VDP Endcap Mod...Mod???
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Sabina, OH
VDP Endcap Mod...Mod???
Okay, do I've ordered my VDP End Caps to do the Mod, but I'm thinking about modifying the mod 
As much as I like the stubby look I am not a fan of seeing the plastic rivets. I started the cut and plastic weld route on another bumper that I picked up, and it was going okay other than I went through 3 Harbor-Freight plastic welders trying to get one side done. (I was buying the overgrown soldering iron type) I didn't really want to spend big bucks on a quality welder for a one time mod. So the one side looks great but this method id proving to be more of a pain than it is worth. So I threw in the towel and ordered some VDP end caps.
My question for you all is the feasibility of trimming the VDP caps at the rivet holes and then epoxying them onto the bumper. This would not only make them a touch shorter than they currently are (which I want) but also eliminate the rivets. To finish it off I was thinking of using 100% black silicone at the visible seam of the old bumper to the new end caps. Is there an epoxy you have experience with that has worked well on this plastic? Any thoughts on the silicone adhering?
This is a pic of what I am thinking:
As much as I like the stubby look I am not a fan of seeing the plastic rivets. I started the cut and plastic weld route on another bumper that I picked up, and it was going okay other than I went through 3 Harbor-Freight plastic welders trying to get one side done. (I was buying the overgrown soldering iron type) I didn't really want to spend big bucks on a quality welder for a one time mod. So the one side looks great but this method id proving to be more of a pain than it is worth. So I threw in the towel and ordered some VDP end caps.
My question for you all is the feasibility of trimming the VDP caps at the rivet holes and then epoxying them onto the bumper. This would not only make them a touch shorter than they currently are (which I want) but also eliminate the rivets. To finish it off I was thinking of using 100% black silicone at the visible seam of the old bumper to the new end caps. Is there an epoxy you have experience with that has worked well on this plastic? Any thoughts on the silicone adhering?
This is a pic of what I am thinking:
JK Jedi
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 107
From: missoula,mt
I have Rough Country end caps (they are steel) and used the rivets along with black RVT. On plastic the RVT would be plenty strong to hold them in place. I will say I do not notice the plastic retainers (not really rivets just push in pins) Originally I was going to use some cap screws because I thought it would look a little more industrial but once I used the plastic retainers they kind of disappear.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Sabina, OH
That's it huh... One reply... How can I hang with the cool kids?
Not that I'm unappreciative for that reply but it was on the RC caps that are steel... Didn't really answer my question.
Not that I'm unappreciative for that reply but it was on the RC caps that are steel... Didn't really answer my question.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Macomb, MI
So, has no one else done this? I just purchased some of these and would much prefer to not install these rivets and just go with some sort of industrial glue. Any suggestions, other than some good 'ol Elmers? Wouldn't it be nice, no rivets and maybe some nice bedliner??? Someone has done this.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 21
From: Grand falls, Newfoundland
So, has no one else done this? I just purchased some of these and would much prefer to not install these rivets and just go with some sort of industrial glue. Any suggestions, other than some good 'ol Elmers? Wouldn't it be nice, no rivets and maybe some nice bedliner??? Someone has done this.