BulletProof Bumper

I purchased my BulletProof (www.bulletproofmfg.com) rear bumper directly from Bulletproof via an internet order.  This was a saga to say the least.  The bumper was ordered on 10/22/03 and I was told it would be ready for me to pick up at their factory in Goleta, CA on 11/07/03.  I called on the 10th and was told it wasn't ready yet, but someone would meet me at the factory on Saturday.  I then drove to Goleta Saturday, waited 45 minutes, and nobody showed up.  If it weren't for the quality of their bumpers, I would have cancelled the order at that point.  On Monday, I was told it was ready and drove to Goleta again.  The staff were very apologetic and gave me two free Blitz gas cans for free.  Quite nice of them.  There were still a few parts missing, and they promised to ship them to me when they were ready. I finally had the bumper home, and the installation began...

This is a picture of the new Bumper (FF3ERS-REC-SHK) and Swing-Out Tire Carrier (RCT-SOC-EXJ-JC2-HLJH) prior to starting.  In the background stands my fully stocked Craftsman tool chest, just for the truck.

Jeep Cherokee with the stock rear bumper, rear flood lights, hidden Class III trailer hitch, and Warn Shackle in the outside chance I actually get stuck and can't winch out forward.

Here is the Cherokee with the stock bumper off.  It was as simple as removing four bolts which hold the bumper to the two rusty looking brackets.  The brackets then came off with no fuss allowing the rear end to be cleaned and detailed prior to installing the new bumper.

The rear of the truck all cleaned and tar-free.  I was amazed that a little Goo-gone and some elbow grease was able to remove some surface rust on the paint.  A little polishing compound removed even more.

Rear view of the installed bumper minus the L-shaped support brackets which bolt to the frame at the same points as the factory or aftermarket hitch, then attach to the underside of the bumper.

Here is a view of the underside of the bumper minus the L-shaped support brackets.  I thought the job was going to be finished soon, but not to be...

The support brackets appear to have been manufactured just a tad too long as they butt against a welded seam on the forward side of the bumper assembly.  Off comes the support bracket, a little grinding, and little black Rustoleum touch-up and voila!...

The support brackets now fit perfectly and sit flush against the frame and bumper.  Note the deformity to the Cherokee's metal flange which is pushed upward by the bracket. By the way, it wasn't a fluke that the bracket was too long, I had to grind the other side as well, but at least the bumper was finally on and torqued.

This is what the supports bracket should look like once it's finally installed.  By the way, the kit comes with the bolts for mounting the brackets to the bumper, NOT to the frame.  Fortunately, the bolts from the trailer hitch (I had previously installed) worked great.

Swing-Out Installation Page

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