Yeah smittybilt had to get that bolt situation figured out for their products. I got their nerfbars side steps for my jk and had to make a trip to the store to get the right ones. Anyway, looking good. Can't wait to see what tire/wheel combo is coming for this.
Great videos! I have watched a bunch! Your tips on ignition actuator replacement was really helpful. On this project, it has been a couple years for you, but I have a couple of questions on mounting. I know you replaced with new bolts, but the bottom bolts were factory bolts threaded into the frame? No drill on those or the outer bolts up top? I had to buy a local used tube bumper with tire carrier and it has no extra hardware. Mounting brackets are identical. I just wasn't sure what was there on the bottom, since I haven't gotten into working on install yet. Thanks!
The inner bolts are a bear to get to. I had to drop the tank. Before you open the back gate take out the grease fitting. You will break it off. I installed this last week on my 2003 TJ
A J Ale McFury the rockhard4x4.com jerry can mounts and cooler rack work well with it , you can buy a hi lift bracket and drill it to the bottom part of the swing gate
I installed the same bumper but I get a lot of rattling all the time.... the bumper did come with a small black rubber... I didn’t see if you installed it...
Thanks for your good word about your Smittybilt mistake. I'm on the market for rear bumper and tire carrier, but from most of them end up developing rattles. The ARB rear bumper and tire carrier that I might end up getting, or the Exogate HD tailgate kit with some aftermarket bumper. I thought Smittybilt was good, but lots of bad reviews about rattles and vibrations, and the Chinese powder coat chipping off.
Dude, Smittybilt is notorious for the bolt issue. I installed this exact same bumper about 4 months ago and i also had to go to the hardware store to get some correct size quality bolts to use. SMH
Smittybilt very seldom do you hear anybody install them that don't have a problem with the bolts or holes that are in the wrong place their quality control is a little lacking
Ouch. Design Flaw. I wonder if you could install a door check (either a strap or the ones with the rod like a normal car door) to catch it before it reaches that point. Would also be nice for any time you're stopped on a hill and need to open the tailgate.
I have not found any accessories either. The top vertical tube seems intended to mount accessories and has no other purpose as far as I can tell. It seems that Smittybuilt is missing a lot of potential sales.
A J Ale McFury the rockhard4x4.com jerry can mounts and cooler rack work well with it , you can buy a hi lift bracket and drill it to the bottom part of the swing gate
I am worried that you constantly do work in flip flops, not only because of the danger you run, but because they do not allow you to keep your feet firmly still when you have to do supported work. On the other hand, I do not think it's a good example for your son.
Yooooo OCMD Local here since 91'
Oh my gosh. I have the exact same set up so far. '04 TJ with a black bestop trektop NX. Same bumper.
Nice job CJ.
Yeah smittybilt had to get that bolt situation figured out for their products. I got their nerfbars side steps for my jk and had to make a trip to the store to get the right ones. Anyway, looking good. Can't wait to see what tire/wheel combo is coming for this.
When you do tires look into bfg, I have km2 love em the all terrains are great also, espescially if it does a lot of highway
Great videos! I have watched a bunch!
Your tips on ignition actuator replacement was really helpful.
On this project, it has been a couple years for you, but I have a couple of questions on mounting.
I know you replaced with new bolts, but the bottom bolts were factory bolts threaded into the frame? No drill on those or the outer bolts up top? I had to buy a local used tube bumper with tire carrier and it has no extra hardware. Mounting brackets are identical. I just wasn't sure what was there on the bottom, since I haven't gotten into working on install yet.
Thanks!
The inner bolts are a bear to get to. I had to drop the tank. Before you open the back gate take out the grease fitting. You will break it off.
I installed this last week on my 2003 TJ
ive been trying to find anything on line. are there any accessories for this bumper? im trying to find attachments for jerry cans and a hi lift mount
A J Ale McFury the rockhard4x4.com jerry can mounts and cooler rack work well with it , you can buy a hi lift bracket and drill it to the bottom part of the swing gate
I installed the same bumper but I get a lot of rattling all the time.... the bumper did come with a small black rubber... I didn’t see if you installed it...
Thanks for your good word about your Smittybilt mistake. I'm on the market for rear bumper and tire carrier, but from most of them end up developing rattles. The ARB rear bumper and tire carrier that I might end up getting, or the Exogate HD tailgate kit with some aftermarket bumper. I thought Smittybilt was good, but lots of bad reviews about rattles and vibrations, and the Chinese powder coat chipping off.
So how did you get to the inner bolts? Especially driver side?
for real
I'm having the same problem.
Could you please do a review on your bestop trek top nx fo the jku?
Dude, Smittybilt is notorious for the bolt issue. I installed this exact same bumper about 4 months ago and i also had to go to the hardware store to get some correct size quality bolts to use. SMH
ive been trying to find anything on line. are there any accessories for this bumper? im trying to find attachments for jerry cans and a hi lift mount
for how much i can buy the bumper with the tire carrier? and does both comes togeather?
After a few months with it how do you like it?
Did the silver D-ring shackles come with the bumper, or did you have to buy those separate?
Kinda forgot to clean up the surface rust.
Smittybilt very seldom do you hear anybody install them that don't have a problem with the bolts or holes that are in the wrong place their quality control is a little lacking
When you fully open the tailgate does it interfere with the grease fitting
sean k yes it does block the tailgate from opening all the way.
Ouch. Design Flaw. I wonder if you could install a door check (either a strap or the ones with the rod like a normal car door) to catch it before it reaches that point. Would also be nice for any time you're stopped on a hill and need to open the tailgate.
How’s the bumper so far , would you recommend it ?
ive been trying to find anything on line. are there any accessories for this bumper? im trying to find attachments for jerry cans and a hi lift mount
I have not found any accessories either. The top vertical tube seems intended to mount accessories and has no other purpose as far as I can tell. It seems that Smittybuilt is missing a lot of potential sales.
A J Ale McFury the rockhard4x4.com jerry can mounts and cooler rack work well with it , you can buy a hi lift bracket and drill it to the bottom part of the swing gate
I am worried that you constantly do work in flip flops, not only because of the danger you run, but because they do not allow you to keep your feet firmly still when you have to do supported work.
On the other hand, I do not think it's a good example for your son.