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Photo 1
The first step is to remove factory front bumper or in our case the cheap 3/16 plate bumper, cracks and all. This is followed up by the removal of the front crash bar and can be performed with a Sawzall or cut off wheel. We used a plasma cutter and cleaned it up with a grinder. Be sure to move the fog light wiring out of the way, you will need it later. Then trim the front frame horns on the outside of the frame rails. Make sure not to remove the outer weld, we marked the frame horn and trimmed it with the plasma cutter. This may seem like a lot of trimming but its needed to gain the clearance to fit this aggressive, stubby bumper.2 of 9
Photo 2
We then fit the bumper to check for bolt hole alignment and to mark the hole that will be used to bolt the 9/16" bolts that secure the bumper vertically through the frame. We removed the bumper and gave the frame a coat of black paint to prevent corrosion in the future. The Rigid SR 20" led light bar dropped right in to the bumpers mounting tabs and is held in place by nuts on each end. With the light installed it was time to bolt the bumper into place.3 of 9
Photo 3
We wired the Rigid SR led light bar into the factory fog light wiring, doubling up the positive and negative connections and connecting them to the supplied Rigid wiring. A quick test and we were temporarily blinded. Now onto the rear end for a face lift.4 of 9
Photo 4
The install of the rear bumper begins with the removal of the old rear bumper and trailer hitch. To clear the 6" Rigid led lights, the inner frame rails need to be trimmed 1/4“ and we gave the frame a quick paint job.5 of 9
Photo 5
There are two holes that need to be drilled into the top of the rear cross member. They are marked with indentations on the cross member and the holes are already open on the bottom side. Then increase the outer most holes on the frame (where the hitch would normally be bolted) to ½ inch.6 of 9
Photo 6
It’s now time to install the 6" Rigid SR series flood lights into the rear bumper, making sure to have the wiring pointing in towards the center of the frame. We are now ready bolt the bumper on with the supplied grade-8 hardware.7 of 9
Photo 7
With the bumper firmly bolted in place we installed the gate plate with the factory hardware, and the nylon cradle to the gate plate. We then slipped the tire carrier into the bumper after lubing the spindle. It’s a tight fit and a dead blow hammer was used to help seat the carrier frame. We tightened the nut that retains the spindle and lubed the Zerk grease fitting. The next part to go on is the turnbuckle that bolts between the tire carrier and the tailgate plate allowing the tire carrier to swing out with the tailgate. Some adjustments were made to seat the swing arm in to the nylon cradle, with the tailgate closed. The final part is to bolt on the tire sanction to the carrier with the four supplied bolts.8 of 9
Photo 8
We the bolted the 39” Krawler on to the tire carrier and adjusted the bolt at the back of the sanction so the tire contacts the swing arm. Lock in the setscrew and you’re done.9 of 9
Photo 9
Our final step on this project was to remove the taillights and wire the Rigid lights to the factory reverse lights. A quick test and - blinded again.Story and photos by Ryan Kovac of Off Road Addiction
Ace Engineering that is. When we were looking to replace our 2010 Rubicon's bumpers there seemed to be hundreds of choices. We were looking for something different, something beyond the norm, something that could really take a beating. Something we could be proud to sell our customers, something with a lifetime warranty. But no one offers bumpers with a lifetime warranty - right? Wrong! Enter Ace Engineering, a relative new comer to the Jeep scene. Hitting the trails running they released some of the most aggressively styled, 1/4-inch plate bumpers on the market.
We went with ACE's pro series front bumper with a 20-inch LED light provision and the stinger. The install was a little more involved than the average JK front bumper but not beyond the scope of the back yard technician with a few tools. At Off Road Addiction, we also do installation for anyone wanting an easy, “drop it off and pick it up when it’s done” install.
The ACE Engineering's pro series rear bumper with tire carrier and 6" led light provisions is a fantastic piece of engineering and quality. The swing out tire carrier's spindle housing is welded to the top and bottom of the bumper really tying it together, it has bronze bushings with a Zerk grease fitting for years of trouble free function. The tire carriers' ability to easily adjust for a different tire width is a nice feature and the one handed tailgate and tire carrier swing out is a godsend.
The Ace Engineering bumpers fit perfectly, look awesome and will provide years of protection. Off Road Addiction carries Ace Engineering’s full line of products; check them all out at www.aceengineeringandfab.com. Be sure to stop us on the trails and check out these products in use on our JK at the various off road events across Ontario. Our Rubicon Sports an ORFAB sport cage, Smittybilt XRC fenders, Rock Krawler 3.5” x factor long arm stretch kit and Delta head lights.