Rockhard full width bumper install

[Andy29847]

I chose a Rockhard bumper because it matches up with the way I tow my TJ. It is a more expensive bumper than most, but they sell tow brackets with it, so I do not have to have a base plate. I ordered my bumper from Rubitrux in Boone, NC. Rockhard products seem to be the same price everywhere so the only shopping is for shipping rates. My bumper was drop shipped from the factory and it took ~5 weeks to get to my house. The delay didn't matter for me. It came in the day after I finished replacing the engine in my lawnmower. I hate working on lawnmowers.

It's a big package!

I had to convince my wife that it is not a sexual aid.

I could give you a step by step, but Rockhard has made a good movie of the install. Note the Rockhard installer lifting the bumper up there like it is a box of fried chicken. I'm guessing he is working with an aluminum bumper. My bumper didn't seem that light. It is easy to position because if sits on the frame rails while you install the bolts. No sweating and groaning.

I got the bumper mounted today. The hardware is good and there is plenty of it. I didn't have a deep wall 18mm socket to remove the old bumper, but a 19mm worked just fine. Later this week I'll add the fog lights and my new Badlands (Harbor Freight) Apex winch. I've got a Warn 8000 pound winch on my TJ, and I've never had to use it. I guess I'm a weenie wheeler. I don't expect the JT will be used as hard as the TJ, so I thought the Harbor Freight winch would work for me. The new bumper is made to replace the front skid plate that is found on the Rubicon. I measured the height to the flares before and after and the front sank 1/8". The winch will make it settle a little more.

I'll update when the project is complete.

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[Andy29847]

More work on the new Gladiator. I moved the fog lights from the stock bumper to the new one. That was easy except the stock bumper had tons of fasteners I needed to remove to get the wiring harness out of the bumper. Whoever designed the stock bumper must have been getting paid by the part. After the lights, I started on the winch. My first roadblock was that my hole was too narrow (front to back). The Rockhard bumper comes with 1/2" and 1' spacers in the hardware kit. I had installed the bumper with 1" spacers as instructed. I removed the 8 nuts and bolts that hold the bumper on to add more spacers. Drat!! A couple of the stainless steel bolts that came with the bumper hardware galled up when I loosened them. Off to Tractor Supply for new hardware.

I replaced the stainless steel stuff with grade 8 nuts, bolts, and washers. With the extra spacers installed, the winch dropped right in. I am little concerned because the positive lead for the winch comes out of the back of the winch and is rubbing on my grill. I'm going to do something there to protect the paint.

 

[kevman65]

Do a search, someone relocated where the lead comes out of that winch to where it comes out the passenger side end.

 

[Andy29847]

Do a search, someone relocated where the lead comes out of that winch to where it comes out the passenger side end.

My first searches were fruitless. If you remember where you saw that, please share. Regardless, I'll pull the control box apart and see what it takes. Thanks for the idea!

 

[kevman65]

My first searches were fruitless. If you remember where you saw that, please share. Regardless, I'll pull the control box apart and see what it takes. Thanks for the idea!

No, I can't remember.
It's in one of the multiple page threads that rambles about on all subjects.
But I believe he relocated the top section to under the hood and took the lead out the passenger side of the motor cover.
Disassembled the cover, drilled a hole, installed a grommet, reconnected lead to motor terminal and then routed everything to under hood connections.

 

[kevman65]

Here ya go.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/new-apex-12k-harbor-freight-winch-install.23358/

 

[Andy29847]

Here ya go.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/new-apex-12k-harbor-freight-winch-install.23358/

Your Google fu is strong. Thanks!

Andy

 

[mstrav73]

can you show us picks with your blue ox tow bar on your rv? curious height of jeep connection point vs tow vehicle

 

[Andy29847]

can you show us picks with your blue ox tow bar on your rv? curious height of jeep connection point vs tow vehicle

FWIW, my Gladiator has sunk 1/4" on the suspension with the addition of the bumper and winch.

It may be a while before I mate my camper with my Gladiator. I have been towing my 2004 Wrangler for 4 years using a Ready Brute Tow Bar with a surge brake. At times I use an extension and carry my dirt bike too. The connection point on the TJ is is at 26". The Gladiator is at 22". The Wrangler is 3-4" higher than the hitch on my motorhome. The gladiator should be near level. The thing I like most about towing 4 down is that the towed vehicle stays in the tracks of my RV on the turns.

 

[Andy29847]

Do a search, someone relocated where the lead comes out of that winch to where it comes out the passenger side end.

I moved my winch cable to the side of the control box this morning. I like this arrangement much better than to old one. I documented my work here:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...nch-mod-move-positive-cable.38243/post-618157

Looks a lot more better.

 

[Andy29847]

I love finishing a project! I only dropped one small nut I couldn't find and I still have all my 10mm sockets and wrenches.

 

[kevman65]

I'm glad you chose that bumper and winch combo so I can see what it looks like before I do it.

Only difference in front bumpers is I'm getting the one with a front receiver built in.

 

[sroth2k]

I chose a Rockhard bumper because it matches up with the way I tow my TJ. It is a more expensive bumper than most, but they sell tow brackets with it, so I do not have to have a base plate. I ordered my bumper from Rubitrux in Boone, NC. Rockhard products seem to be the same price everywhere so the only shopping is for shipping rates. My bumper was drop shipped from the factory and it took ~5 weeks to get to my house. The delay didn't matter for me. It came in the day after I finished replacing the engine in my lawnmower. I hate working on lawnmowers.

It's a big package!

I had to convince my wife that it is not a sexual aid.

I could give you a step by step, but Rockhard has made a good movie of the install. Note the Rockhard installer lifting the bumper up there like it is a box of fried chicken. I'm guessing he is working with an aluminum bumper. My bumper didn't seem that light. It is easy to position because if sits on the frame rails while you install the bolts. No sweating and groaning.

I got the bumper mounted today. The hardware is good and there is plenty of it. I didn't have a deep wall 18mm socket to remove the old bumper, but a 19mm worked just fine. Later this week I'll add the fog lights and my new Badlands (Harbor Freight) Apex winch. I've got a Warn 8000 pound winch on my TJ, and I've never had to use it. I guess I'm a weenie wheeler. I don't expect the JT will be used as hard as the TJ, so I thought the Harbor Freight winch would work for me. The new bumper is made to replace the front skid plate that is found on the Rubicon. I measured the height to the flares before and after and the front sank 1/8". The winch will make it settle a little more.

I'll update when the project is complete.

It looks idiot proof which is what I need. I think you sold me on this bumper. Thanks.
I’ll update this post if I remember to take photos. I have CRS disease sometimes.

 

[sroth2k]

I chose a Rockhard bumper because it matches up with the way I tow my TJ. It is a more expensive bumper than most, but they sell tow brackets with it, so I do not have to have a base plate. I ordered my bumper from Rubitrux in Boone, NC. Rockhard products seem to be the same price everywhere so the only shopping is for shipping rates. My bumper was drop shipped from the factory and it took ~5 weeks to get to my house. The delay didn't matter for me. It came in the day after I finished replacing the engine in my lawnmower. I hate working on lawnmowers.

It's a big package!

I had to convince my wife that it is not a sexual aid.

I could give you a step by step, but Rockhard has made a good movie of the install. Note the Rockhard installer lifting the bumper up there like it is a box of fried chicken. I'm guessing he is working with an aluminum bumper. My bumper didn't seem that light. It is easy to position because if sits on the frame rails while you install the bolts. No sweating and groaning.

I got the bumper mounted today. The hardware is good and there is plenty of it. I didn't have a deep wall 18mm socket to remove the old bumper, but a 19mm worked just fine. Later this week I'll add the fog lights and my new Badlands (Harbor Freight) Apex winch. I've got a Warn 8000 pound winch on my TJ, and I've never had to use it. I guess I'm a weenie wheeler. I don't expect the JT will be used as hard as the TJ, so I thought the Harbor Freight winch would work for me. The new bumper is made to replace the front skid plate that is found on the Rubicon. I measured the height to the flares before and after and the front sank 1/8". The winch will make it settle a little more.

I'll update when the project is complete.

Which model is this bumper. There's a gob of them.

 

[Andy29847]

Which model is this bumper. There's a gob of them.

There are choices - Patriot series
Aluminum or steel - I chose steel
width - stubby, medium, full - I chose full width
winch plate - on top, recessed, no winch plate - I chose recessed
tow brackets - mine are blue ox

I ordered form Rubitrux in Boone, NC because they had the best shipping deal. It was shipped to my house.

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