eBay aluminum bumper?

[GladLad]

@GladLad The instruction that are included with the bumper show placing the winch plate on then installing the bumper. After that you install the winch as the bolts that support the bumper and the factory tow hooks are also used to secure the winch plate.

I just finished the install and here is what it looks like with the yankum fairlead. I also had to trim the winch engagement lever as it hit the light bar. If you don’t want that then it fits fine.

Looking good!

Thanks for the update and clarification. Similar install, but doesn't seem to have a marred up finish like the MP Concepts. Many say the MP marks up just from basic handling and shipping.

So under-winch spacers aren't needed (for Badlands) if skipping the bar, and also unhelpful if adding the bar. Good to know.

I like that fairlead style, you're saving even more weight now.

Thanks again, enjoy!

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[raypla]

I took the ends off, I like it. The fogs are Diode Dynamics Elite series amber, they’re good.

 

[GladLad]

@raypla She's a beaut, Clark!

Clean, very oem. In the side view, the fog light bezel is missing the two end bolts. Did they not provide them?

 

[raypla]

@raypla She's a beaut, Clark!

Clean, very oem. In the side view, the fog light bezel is missing the two end bolts. Did they not provide them?

They supplied many different pieces but I couldn’t find anything to go in them, I need to look again. The plastic piece doesn’t align perfect so the size is smaller, I’m going to get some push pin to go in there or maybe smaller torx head bolts.

 

[bkeast17]

@GladLad The instruction that are included with the bumper show placing the winch plate on then installing the bumper. After that you install the winch as the bolts that support the bumper and the factory tow hooks are also used to secure the winch plate.

I just finished the install and here is what it looks like with the yankum fairlead. I also had to trim the winch engagement lever as it hit the light bar. If you don’t want that then it fits fine.

How was the paint finish quality? Did you give it any extra coating of Rustoleum like others did with the steel ebay version? I just ordered the aluminum one so wanting to get prepared

 

[GladLad]

How was the paint finish quality? Did you give it any extra coating of Rustoleum like others did with the steel ebay version? I just ordered the aluminum one so wanting to get prepared

I ordered one too, but haven't told my saga yet until I get it all buttoned up. The paint seemed overall fine to me, but I hit some edges where I could see metal on interior parts. Unlike the MP Concepts one, which apparently has such a bad coat that lightly dragging a finger nail leaves a mark, this one seemed good enough to leave alone for now. We'll see, but I will fluid film the interior steel..

So you're not surprised as I was, I will say that if you're adding a winch, check its fit once the winch plate is on. At least 3 people have used this exact bumper, winch plate, and Badlands Apex winch without fitment issue. But my same combo won't fit as pushing the winch all the way back hits the grille before the holes line up. That's with the winch cable routed out the side, it's the winch control box hitting my grille. Somehow I got shorter frame horns than everyone else?

If you're swapping out the tow hooks to retain the oem ones like I did, you can use their tow hooks to bolt it all up temporarily before putting the bumper on if you want a tight test fit.

I've got several options to fix my issue, but will be trying a 1/4" spacer first. It will leave my oem tow hook top bolts a wee short on full threads. And may require drilling out the Rubicon skid plate holes to stay aligned after the spacer. I bought a fake rubi skid to replace the Mojave skid so I wouldn't have to trim the bumper or skid.

I'll also mention, at least for mine, part of the internal structure bent a little as it tightened into the winch plate. Minor issue, but I still consider it something that is fighting a full tight down. When I add spacers, I may angle grinder those bits away. It's on both sides, so it's not a centering issue.

I'll detail my process and experience after complete, as for now I'm just riding with the bumper/skid installed and no winch. Happy to answer questions in the meantime if there are issues, but it seems like I'm the only unlucky one so far.

 

[bkeast17]

I ordered one too, but haven't told my saga yet until I get it all buttoned up. The paint seemed overall fine to me, but I hit some edges where I could see metal on interior parts. Unlike the MP Concepts one, which apparently has such a bad coat that lightly dragging a finger nail leaves a mark, this one seemed good enough to leave alone for now. We'll see, but I will fluid film the interior steel..

So you're not surprised as I was, I will say that if you're adding a winch, check its fit once the winch plate is on. At least 3 people have used this exact bumper, winch plate, and Badlands Apex winch without fitment issue. But my same combo won't fit as pushing the winch all the way back hits the grille before the holes line up. That's with the winch cable routed out the side, it's the winch control box hitting my grille. Somehow I got shorter frame horns than everyone else?

If you're swapping out the tow hooks to retain the oem ones like I did, you can use their tow hooks to bolt it all up temporarily before putting the bumper on if you want a tight test fit.

I've got several options to fix my issue, but will be trying a 1/4" spacer first. It will leave my oem tow hook top bolts a wee short on full threads. And may require drilling out the Rubicon skid plate holes to stay aligned after the spacer. I bought a fake rubi skid to replace the Mojave skid so I wouldn't have to trim the bumper or skid.

I'll also mention, at least for mine, part of the internal structure bent a little as it tightened into the winch plate. Minor issue, but I still consider it something that is fighting a full tight down. When I add spacers, I may angle grinder those bits away. It's on both sides, so it's not a centering issue.

I'll detail my process and experience after complete, as for now I'm just riding with the bumper/skid installed and no winch. Happy to answer questions in the meantime if there are issues, but it seems like I'm the only unlucky one so far.

Nice, thank you. I won't be installing a winch so hopefully no issues there. I am debating of keeping the red tow hooks or swapping my Mojave ones. I have a red jeep so I am not a fan overall of the orange and red theme.

 

[GladLad]

Nice, thank you. I won't be installing a winch so hopefully no issues there. I am debating of keeping the red tow hooks or swapping my Mojave ones. I have a red jeep so I am not a fan overall of the orange and red theme.

Then there won't be a similar problem. No winch means no winch plate, which means no spacing or bending issues.

You may need to trim the bumper and/or Mojave skid plate to have them fit. Or get a rubi skid (the one that goes with the metal bumper).

As for the hooks, I like orange and use them for recovery. While the included ones are slightly thicker, I don't trust them over oem. They appear to be cast considering one of mine has a flaw. Cast steel is not as strong as forged.

If I did trust them, they would be a solution to my problem as I could replace the bolts with longer ones and use any size spacer without any reduced threads concern. Oem hooks have integrated bolts that can't be hand removed.

 

[raypla]

Found some hardware that was included, some nice torx screws. Picked up a HF apex 12k on sale for 390+tax so that might become a thing, not sure I’d use it much though.

 

[GladLad]

Found some hardware that was included, some nice torx screws. Picked up a HF apex 12k on sale for 390+tax so that might become a thing, not sure I’d use it much though.

Let us know how it goes. If it's a success, you'll be at least the 4th with the exact same combo fitting.

If you've already got the winch plate in, you could size it up. But I could also tell you that my rear most winch holes are 3/8" forward of the most forward point of the grille at the bottom (measured with a square on the winch plate, pushed up to the grille, and another square to the holes).

I reckon I need at least another 3/16" to get winch holes lined up, and that would likely have the winch still touching the grille. So you'll want at least about 5/8" from grille to winch plate holes. Less and you're on your way to having my same issue.

If you can lay the winch in while the bumper is installed you likely have enough room, as others could do that. I'm unable to do that. It requires taking the bumper off, or taking the grille off.

 

[GladLad]

@raypla and @bkeast17 or anyone with access to these bumper parts soon.

Since you'll be installing the bumper or winch soon, could you do me a huge favor?

I'd really like to know why this combo doesn't fit for me like it has others, and you're in a rare position to possibly help measure those reasons. I'd just need the measurement numbers, since pics could be off on alignment.

1. Although I already measured digitally from photos, could you measure the distance from the back of the winch plate to the first hole? If you could measure this one before you get to your install date I'd greatly appreciate it as I could request a new one if defective (if they could separate and send me one). Mine is 1 and 5/16".

2. Measure the front frame horn bracket to the start of the hole on top of the frame, as seen in green. I'll measure again once bumper is off but mine is 5.25".

3. Measure from the front of your grille (if pre '24) to the start of same hole. Mine is 3/4".

Since it's a simple sandwich of metal I don't see how mine wouldn't fit like others. Unless the winch holes are placed wrong, my frame horns are shorter, or my grille/body more forward. Even though I've got several solution options, I want to know why.

These measurements of course assume these "reference points" are identical across Jeeps, but if my frame/body are different then of course these marks could be adjusted accordingly too. If the same then other references would be needed to find the culprit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GladLad]

@raypla and @bkeast17 ,
I don't know when you plan to install, but I did possibly get some measurements for #2 and 3 above from other Jeeps. So far mine doesn't differ grossly. If you could measure when all apart I'd still appreciate the accuracy though.

However, I still don't have anyone that could measure #1 for me. It would not require installing if you already have the shipment though and could measure for me? Greatly appreciated here as I've got options to make it work. All with compromises, so knowing the reason is helpful before I go a destructive route.

For mine not to fit like others it has to be frame length, grille forward, or winch plate holes (or revised winch plate overall). One would expect it's misplaced winch holes. Oddly, if it were just the holes, that wouldn't explain how @smlobx could drop his winch in after install, while I can't.

However, besides those three reasons separately, it could be the subtle differences in how they combine at different points. I had previously measured my winch holes start 3/8" forward of the center of the grille. I've now measured more accurately to account for the curve and side to side differences.

The below are all measured with a square pressed to the grille, about 1/4" inward from the holes to represent where the winch first touches the grille. And then I measured from back of the square to the hole. Note, these are with a 1/4" spacer pushing the winch plate further forward, so yours would be 1/4" less assuming all should be near identical.

The setup:

The measurements:

After looking at the grille more and noticing asymmetry, I did re-measure #3 more accurately. It explains side to side differences in aligning holes, but has no real bearing on why it can't fit without spacers overall.

Thank you!

 

[bkeast17]

@raypla and @bkeast17 ,
I don't know when you plan to install, but I did possibly get some measurements for #2 and 3 above from other Jeeps. So far mine doesn't differ grossly. If you could measure when all apart I'd still appreciate the accuracy though.

However, I still don't have anyone that could measure #1 for me. It would not require installing if you already have the shipment though and could measure for me? Greatly appreciated here as I've got options to make it work. All with compromises, so knowing the reason is helpful before I go a destructive route.

For mine not to fit like others it has to be frame length, grille forward, or winch plate holes (or revised winch plate overall). One would expect it's misplaced winch holes. Oddly, if it were just the holes, that wouldn't explain how @smlobx could drop his winch in after install, while I can't.

However, besides those three reasons separately, it could be the subtle differences in how they combine at different points. I had previously measured my winch holes start 3/8" forward of the center of the grille. I've now measured more accurately to account for the curve and side to side differences.

The below are all measured with a square pressed to the grille, about 1/4" inward from the holes to represent where the winch first touches the grille. And then I measured from back of the square to the hole. Note, these are with a 1/4" spacer pushing the winch plate further forward, so yours would be 1/4" less assuming all should be near identical.

The setup:

The measurements:

After looking at the grille more and noticing asymmetry, I did re-measure #3 more accurately. It explains side to side differences in aligning holes, but has no real bearing on why it can't fit without spacers overall.

Thank you!

Sorry for the delay... I did get this installed over the weekend. I did not use the winch plate so not much help to you. I swapped in the Mojave tow hooks too. The bumper did hit the Mojave skid plate brackets a little so we removed those and I ordered a Rubicon skid as I didn't feel like cutting anything. I think if I had installed the winch plate that extra 1/4" or whatever it is may have pushed the bumper out enough to clear the Mojave skid brackets, or like mentioned above use some of the spacers linked. The fog light wiring harness was a bit long so I added some zip ties inside the bumper to contain that.

Also installed some aftermarket XR style fender flares.

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