Mopar Steel Front Bumper Ebay

[Schreconjeep]

Ok So, I went with the Ebay mopar steelie. Install was fairly straight forward but the steel skid that came with the Rubi plastic doesn't work so I had to buy another (irritating but no biggie). Now I'm looking at a Smittybilt winch and wondering how the fairlead mounts up. Does it just bolt to the bumper or is there a bracket that goes from the bumper to the winch plate? And what about all those damn holes around the fairlead??

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[ShadowsPapa]

Ok So, I went with the Ebay mopar steelie. Install was fairly straight forward but the steel skid that came with the Rubi plastic doesn't work so I had to buy another (irritating but no biggie). Now I'm looking at a Smittybilt winch and wondering how the fairlead mounts up. Does it just bolt to the bumper or is there a bracket that goes from the bumper to the winch plate? And what about all those damn holes around the fairlead??

Folks need to understand the steel skid plate on Rubicon or others that do NOT have the steel bumper is for JTs that don't have the steel bumper.
For JTs with the steel bumper there's a different skid plate.

It would not have mattered 1 bit if you had spent $1500 and gotten the MOPAR steel bumper with the MOPAR part number on a sticker inside the bumper - same thing. (Well, you'd then have to buy the skid plate after just springing for a 1500 dollar bumper........)

There are TWO skid plates -
* One for JT withOUT the steel bumper
* One for JT WITH the steel bumper.

Since the eBay bumper is the same size and shape and configuration of the MOPAR branded version, it would figure you'd have the same situation.

Anyone installing a steel bumper based on the Mopar/Jeep steel bumper, or installing the Mopar/Jeep bumper either has to modify something or buy the skid plate that is intended to be used with the steel bumper.
If you have the "plastic bumper" you have two options -
Buy the correct skid plate for the steel bumper
or
Modify your skid plate or bumper to make things work.

That thing on Overland and others that looked like a skid plate but is plastic with a steel backer - that's an air dam, not a skid plate. Don't even think of hitting anything harder than newly fallen snow with it.

 

[Schreconjeep]

I understood the skid plate issues. But that was a great explanation, wish I had it a couple weeks ago.

Now I just need to figure out the fairlead space.

 

[aztec1382]

Will the oem led foglights fit the ebay bumper

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Will the oem led foglights fit the ebay bumper

Yes, it comes with adapters. I put the stock LED fog lights from my Overland bumper in the steel bumper.

 

[aztec1382]

Yes, it comes with adapters. I put the stock LED fog lights from my Overland bumper in the steel bumper.

any pics
debating between that bumper and the rugged ridge arcus
thanks

 

[ChillxPoint]

Yeah I figured that with the Chinese parts. But I spray all of my aftermarket bumpers unless they come powder coated or something already. Got mine on this weekend along with the lift and tires.
Had to do a little trimming as did everyone else, but it bolted right up after that. Now I need steps and then a winch.

Did your skid plate need trimming or did it bolt right up to the knock off mopar bumper.
Can i see pics of where i neee to trim my rubicon skid plate to make this bumper work?

 

[Darel]

Guys, re: trimming the skidplate: opening up the mounting holes for the bolts on he side of the frame (the bolt that pass through the removable brackets) accomplishes the exact same thing by dropping the non-steel skid enough to clear the steel bumper (ok, mine rubs a bit but I probably could have opened up the hole another 1/16"), takes 30 seconds with a unibit and doesn't require you to trim and fit and trim more and fit and trim more and fit and trim more and fit. Also if it matters, you're modifying a $20 bracket vs. the $200 skidplate itself.

 

[ChillxPoint]

Not decent, but some pics -

Hey i had a winch plate question.
So i installed the winch plate but i think I installed the winch plate brackets incorrect. Looking at your picture i see you attached the brackets under the winch plate. I installed them on top. See pictures. Dont mind the missing bolt. I didnt have clearance to secure the bumper bolts so i had to remove the winch bracket plate bolt. Now that i think of it i would probably have more clearance if i installed the brackets on the bottom. Anyways can you provide any insight on this matter?

 

[ChillxPoint]

Also when I remove the end caps to make it a stubby, that big hole on the bumper. Will the this work to fit that hole?

1 1/4 Inch Round Plastic Plug (8 Pack) Pipe Tubing End Cap, Round Plastic Tubing Plug, Durable Chair Glide, 14-20 Gauge, by Brew Dog Supplies (14-20 Gauge) by EZENDS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SY8SR62/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_E39MY3JK51B7EVBM1RKB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Also when I remove the end caps to make it a stubby, that big hole on the bumper. Will the this work to fit that hole?

1 1/4 Inch Round Plastic Plug (8 Pack) Pipe Tubing End Cap, Round Plastic Tubing Plug, Durable Chair Glide, 14-20 Gauge, by Brew Dog Supplies (14-20 Gauge) by EZENDS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SY8SR62/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_E39MY3JK51B7EVBM1RKB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

That's the exact same plug I used on the holes, in fact, when I click your link, it shows that as a past order for me.

On the stock regular MOPAR steel bumper, the two smaller holes in the ends of the fog light bezels are POM riveted to the bumper using those holes.

As far as the brackets, I tried them on top and decided they were in the way for the bumper nuts, among other things, and I didn't feel it was all that strong being bolted to the frame in that upper area. It's bolted a lot more securely to the thicker frame itself down below.

 

[ChillxPoint]

That's the exact same plug I used on the holes, in fact, when I click your link, it shows that as a past order for me.

On the stock regular MOPAR steel bumper, the two smaller holes in the ends of the fog light bezels are POM riveted to the bumper using those holes.

As far as the brackets, I tried them on top and decided they were in the way for the bumper nuts, among other things, and I didn't feel it was all that strong being bolted to the frame in that upper area. It's bolted a lot more securely to the thicker frame itself down below.

Thank you for the info. I also noticed you used those goldish brackets to secure the skid plate to the bumper but my plastic bumper didnt have those to pull from. Im assuming its probably because i had a rubicon. I ended up using a bolt and nut but i like your idea better. I also just looked at my friends wrangler rubicon that came stock with that bumper and skid plate and he has something similar to what you used but its silver. Im probably going to buy them from the dealer unless you have a better idea?

 

[ChillxPoint]

Guess they are called u-nuts? Here are some pics of the original and some at lowes.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The color is just the finish. Gold is yellow zinc. Silver or silver/blue is clear zinc, black is usually a black phosphate.
Zinc usually lasts long in bad environments.
The screws and threads are metric. M8 size/diameter, 1.25 pitch

You can buy them where-ever you wish. Here is MOPAR's official parts list on them (shell being bumper shell)

 

[ChillxPoint]

The color is just the finish. Gold is yellow zinc. Silver or silver/blue is clear zinc, black is usually a black phosphate.
Zinc usually lasts long in bad environments.
The screws and threads are metric. M8 size/diameter, 1.25 pitch

You can buy them where-ever you wish. Here is MOPAR's official parts list on them (shell being bumper shell)

Thanks. You have been a huge help. Hopefully this will help others. Also i ended up keeping the brackets on the top of the winch because it just fit better. After some adjustments i can even reach the bumper bolts with clearance so i dont have to take off the winch bracket bolt to remove the bumper anymore.

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