Aftermarket Rock Bumper proper bracing

[90Xjay]

I wonder for the ones who have installed an aftermarket rear bumper and or tire carrier combo, what the manufactuer did to address securing the bumper to the original mounting points on the subframe that the factory tow bar mounts to?

The factory XJ bumpers are not meant for any pulling they only mount to the rear panel with two bumperettes 4 bolts each, but do not mount into the unibody frame rail. Only a factory style tow bar mounts to the unibody frame with 4 massive fine thread bolts to allow for a solid pull point.

When I built my home made rear bumper and tire carrier, I had to address this with some extra brackets that welded to the bumper and bolted into the unibody frame using the existing bolt holes.

I have just been curious if these aftermarket guys paid attention to that and if so how they addressed it.

 

[Junkpile]

If you check out the link that twistedcopper posted in CJ/YJ/TJ forum, they show some optional tie-in plates for both the front and rear.

It's in the thread about bumpers for a CJ.

 

[TwistedCU]

Yeah JCR offroad. I really don't see how they can consider them optional though... I guess some folks just want the look more so than the function.

Tying XJ bumpers to the frame is a must if they are to be used as recovery points. I saw a thread on NAXJA of ripped off bumpers... it wasn't pretty and not a good thing to have happen to a unibody vehicle !

 

[90Xjay]

TC wrote:

Tying XJ bumpers to the frame is a must if they are to be used as recovery points. I saw a thread on NAXJA of ripped off bumpers... it wasn't pretty and not a good thing to have happen to a unibody vehicle !

I know, the factory bumper mounts just hold it up into position to look pretty. I can't imagine someone taking an aftermarket or home made bumper and pulling a trailer or trying to snatch someone out. Baaad

Can you show me the link to that thread, I would love to read about that??

 

[prariepunk]

RE: Thinking of Buying another 4x4

Mine are 1/4 in. steel bumpers...... I've hit alot and nothing hurts the jeep (thanks for reminding me, I need shoulder belts :lol: )

 

[Junkpile]

My buddy bent the frame on his CJ8 when he ran into the back of a guys pickup truck. It wasn't a bad wreck, he just hit it at an angle. The frame bent because the .375" wall bumper didn't.

I noticed that bumper weakness problem on the XJ that I just got. I used the TJ to push it around the parking lot. Bent the back bumper in, then turned around and bent the whole front bumper down when I was trying to push it backwards. Didn't even scratch the 3/16" thick stubby on my TJ.