OEM Steel bumper damage

[Industrialwrench]

Figured I’d share. I’m removing my stock steel bumper and installing a MC. Looking like I have to prep and paint before I install anything…

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[Industrialwrench]

A couple more. The lame thing is that it’s damaged in more places than I thought before removing it. All the damage below was a surprise. Same with the rubbing from the plastics

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Nice rear. LOL

 

[Aonar]

I was lucky enough to catch mine early. I read about the issues with the stock metal rear AFTER my trip to Hot Springs Off Road Park. I also replaced mine with @Metalcloak. Here is my writeup from FB and a couple pics:


I suspect there's a theme/story behind just about every mod ever done.
Here's mine: CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Item: JL Wrangler Crawler "Narrow Width" Rear Bumper, BPC
I was missing 2 spacers necessary for the install, and I called the Company at 1:54 PM yesterday (1-18-22) to see if I might have missed something. They looked up my bumper plans and agreed that I needed the parts. Without me even asking, they stated that they would next-day-air the parts to me. I told them that I would look through the packing material again to make sure I didn't just overlook them and call them back. I left a message and had my call returned at 3:21 PM. They again stated that they would overnight them to me. They arrived today (1-19-22)!
Of course, I could rave about the tight tolerances, the quality materials and the BETTER-THAN-STOCK design, but I knew about all that before I ordered. What I didn't know was that @Metalcloak truly cares about their customers. Since this is my daily driver, I needed to get this bumper switch done during my 2 days off. Things might have gotten interesting from a logistical standpoint if I needed to figure out a different way to get to work.
BTW, this was not the first hint at their superior customer service. After placing my original order, I got a call from MC. It was basically just a meet & greet call and a thank you for my order.
I want to officially thank @Metalcloak for their superior customer service. THANK YOU!
(Sorry about the poor picture quality. This was late and light was fading...and damn was it cold to be doing a bumper swap!).
(BTW, I did have a small amt of body damage from the stock bumper contacting the tub on the passenger side. THIS is why I made the switch to begin with!)

 

[ChuckQue]

Yup, I didn’t damage mine as badly as you did but the potential was there. I’ve been eyeballing MC’s full width one with the stand off/step side parts. I also like that it relocates the trailer plugs up and away from harm.

 

[Terrymo]

https://www.rustysoffroad.com/products/rusty-s-rear-fascia-cover-kit-jl-wrangler

 

[GRAK]

A couple more. The lame thing is that it’s damaged in more places than I thought before removing it. All the damage below was a surprise. Same with the rubbing from the plastics

Gross. Did the bumper show any damage? Wouldn't be surprised to find similar underneath mine

 

[Industrialwrench]

Gross. Did the bumper show any damage? Wouldn't be surprised to find similar underneath mine

The bumper looks fine. I’ve certainly used it in the rocks, but nothing to indicate the damage I found when I removed it. A few scratches, I’m just bummed I spent almost $2k in an oem bumper upgrade from the factory that’s basically junk.

 

[GRAK]

The bumper looks fine. I’ve certainly used it in the rocks, but nothing to indicate the damage I found when I removed it. A few scratches, I’m just bummed I spent almost $2k in an oem bumper upgrade from the factory that’s basically junk.

Yeah, bit of a rip on cost there, I do still like the front one though. Should halve that price. Mine is crammed up on the rear driver side against the paint, have touched it up once, and its a much bigger gap on the other side from coming off a ledge somewhere. Was hoping I didnt have to get an all new bumper, that maybe a spacer washer or trimming the inside of the left side of bumper would be possible but sounds like I should just junk the thing like you. Your new one is pretty clean, good choice

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

I am wondering it it might be worth the $175 investment to purchase the Metalcloak OEM steel bumper reinforcement brackets. I am debating….

 

[Industrialwrench]

I am wondering it it might be worth the $175 investment to purchase the Metalcloak OEM steel bumper reinforcement brackets. I am debating….

The brackets MC has are much more solid than what’s from the factory. They probably would help the factory bumper, but I didn’t like how the factory still managed to use a giant plastic piece for the license plate holder, so it had to go.

 

[JJsJL]

I am wondering it it might be worth the $175 investment to purchase the Metalcloak OEM steel bumper reinforcement brackets. I am debating….

I‘m debating the same. Really isn’t all that pricey if it can survive some additional contact.

 

[Adv_aw8s]

I wonder if their brackets will keep the rear bumper from flexing into the body?

 

[AnnDee4444]

I wonder if their brackets will keep the rear bumper from flexing into the body?

They do have much less flex than the OEM brackets, but they'll never be as strong as a replacement bumper.

See the bottom half of the first post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/oem-steel-rear-bumper-improvements.90638/

 

[Adv_aw8s]

They do have much less flex than the OEM brackets, but they'll never be as strong as a replacement bumper.

See the bottom half of the first post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/oem-steel-rear-bumper-improvements.90638/

Awesome, thank you. I'm on the fence about buying these for a temporary fix until I pull the trigger on a bumper.

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