Jeep Gladiator Winch Bumper Upgrade | Inside Line
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- Опубліковано 16 лис 2020
- When I first picked up my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, I knew that the stock front bumper would eventually have to go. This was for two particularly important reasons. The first being that it did not have a spot for me to bolt up a winch. Given I frequently go off-road solo, having a winch is an incredibly important asset. The second reason was that the full-width style front bumper was a bit of a hinderance off-road. This is primarily due to so much of the bumper sticking in front of my 35x11.50 Nitto Trail Grapplers.
By moving to a stubbier winch-capable bumper, I could not only solve my recovery tool challenge, but increase my approach angle drastically. While there are plenty of aftermarket bumper options available, I had a few specific attributes I was looking for. Obviously, it needed to be able to hold a winch, but where it held the winch was equally important. Given that Jeep did a great job with the Gladiator in creating a wide opening at the front of the frame for a winch to sit down low, I wanted bumper that would allow me to take advantage of this design.
Additionally, I was looking for something that would have multiple recovery point options (i.e. a hook and shackle mount). I’m a bit old-school in that I’ve like the convenience and rapid recovery that a tow hook provides. Since I’m still running the factory halogen lights, being able to move over my stock fog lights or at least have a place for a set of aftermarket ones was also very important to me. Couple all this with the fact that I am doing my best to be weight conscious weight conscious with all of my upgrades, and my options quickly narrowed.
What I landed on was an Arcus series bumper from Rugged Ridge. While Rugged Ridge offers a huge array of accessories for the Wrangler, CJ and Gladiator platform, they also have some very well-crafted front bumpers. One of the things that makes its Arcus series so unique is that it’s comprised of 11-gage stamped steel. This gives it an OE-style look, while a winch tray and massive 1-inch recovery points provided the added strength needed.
On this Inside Line, I will take you through the upgrade process and show you the cheapest way you can rotate the sway bar disconnect motor on the Rubicon model.
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I have that bumper on my Jeep. I had such high hopes for it, but it came in scratched and Rugged Ridge customer service has been terrible. Nice install video, thank you.
Im digging the OE look, thats why Im considering this bumper too. Very nice
Great minds think a like brother. I hope to see you on the trail this year .
You have one of the best looking gladiators out there. Love the mods my dude. Mine is getting built in the factory right now and this bumper is going to be one of my first mods.
Thank you!
Great video very straightforward installations made easy to understand. Purchase the same bumper from my Rubicon jlu
nice video, best install video I have seen in quite awhile . I'm going to get that set up.
Thank you!
Great video!
Saved for my future install of exact same bumper.
Thank you!
Really wish I had that zip tie trick installing mine! Mounting the front was the hardest part.
Love it.
Perfect video. This is exactly the direction I’m going. Are those factory Rubicon wheels or the Quadratec wider look-alikes?
They are the factory Rubicon wheels with a 35x11.50 Nitto Trail Grappler.
Powerful tattoo sleeve
Just got a 2022 Gladiator and was wondering if you had any issues installing the stock Rubicon foglights. Great video and a new subscriber. Thanks
Congrats on your purchase. I did not have any issue installing the stock fog lights in this bumper.
Great video! Made me decide on buying this bumper. Does the OEM plastic skid plate work with it without modification?
I honestly don't know. I've only tried it with the stock steel one. The other times I have seen JL's with this bumper they have not had a lower skid on. When you have the plastic lower, there is still a small stamped skidplate that spans the length of the crash bars. If you look on the Rugged Ridge website, you'll see a few photos with just that stock lower guard.
👍
FYI- the winch plate that goes with this bumper does not work with badlands apex winch.
I am really digging your RTT setup since it doesn't stick up higher than the top. What tent and mounting/rack solution are you using?
It’s a Simpson Series III from ARB mounted on an AA Products low profile rack that I modified. I did a video on the setup here: ua-cam.com/video/9t-iwpR7KQU/v-deo.html
Great video. Like the winch and bumper. Bought them. Had them installed when lift, wheels, and tires were installed. Question, is the back of the fog lights (plug and wiring) exposed? And do the fog lights have a bit of play in the mount?
Thank you. The wiring is exposed the same as it would be if you had the factory style front bumper with the corners removed. So not a big deal there. There shouldn’t be any play in the fog lights though. They bolt up to the bracket tightly and then the bracket bolts to the main bumper bolts.
@@DrivingLine The bracket is bolted in and tight. The lights however only attach with three round plastic push pins (my term) that click into place. That is where there is minor play, in all three push pins. It sounds like I need to find metal fasteners.
How does the finish seem to be holding up? Any modifications needed to run the factory skid plate? Any way to add aftermarket lighting to the bumper?
Finish is holding up great. The factory skidplate bolted right up with no modification. The way the fog lights bolt to the bracket, you would need to do a little fab work to make an aftermarket set work. That being said, it's not impossible.
I’ve got the same bumper in my garage waiting to go on my Gladiator! Do you think a winch could be installed after the bumper without having to remove the bumper? I don’t have the winch yet and want to go ahead and put the bumper on
The honest answer is, I don't know. I think it's possible, but it will likely depend on the type of winch.
I cranked it as far open (already was) as poss by hand & 3rd time switched back on, it is still running.
I love the bumper and the winch! Do you know if this will fit the Mojave?
I don't see why it would not. I believe the frame horns and mounts are the same. I would double check with Rugged Ridge, but I can't see it being an issue.
Hi Brett, I just got a 2021 Mojave. Did you find out if this bumper and winch were compatible with the Mojave?
@@centralflorida-realestate Yes it is. I have it in mine and it looks awesome. I put a WARN EVO 12,000 synthetic on it.
I removed the OEM skid plate and the skid plate they provide lined up with the existing holes. There was still protection for the shock things with the new skid plate to where I’m not concerned about damage, unless you plan to do some extreme rock crawling which I don’t plan to.
I think the bolts they sent with the skid plate were too large of memory is correct so I used the OEM bolts instead. I had the tow hooks powder coated Mojave Orange to match the old ones. Chevy Competition Orange is almost and exact match. Maybe just a tick off but you can’t tell between the front and rear cause you can’t see both at the same time. 😂
Installing the fog lights took some concentration and some studying. Make sure you get that step right or you’ll have to take shit apart and start over. The directions are clear as mud and the photos kinda suck. One more tip, the wench just fits in there so the wires on the back of the winch will be pressed up against the paint on the front grill. I put a couple layers of electrical tape in that area so the wires don’t rub the paint off in that spot over time. Not much room to put the tape on after you bolt the winch in.
Another tip, go to your dealership and spend the $30 and get the new fog light harness, do not waste your time taking the OEM bumper apart. When u talk to parts guy, there’s a couple options for the harness. One is over $100, ours is the cheaper one. I paid less then $40 for it.
I have over 100K in my Mojave right now. I was offered 100K last week at Crusin The Coast to sell it, turned them down flat. Absolutely love our Jeep!
BRETT MICHAEL CALL thank you so much for your response this was extremely helpful! Pulling the trigger in the bumper and winch soon, this is deff on top of my list. Painting the hooks orange is an awesome idea! Good thinking. I appreciate all the tips
Do the exposed fog light wires and wiring connections need to be waterproofed? They are enclosed in the OEM bumpers.
They have waterproof connectors from the factory. I’ve had it setup like this for well over a year and never had an issue.
Will it work with both halogen and LED foglights?
Yes it will. I actually still have my old LED fog lights from my JL. Almost swapped those in. I did a test fit, so I know they work.
6:47 am had to switch heaters. I got heater #1 going bc #2 would not stay lit, even though used it 2mouths ish, it went out 3 time in a row this morning 1/16/21'
Do you have links to the bumper and winch?
Bumper link: ruggedridge.com/p/rugged-ridge-arcus-front-bumper/v/jeep/gladiator/2020/
Winch Link: ruggedridge.com/p/rugged-ridge-12-500-lb-trekker-winch/v/jeep/gladiator/2020/
Why rugged ridge over warn xenon winch
The Warn Zeon is a great winch, but it's pretty pricy. I basically got a winch and a bumper for the same cost going with Rugged Ridge.
How has this bumper held up? I heard it rusts quickly.
It’s been great! The Jeep has evolved a bunch since this video. I’ve only touched it up with spray paint a few times. That’s primarily due to me hitting things off-road with it. I would definitely recommend it.
@@DrivingLine awesome thank you for the quick reply!
NOW duct tape heater 1 cut off.
we had 3 20lbs tanks & r using the new 4th tank this time, w/bad results cut off 2nd time, even though hve it wide open.
No way to ck(for NOW) if it is this 4th tank bc it's only tank w/any propane in it.
Rugged Ridge is low budget junk. I know from experience. AEV, ARB have been my choices.
My experience with Rugged Ridge products has been positive. AEV and ARB make great stuff as well.