So my little Cherokee was sitting in the sun the other day, minding her own business, and someone (I assume a delivery driver) decided to cruelly assault her with their vehicle.


The damage is minor (light is already fixed) but the front bumper is bent in a fair amount and I can't unbend it with the tools I have. My question is this: would people recommend I try and unbend it myself using a rope and a sturdy tree (redneck method?), or just bite the bullet and replace it from a junkyard?

 

My rear bumper was bent similar to yours, probably worse, when I got my Jeep and I was able to get it good enough with an anvil and hammer, heat helps too. It'll obviously need a fresh paint job afterward. You could try a rope and tree for yours but I'd be really careful to not mess up the mounting brackets. Also, you're gonna have to remove the end cap which I never had luck with when I painted my front bumper so I ended up just masking them off.

 

Do not use a rope and tree. You stand a good chance of bending something more serious. If you tackle it yourself, do it OFF the vehicle.

 

Okay, one way I've seen it done was to put a come-along on the bumper and attached to the inside of a concrete block door frame with a large block of wood between the bumper and the wall to keep the vehicle in place. Then gently pull the bumper end out. It worked with a Chevy truck because the mounting bolts were so rusted they'd have to be torched to get them off.

 

This sounds like a safer option if an on-vehicle repair is needed. Right now, though, I'm probably going to take it off and try and salvage it - a new front bumper is only $30 or so anyway from what I've seen.

 

Been fighting a similar situation. I had to pull out a little bit of the bent front cross support. I opted to replace the bumper. I saved the original and will probably get to fixing it at some point. I imagine you could probably use a come-a-long on the outer corner, if you go REAL carefully.

Nice to see another NJ resident. People drive crazy here.

 

Yes, yes they do!

 

Ever been to Boston?

 

Once but I was a lot younger and wasn't driving at the time; but I've been told about the "fun" of driving in that city.

 

yes when all is said and done.... we are left with have to deal with this carnage that is the result of careless other people. I didn't get the bumper bent hardly at all on mine..but similar issue. and it broke the rear end cap... fortunately my jeep sits high enough that it barely did damage...
Now I'm a God fearing Christian man...and fairly calm for most things in life... I completely understand that sometimes accidents happen. None of us are perfect....but when someone like that knows they did it... just be honest, leave a note or something.... own it like a decent man or woman...not like a coward.

 

A little off topic here but I've been hit twice. Both times other drivers stated at fault in the police report, however one of them was uninsured and the other left the scene and I still don't have his insurance info despite getting his plate and the police knowing where he lives. Luckily I wasn't in the Jeep either time, but I've since purchased a front and rear dashcam for the Jeep. I've put too much time, effort, and money into it to have it totaled or even damaged by some coward who can't accept responsibility.

 

I've always thought someone should of made a thicker steel stock looking replacement bumper. Would be a good option for you guys in NJ 😅

 

I've actually been toying with the idea of making a tube bumper and then attaching the stock bumper over it. I like the stock look, but I wouldn't trust it in an accident.

 

I have been surprised to find salvage yard front bumpers in reasonably good condition, even in areas where salt is used in the winter. They are relatively easy to remove. For the cost of a new or salvage bumper I think you will be much happier with that approach.

 

Agreed. Besides, it provides an opportunity to see what's under there.