Pulled the rear bumper off today. Hey, don't judge me, it's my jeep and I'll take it apart if I want. Stuck jack stands under both sides to support it as I unbolted it. Expecting some heft as the last couple of bolts are taken out. As I had all the bolts loose I was surprise at how easily the bumper could be wiggled. Sure enough, took the last bolt out and the damned bumper is nothing but a plastic shell! Whole thing probably weighed about 20 pounds! I don't think there was even any foam in there to absorb an impact. No matter, any impact on the corner and that bumper would just fold right over.
Anyway, I pulled the shiny black bumper cover (also plastic) off and put the bumper back on. Looks better IMO, and wont get as scratched up. The front bumper at least has some steel behind the plastic. Kind of stupid how the tires deposit all kinds of dirt and sand right on top of the bumper ends though. I'm kind of planning on leaving things pretty stock for my first year, but I can see how bumpers are high on the list of upgrades. I also noticed that most of the flex happens in the rear suspension. I guess that explains the front sway bar disconnect kits.
Very happy with how it deals with the trails on our property though. Damn near the perfect vehicle for that! It's a shame the front hubs don't unlock though. Seems odd.
I will be at Windrock Park the 26th to the 30th If ya feel like swinging by for a cold beer one evening let me know. Wednesday night we have check in and Saturday the typically have a wing ding of some sort for all us Jeepers. What I'm trying to say... Thursday or Friday might be the better choice. I will have a better handle on things once we get camp set and checked in with the Jeep Jamboree peeps
and on a side note... My Jeep is now to wide to fit on the car hauler. I have to remove the front tires and put a set of stock ones on. Not that that is all that hard to do... but knowing my luck, it will be raining like crazy when it come time to put the "Real" tires back on
As I was removing the front tires so I could get the Jeep on the trailer. My wife asks how much bigger trailer would cost. A dealer not to far from home has Big Tex trailers that have a 83" wide deck for $2000 bucks. My Jeep is 81". The trailer it is on is 76". She gave me that look and said if you want one go get it.... I should have had this conversation a couple of weeks ago!
Or if you learned to weld yet(?) a couple sticks of 2" angle could make some ramp over rails on your current trailer's fenders! If you come by here for a few hours I could 'splain it to ya! you know..... While we weld it up!
Just watched weather for week ahead. Drying out for a few days then rain again at the end of the week. BUT at least it will be warm rain! Upper 70's into mid 80's. +++++
Latest reports has things getting a lot dryer. If it rains Thursday it will be short term fast mover. Much better than how it looked this morning. Clear sunny and warm all but Part of Thursday!! Good news Bubba!
Well I finally got to go somewhere! Site D4 Friday into Saturday. Met up with a couple of Jeepin/Buellin buddies! Got to chew some cow and shoot some bull! Thanks Mark and Doug! Enjoyed it!
Nice pics. I'm going to a local "Jeep blessing" this weekend. Supposed to be a good time and have a couple of courses set up, one which is meant to be "safe" for a stock set up to get a feel for what they can do. I've done some two track around here, but have kept it in the back of my mind that I'm ill-equipped for self rescue at the moment. Should be fun to try some obstacles where I know help and coaching is freely available.