid? I can’t see your photo too well but we have never had any issues installing either Spyderpops or Slingmods bumpskids.

On my 2019 F3-S, the lower ribbed portion is part of the one piece lower grill spoiler.

 

[troop]

Not a big deal, just was up on the lift/ drilled and ready to go. I certainly could have gone down and bought the longer SS metric screws, but I just let the bike down and went for a ride on a sunny, 65* day. Supposed to rain Mon-Wed, so I'll likely have the new hardware late week.

 

[Gwolf]

When you put it on, just start the rear screws a couple of threads. Don't tighten any of them until you get all of the screws started and the threads are catching. Then start in the front center tightening a few turns at the time and working back in both directions. The screws in the metal frame members in the back should be the last ones to tighten down. Just keep working from the front to the back going from side to side until they are snug. It don't take much to strip out the clip nuts.

I got a bucket in the shop where I usually throw the hardware that comes with most of the stuff people bring here for me to install. If it looks or feels cheap or it is not the type head I want to use, it goes in the junk hardware bucket. A lot of kits come with the cheapest hardware that is available. Then when somebody stops here and asks if I got some certain size nut or bolt, I take them out to the shop and show them the bucket. They can have it if they can find it. I put a set of nerf bar steps on an F-150 last year and half the hardware was SAE, the other half metric. I threw it all in the bucket and got new hardware.

 

[troop]

Quite honestly, I was happy with the supplied hardware. Nice stainless socket flat screws and pretty stout clip nuts. Yep, I did do the (2) rear screws first, threaded in enough to keep the plastic plate steady. I started at the front and quickly realized the screws were too short. I'll keep everything loose, as I'll likely need to shimmy it around a bit to get all the screws in place. I use a small awl to line up clip nuts/drilled holes before inserting the screws.. I'll try again hopefully next weekend

 

[Gwolf]

Once you get the longer screws for the front, it will go on easy. The screws are good enough quality, but that doesn't matter if they are too short.

 

[Frankie69]

All hardware supplied for my install worked well, I put it on 2 days ago. Mine has ribbed underside also, screwed in nice and snug

 

[Frankie69]

Here it is installed

 

[troop]

Hmmm... I got (2) 40mm length screws for the rear and (12) 25mm length screws (7/8") for everything else. I know (6) of the front screws weren't long enough to reach clip nuts on the very front. Quit trying after that. Thinking I'll need 40mm's for (6) of the fronts. Yours looks to be a stealth model

 

[Gwolf]

Hmmm... I got (2) 40mm length screws for the rear and (12) 25mm length screws (7/8") for everything else. I know (6) of the front screws weren't long enough to reach clip nuts on the very front. Quit trying after that. Thinking I'll need 40mm's for (6) of the fronts. Yours looks to be a stealth model

6 long screws might do it. The notes I made when I put mine on say I used 8 long screws.

Mine is 2019 F3-S Special Series.

 

[troop]

Well ... After a telephone call to Spyderpops today, it has been determined that 2019 and up F3's have SS type grills !! This was unbeknownst to them. After looking at 2018 F3-S grills and SS accessory grills, I can see it. They were helpful. To start, they're sending me some longer screws to attach as drilled. Another option was to dremel/smooth down the (5) ribs. They also offered me the option of sending it back for store credit. Gonna try the longer screws 1st. Might have a touch less reduced ground clearance, but shouldn't be too much of an issue. Dremeling down the back half of the ribs would also be easy enough, but likely would require more drilling as the bump skid piece would be a touch different in placement. I advised them they may need to make fitment notations on 2019 and up F3 models..

 

[PMK]

Well ... After a telephone call to Spyderpops today, it has been determined that 2019 and up F3's have SS type grills !! This was unbeknownst to them. After looking at 2018 F3-S grills and SS accessory grills, I can see it. They were helpful. To start, they're sending me some longer screws to attach as drilled. Another option was to dremel/smooth down the (5) ribs. They also offered me the option of sending it back for store credit. Gonna try the longer screws 1st. Might have a touch less reduced ground clearance, but shouldn't be too much of an issue. Dremeling down the back half of the ribs would also be easy enough, but likely would require more drilling as the bump skid piece would be a touch different in placement. I advised them they may need to make fitment notations on 2019 and up F3 models..

Kind of sounds like the ribs could act as wear strips.

 

[troop]

Yeah .. I think that's their purpose. With the bumpskid on, they'll reduce ground clearance by approx 1/3". Grind them down flat and the whole lower portion will still be protected by the bumpskid plastic.

 

[troop]

Got the longer screws in 3 days and got it installed. Their will be about a .3" reduction in ground clearance, so we shall see. If I have more than normal scrapings, I'll likely just ground down the ribs to gain that extra .3" back. We shall see.