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XJ Cherokee bumper mod


theexbrit
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  • 8 months later...

Not sure if this should be in the "How To" section, but here is a brief write up of my XJ Cherokee bumper mod.....

 

First remove the stock bumper (pretty easy, just remember to unplug the indicators, lights, etc, first).......

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Now, before you attempt to install you must cut the end off the XJ brackets where I have the red line marked (they are much too long & the bolt holes don't line up), also cut the top of the end pieces (again, where I have marked with a red line) so that you can bend them out to about 20 degrees, then fill the v notch with weld or some such & grind to a smooth finish.

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Next, bolt in the winch tray......

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Then bolt on the previously cut brackets (note; the ones in the photo are NOT cut, but the cut should be about in the middle of the upper "U" notch you can see on the bracket).....

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& slide the bumper onto the stock mounting bolts using the slot in the stock bracket that you have bolted to the XJ bracket.

 

Drill a hole through the open hole in the stock bracket & through the frame behind it for an extra bolt to fit, for a stronger mounting of the bumper.......

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The brackets should look like this when you're done bolting......

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If you want even more strength you can drill more bolt holes or weld as you see fit. Also, if you're mounting the light bar, etc, as I did then mount this (& the winch) BEFORE you mount the bumper on the truck, as it is a pita once you have the bumper mounted.

 

Anyway, once mounted it should look something like this.......

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If you have to have a front license plate (as we do here in California) then you can just use velcro or some quick release system to hold it on until you hit the dirt......

2013-10-19155647_zps8bbf4288.jpg

 

I relocated my indicators into the side/marker lights by cutting a hole in the plastic housing & mounting the bulb & holder in there. It actually looks pretty good having the side light & indicator in the same lens when they're lit up.

 

So there you go, sorry it was a very brief write up but a buddy did the majority of the work for me (he has a fabrication shop) I didn't get a chance to take more detailed photos.

 

If you have any questions, message me or post 'em here. :itsallgood::aok:

 

I tried this tonight on my face lifted R50 and those stock brackets are extremely thin. I cannot believe you used those. Have you winched with this setup without tearing the bumper off?

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  • 5 months later...

I have the same question about the bumper's bolting location.

I'm not clear on what brackets you bolted this to?

The only location that seems acceptable for 8000+lbs of winching load would be the factory tow-hook mounting locations.

 

I'm curious if that's the location you are describing or not?

 

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How has utilizing the factory mount plates held up after almost 2yrs? I'm thinking this might work fine for me because I plan to use a non-winch mount XJ bumper. I'm thinking of fabbing up a 2" front receiver, utilizing a combination of where the bumper mounts and the tow hooks, and have it sit just below the center of the bumper (may also try to incorporate a skidplate of sorts from the bottom of the bumper to the lower rad support). I like the versatility of a cradle mounted winch, for front or rear use.

Edited by 01Pathmaker
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How has utilizing the factory mount plates held up after almost 2yrs? I'm thinking this might work fine for me because I plan to use a non-winch mount XJ bumper. I'm thinking of fabbing up a 2" front receiver, utilizing a combination of where the bumper mounts and the tow hooks, and have it sit just below the center of the bumper (may also try to incorporate a skidplate of sorts from the bottom of the bumper to the lower rad support). I like the versatility of a cradle mounted winch, for front or rear use.

 

Your plan sounds great. Without a winch, that mounting point would not be a problem.

And if you tie your 2" receiver in to the tow hook points it will be strong.

 

I don't know if theexbrit is still hanging around these forums? I hope he checks in soon and gives us his thoughts.

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When I had mine initially mounted, it incorporated a bracket that tied into the tow hooks. One day I leaned on it and noticed it wiggled a bit. The front mounting by itself is not strong enough. At this point I had never winched the pathy yet, only used it to winch my tractor. (Still fairly new at that point). Immediately I revisited the design and the only bullet proof way of mounting this bumper is by welding it onto the unibody "frame".

I've since winched a hydro seed trailer out of a ditch, my dock out of the water and over a river bank, and my law tractor yet again...apparently I need to stop trying to off-lawn with it :)

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Sent from my iPhone using Crapatalk

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And instead of relocating the windshield washer fluid, I decided to protect it instead, seen here:

815e5b5f-e0b1-4931-a372-5c960ca35cb1.jpg

That looks much cleaner I think. I have yet to find time to sketch out what's rolling around in my head, but I'm thinking of incorporating the center skidplate down to meet up with the one I have from Steve, and adding tapered "wings" from the bottom of the bumper to a location yet to be determined. It should have a cleaner look, offer a little additional protection and hide the washer bottle.
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  • 2 weeks later...

For the record, I got ahold of theexbrit. He said the bumper has held up well.

 

A couple braces were added between body and bumper to stop lateral movement, but it works great and the approach angle is much nicer with this bumper.

 

Thats what I got for ya.

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  • 1 year later...
  • 4 months later...

Stupid Photobucket has hijacked all your pictures. I don't suppose you still have them around?

 

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/photobucket-hotlink-fix/kegnjbncdcliihbemealioapbifiaedg?hl=en

 

This extension will let you see everything

Edited by micahfelker
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