djlarroc

If you didn't get the tie-ins, get them. They will make all the difference if you ever have to get yanked out. The unibody frame is too thin to rely on.

I had JCR and they are nice bumpers!

Steering brace is well worth it too.

rebeltruce

Well I got the rear bumper on this weekend...ran into several issues along the way. I guess I should have expected this given that the bumper is made to generically fit all Cherokees.

There are four problems that I am not happy about.

I'm not going to be able to use the Hi-Lift mountings on the tire carrier, the cap that goes on top of the tire carrier spindle will not thread on completely (after closer inspection it appears that the spindle was damaged either from JCR or in shipping) there is a slight flat side that really isn't noticeable, but it is enough to stop the cap from threading on all the way, third I assumed that "License Plate Relocator" meant that there was parts included to move the plate and the plate light. What "License Plate Relocator" actually means is two self tapping screws on the bumper.

I moved the light myself, but in the process scratched the Jeep and ended up with a bit of an off kilter plate light. Hoping I can make a little cover for the light with left over parts.

I also had to remove the trim above the license plate in order to get the tire carrier to close and lock properly.

The problem with the Hi-Lift brackets (besides not having any type of hardware to mount the jack included with the bumpers) is that the tire carrier sits to close to the hatch, the Hi-Lift would not clear the rear wiper. No way to adjust the bumper without major surgery, and even then I am not so sure it would work out.

All in all I'm OK with the bumpers, just a little disappointed in the fitment. The rear side molding required cutting to fit the bumper, no big deal this was made clear in the instructions, however after cutting them the bumper doesn't really follow the contour of the molding.

I'll attach a few pictures, of the end results. I wish I could give a great review of the process and the bumpers but I'm just not feeling all that great...don't misunderstand me the bumper is very well made, just a little to generic fitment wise. I'll bet if I had an older Cherokee things would have been much better.

Anyway here are pictures of the rear bumper I'll be doing the front next weekend.

texengland

Did you try and take a small file to clean up the threads? Ive fixed many thread issues with that and a little patience.

rebeltruce

I had a machinist friend bring me a thread file in to work today am going to try and fix it, but it is the flat spot causing the problem not the threads...

I also have a huge adjustable wrench here at work going to try and crank down on it to get it passt the flat spot.....

rebeltruce

Well the spindle cap was no match for the big adjustable wrench....took my time and used some WD40 to lube it up and it went on all the way.

Resolved the Hi-Lift jack issue by welding up two spacers that I placed between the front of the mounting tabs and the tire. Then it was a matter of buying some grade 8 bolts and some big washers, and drilling the holes in the tabs a bit bigger to fit the bolts. Got it to clear the rear wiper, and am able to get the tire on the carrier without to much of a problem.

I also broke down and ordered the JCR lower 1/4 panel armor to get rid of the molding that needed to be cut to fit the bumper. Waiting on them to be fab'd and delivered.

Next it is the front bumper, probably next weekend. My buddy/helper is busy this weekend, so I'll do a differential service and put on my new Riddler Diff covers this weekend.

rebeltruce

Bumpers are on....the front was much easier then the rear.

Will take a few pictures and post them for anyone who's interested.

The best news is that I finally was able to fix the Vacume issue when I relocated the bladder...now my heat/AC is working properly and I have cruise control again.

I decided to buy the JCR lower rear 1/4 panels as well....I have to paint them and get them on the Jeep maybe this weekend.