Factory Steel Bumper close out panels

[Artsifrtsi]

Maximus 3 has been selling these for years... IIRC Maximus makes or designed the MOPAR steel bumpers...

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[cranbiz]

I thought it was AEV who made the steel bumper originally.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I thought it was AEV who made the steel bumper originally.

They made the one that did not have removable ends…

 

[WerkHaus912]

I came across these just recently and I really have no complaints after my install. They're not perfect but they do their job to keep out debris and mud. I did have to make small adjustments by bending the plate away from the light connector on the inside. The adjustment was very minimal and only enough to eliminate any contact of the plate against the rear of the connector but without compromising any seal on the edges. Due to the bend, I created a small gap at the top but my OCD meter doesn't ping hard enough for me to go back and bend that edge in.

The weather seal itself isn't the greatest to work with as you have to follow the shape of the outer edge and the glue strip on the seal itself could be better. However, that's an easy fix by applying a bead of silicone or permatex to the underside of the seal for better adhesiveness.

I live in Georgia and during deer season you'll find me in the woods a lot and if your familiar, you know that the mud and clay can be unforgiving and a pain in @ss to clean out.

I think Utah Design did great with this design considering what they're meant for. I didn't buy them for aesthetics because they're on the backside of the front bumper and unless you're looking for them, no one would notice that they're installed. If aesthetic is your aim, then you might miss the mark but I don't see why. The plate itself is a powder coated metal rather than plastic and looks like it was designed with durability in mind.

https://www.utahdesignfoundry.com/products/jl-steel-bumper-closeout-panel

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'd be very curious, after a year, if you pull those off, what's up inside the bumper...........
As a long-time fixer and restorer of cars, I'd be interested in seeing what's between the plate and bumper after 12-18 months.

 

[WerkHaus912]

I'd be very curious, after a year, if you pull those off, what's up inside the bumper...........
As a long-time fixer and restorer of cars, I'd be interested in seeing what's between the plate and bumper after 12-18 months.

Being that it’s 2 bolts, I can see myself easily taking it off and checking often it to see if there’s any buildup. I know all too well what can happen when road debris grime and debris pile up in small corners of metal.
The good thing it’s not completely closed off and because and there’s room for debris and water to run out which helps.

 

[Dp7]

I'd be very curious, after a year, if you pull those off, what's up inside the bumper...........
As a long-time fixer and restorer of cars, I'd be interested in seeing what's between the plate and bumper after 12-18 months.

I swear to god, every time I open anything up there's at least two dead bees inside of it. Those mfers get into everything. I JUST opened up my plastic bumper to transplant the black tow hooks into my knockoff steel bumper and I've had the thing for, like.. less than two weeks and it was full of dead bees.

 

[IPRoutes]

Those 16 bolts to remove the end caps are a pain to put them back. Specially the interior and bottom ones.

 

[Gvsukids]

Those 16 bolts to remove the end caps are a pain to put them back. Specially the interior and bottom ones.

Why put them back on?

 

[IPRoutes]

Why put them back on?

Looks better with the bolts in place.

 

[DadJokes]

If anyone wants to give it a shot at making your own, here’s what I came up with. It’s pretty easy and should give you a head start to speed things up.

 

[verde]

So you can’t use the Utah close plates with the end pieces installed?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So you can’t use the Utah close plates with the end pieces installed?

Correct. Frankly, I've decided they'd trap more salt and sand that can't easily be washed out so stopped trying to figure out how to tuse them.

Why put them back on?

Open holes otherwise. The bolts make it look more finished

 

[verde]

I talked to the Utah design guy. He said they will work with the ends left on. He changed the description on their website. I'm going to give them a try. I already had a set on order and was going to cancel, but he said it will work.

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