Rubicon - Plastic bumper to Steel Bumper Conversion

[Spooled]

Thats it!!! I still have the brackets mounted wow I thought I was going crazy!!! I've mounted 2 previously steel bumpers on previous jeeps. I didn't have this issue. No wonder. Thank You again!!!

Last question if anyone knows, does anyone know what the part number is for those clip nut that bolt the steel bumper with the skid plate?

Thats it!!! I still have the brackets mounted wow I thought I was going crazy!!! I've mounted 2 previously steel bumpers on previous jeeps. I didn't have this issue. No wonder. Thank You again!!!

Last question if anyone knows, does anyone know what the part number is for those clip nut that bolt the steel bumper with the skid plate?

That clip is part number 6105244AA. List price is $2.00 each.

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[Spooled]

Hmm would like to know also, as I just bought a take off steel bumper with skid plate that I’ve yet to install…

I heard I’ll have issues with my Overland fog lights fitting on the steel bumper. I wish there was a parts number list for the bolts, skid plate brackets, and fog light brackets.

The steel bumper will work with 2021 models. I have a 2021 Sport S that had the plastic bumper and halogen fog lamps. The Sport S has a plastic "skid plate" that is replaced when you use the steel bumper.
In addition to the steel bumper I needed the following parts.

Skid plate package. Part number 82215183AB (This includes a steel skid plate, 2 skid plate mounting brackets and 4 expandable hex nuts that fit into the frame to mount the brackets.) List price is $271.00

Close out panel. Part number 6BU43RXFAB. This panel fills in the gap between the grille and the steel bumper. It is different than the one that is on the plastic bumper. List price is $38.45

I used the LED fog lamps that came with the steel bumper. To mount halogen fog lamps in the steel bumper, I believe you need fog lamp brackets. Part number 68298651AA. List price $8.80 each.

To make the LED fog lamps operate properly, I had our dealership add the LED fog lamp option into the Chrysler DealerConnect system and then flashed the Gladiator computer. There is an option to only flash the computer for LED fog lamps. There is another option to flash the computer for all LED lamps. I left my headlamps halogen, so I chose the option to only flash the fog lamps.

The bumper and skid plate fit perfectly with no gaps. I know the bumper is expensive and adding the skid plate package and closeout panel adds another $300.00, but that is what is needed on a Sport S and probably an Overland. I am not sure about a Rubicon, as they come with an existing steel skid plate. I am not sure if the Rubicon existing steel skid plate fits the contours of the lower edge of the steel bumper.

Hope this helps.

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

The steel bumper will work with 2021 models. I have a 2021 Sport S that had the plastic bumper and halogen fog lamps. The Sport S has a plastic "skid plate" that is replaced when you use the steel bumper.
In addition to the steel bumper I needed the following parts.

Skid plate package. Part number 82215183AB (This includes a steel skid plate, 2 skid plate mounting brackets and 4 expandable hex nuts that fit into the frame to mount the brackets.) List price is $271.00

Close out panel. Part number 6BU43RXFAB. This panel fills in the gap between the grille and the steel bumper. It is different than the one that is on the plastic bumper. List price is $38.45

I used the LED fog lamps that came with the steel bumper. To mount halogen fog lamps in the steel bumper, I believe you need fog lamp brackets. Part number 68298651AA. List price $8.80 each.

To make the LED fog lamps operate properly, I had our dealership add the LED fog lamp option into the Chrysler DealerConnect system and then flashed the Gladiator computer. There is an option to only flash the computer for LED fog lamps. There is another option to flash the computer for all LED lamps. I left my headlamps halogen, so I chose the option to only flash the fog lamps.

The bumper and skid plate fit perfectly with no gaps. I know the bumper is expensive and adding the skid plate package and closeout panel adds another $300.00, but that is what is needed on a Sport S and probably an Overland. I am not sure about a Rubicon, as they come with an existing steel skid plate. I am not sure if the Rubicon existing steel skid plate fits the contours of the lower edge of the steel bumper.

Hope this helps.

Thanks man.

So I got my steel bumper as a take off, I am pretty sure i've narrowed down all the parts i'll need to install, skid plate brackets, rivet nuts, and some screws. The problem will be the fog light brackets. I have the LED package on my overland, so i won't need to flash, but the bracket for the fog lights on the Overland are differnt than those of the steel bumper. Overland fogs have 4 mounting points and the Steel bumper has two.

 

[mojaveron]

Here is a link to some bracket adapters I bought to install 4 bolt to two bolt fog lights for the steel bumper.

https://maximus-3.com/jl-bumper-accessories-/jl-fog-light-adapter-bracket

 

[Caspien]

2021 installed just fine.

Wife and I installed it, the skid, a winch plate, and an EVO 12S in the driveway.. took about 3 hours due to the fact I'm an idiot.

Note: The steel skid plate has front and rear mounting holes. However, the rear mounting holes have nothing to attach it to.. it LOOKS like it should line up with the holes that the original skid connected to, but there is too much clearance for that.. I found with that for about 30 mins, trying to figure out how the hole could line up... only to finally get mad, and look up some install videos.. and universally, if you have the steel bumper, the skid attaches to the bumper only, apparently.

I'd still like to see a spacer or adapter in there to make it line up.. but if it's good enough for everyone else... right?

 

[Phishs]

Did anyone notice any addition front end sag when going from the plastic bumper to the steel one since it adds around 50lbs give it take?

 

[Spooled]

2021 installed just fine.

Wife and I installed it, the skid, a winch plate, and an EVO 12S in the driveway.. took about 3 hours due to the fact I'm an idiot.

Note: The steel skid plate has front and rear mounting holes. However, the rear mounting holes have nothing to attach it to.. it LOOKS like it should line up with the holes that the original skid connected to, but there is too much clearance for that.. I found with that for about 30 mins, trying to figure out how the hole could line up... only to finally get mad, and look up some install videos.. and universally, if you have the steel bumper, the skid attaches to the bumper only, apparently.

I'd still like to see a spacer or adapter in there to make it line up.. but if it's good enough for everyone else... right?

As I said in my post above, I can’t speak for the original Rubicon steel skid plate, but the steel skid plate kit I listed in the post, definitely has mounting brackets that attach the rear of the skid plate to the frame. It also attaches to the bumper itself. I have included photos if this helps anyone.

 

[Spooled]

Did anyone notice any addition front end sag when going from the plastic bumper to the steel one since it adds around 50lbs give it take?

I do not notice any sag with the steel bumper versus the plastic bumper.

 

[Caspien]

The steel bumper will work with 2021 models. I have a 2021 Sport S that had the plastic bumper and halogen fog lamps. The Sport S has a plastic "skid plate" that is replaced when you use the steel bumper.
In addition to the steel bumper I needed the following parts.

Skid plate package. Part number 82215183AB (This includes a steel skid plate, 2 skid plate mounting brackets and 4 expandable hex nuts that fit into the frame to mount the brackets.) List price is $271.00

Close out panel. Part number 6BU43RXFAB. This panel fills in the gap between the grille and the steel bumper. It is different than the one that is on the plastic bumper. List price is $38.45

I used the LED fog lamps that came with the steel bumper. To mount halogen fog lamps in the steel bumper, I believe you need fog lamp brackets. Part number 68298651AA. List price $8.80 each.

To make the LED fog lamps operate properly, I had our dealership add the LED fog lamp option into the Chrysler DealerConnect system and then flashed the Gladiator computer. There is an option to only flash the computer for LED fog lamps. There is another option to flash the computer for all LED lamps. I left my headlamps halogen, so I chose the option to only flash the fog lamps.

The bumper and skid plate fit perfectly with no gaps. I know the bumper is expensive and adding the skid plate package and closeout panel adds another $300.00, but that is what is needed on a Sp

As I said in my post above, I can’t speak for the original Rubicon steel skid plate, but the steel skid plate kit I listed in the post, definitely has mounting brackets that attach the rear of the skid plate to the frame. It also attaches to the bumper itself. I have included photos if this helps anyone.

Interesting..

You quoted the 82215183AB part number, which is a kit. However, the part number I installed is 68293984AB.

The rear edge of my skid also looks a little different than yours, but the steel stock Rubicon one (which didn't have the front mount holes) has a similar back edge as yours.

Wondering if they have a few variants floating around.

Gonna see if I can find those bracket part numbers, and add them as well.. assuming they will fit. Hrmm. (As mentioned, I'd prefer to have front and rear mounts for anymore sturdy construction)




~ Casp

 

[Caspien]

So, parts difference between the kit and the regular skid plate are as follows:

1x 68353836AB
1x 68353837AB
4x 6104414AA
4x 6511076AA
6x 6512587AA

Time to order those parts before doing anything that may require the skid to fully support the weight, I suppose

Thanks for the heads up, Spooled.



~Casp

 

[Spooled]

Here are the instructions for the steel skid plate kit that is needed for vehicles that originally came with the plastic skid plate. It should give you an idea of what is needed and how it goes together.

 

[bleda2002]

2021 installed just fine.

Wife and I installed it, the skid, a winch plate, and an EVO 12S in the driveway.. took about 3 hours due to the fact I'm an idiot.

Note: The steel skid plate has front and rear mounting holes. However, the rear mounting holes have nothing to attach it to.. it LOOKS like it should line up with the holes that the original skid connected to, but there is too much clearance for that.. I found with that for about 30 mins, trying to figure out how the hole could line up... only to finally get mad, and look up some install videos.. and universally, if you have the steel bumper, the skid attaches to the bumper only, apparently.

I'd still like to see a spacer or adapter in there to make it line up.. but if it's good enough for everyone else... right?

The steel skid brackets sandwich between the lower L/wings that hold the carriage bolts for the winch plate. You can just remove the bolts from one wing then loosen the carriage bolts and shove it in to place as I did it yesterday. Becareful torquing the bracket bolts. I sheered one at 50 ftlbs.

 

[Phishs]

I have seen several people on here that reused their steel skid plate that came with the Rubicon plastic bumper. You have to cut 2 notches out and it doesn't screw into the steel bumper but still works as a skid.

 

[DocMike]

I used these on my swap. Worth every penny.

Here is a link to some bracket adapters I bought to install 4 bolt to two bolt fog lights for the steel bumper.

https://maximus-3.com/jl-bumper-accessories-/jl-fog-light-adapter-bracket

 

[Caspien]

The steel skid brackets sandwich between the lower L/wings that hold the carriage bolts for the winch plate. You can just remove the bolts from one wing then loosen the carriage bolts and shove it in to place as I did it yesterday. Becareful torquing the bracket bolts. I sheered one at 50 ftlbs.

Meh... for as easy as the skid is to install, honestly, I'll just take it off and put the extra brackets on before putting it back.. but yeah, tourquing it too much, in my case, shouldn't be a huge deal, since I'm using a cordless ratchet that tops out at 48lbs, supposedly, with locktite on the bolts to make it a little less likely to rattle free afterwards. (Blue... not red... I don't want to deal with that hell, ever again... lol)


EDIT: Holy crap.. I just looked at that sheet that Spooled posted... they're supposed to be torqued to 26lbs only?? HTF?!?


~ Casp

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