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FMF Stubby Front Bumper and Smittybilt XRC 9.5 Winch |
4-19-16 |
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Today
I removed the big plastic canoe that Jeep calls a front bumper and
installed a Full Metal Fab Stubby front bumper. Like most things
though, you had to do some prep work before bolting the bumper on.
Seems you have to do some of these things for just about any
aftermarket bumper you buy, especially ones that have a recessed winch
mount. I bought the bumper bare metal, I like to just spray pain most my parts, that way I can easily touch them up if they get scratched. The bumper is VERY well made, well designed, and welds that are like artwork. |
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First
you have to relocate the vaccum canister from behind the bumper to
under the hood. I have no idea why Jeep puts this thing behind the
bumper, cooling maybe? I purchased the relocation bracket from FMF
also, so it wasnt too bad to do. You just have to cut the factory plug
wire off and extend the wiring. The vaccum hoses run up under the hood
already, so you just shorten them and reconnect them to the canister. |
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I purchsed the optional lower skid for this bumper that bolts under it
and to the bottom of the stock crossmember. You will need to trim some
metal off the ends that hangs down below the crossmember. This lets the
optional lower bumper skid sit flush under the crossmember. |
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Install your facotry lights in the bumper before you install it. You
can install the winch with the bumper already installed, which is nice.
The hardest part is bolting on the optional lower skid, its a bitch
getting your hands in there to get the bolts in, especially if you have
a Rubicon with the electronic swaybar. I really like how it all turned out. The bumper seems very well made and plenty strong, yet only weighs 53 lbs, plus an additional 17 lbs for the lower skid. Which isnt too bad for an all steel bumper. |
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