Solving issues with the mopar rear metal bumper

[entropy]

I believe Mopar got the design of the rear bumper just right, asthetically speaking. However, in practice, we all know the bumper was poorly designed for offroading.

I was able to find a lightly used $200 rear metal bumper.

I touched it up with rust oleum bed liner and it came out real nice, looking brand new, and the bedliner is highly scratch resistant which is a plus.

The brackets that hold the bumper to the frame are very flimsy. When the bumper makes contact with a ledge, or rock, or whatever on the trail, the brackets flex and cause damage to the body. Luckily metalcloak makes some really sturdy replacement brackets. Which I installed to mitigate this issue. Theyre much more sturdier and barely flex. They might kiss your jeeps body but should not cause damage to it. I will probably put some body protection clear tape on top of them so they dont scratch the jeep in case of contact.

The other issue with this bumper is the dumb plastic license plate holder. Not only is it plastic, but it isnt bolted to the bumper. On impact, rocks flying down the trail, or even regular driving, it is possible for it to break or fall off. Some jeep owners has even lost it driving down the road. One can remove the plastic clips and bolt it to the bumper where the clips attach, but there are already two T47 bolts that attach the license plate holder bracket to the bumper. Funny right? There is actually a metal bracket that is bolted to the bumper and then the flimsy plastic piece just snaps on it...

Anyway. I simply removed these 2 bolts and drilled two holes on the plastic piece and bolted it securely to the bumper. This way I can be sure I wont lose my license plate and/or snap the license plate light wiring harness.

At around $1200 this bumper isnt worth the price. But for less than $500 total (including the metalcloak brackets) it was worth it to me. Or if it already came with your Jeep, you can easily fix it with some simple mods.

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[ScotM]

I used the metal cloak kit. Nice and strong

 

[stretch-bsn]

Nice! Where did you find a $200 metal bumper?

 

[entropy]

Nice! Where did you find a $200 metal bumper?

Bought it from another forum member.

 

[47Jeepster]

Thanks for pointing out the MetalCloak bumper reinforcement brackets. I dinged the body on my 2018, so understand the problem. Plan on keeping my wife's 2025 Rubicon X reasonably stock, so the brackets will be a good addition.

The backup lights are marginal at best. Although this isn't a bumper problem, if you're going to use the steel OEM bumper here is a great upgrade to the lighting. If you buy the lights, consider the wiring harness that plugs into the OEM harness ... no soldering.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/back-up-lights/5874-504-oracle-rear-bumper-led-reverse-lights

 

[c20040215]

That was exactly what I did. Found a cheap steel bumper and reinforced it with MC brackets. I like the look of it way better than 99% of the bumpers on the market. AEV rear bumper looks and fits great but its over $1K.

 

[Aonarch]

The stock license plate mount is crap.

I did the same thing, drilled and used rivnuts to attach it more securely, also used 3m vhb tape on the plastic.

 

[entropy]

The stock license plate mount is crap.

I did the same thing, drilled and used rivnuts to attach it more securely, also used 3m vhb tape on the plastic.

Yeah I couldn't believe how crappy it was when I removed it. And a replacement is like $90. I am just gonna remove it when doing any trail where the bumper could have contact.

 

[Membrain]

I believe Mopar got the design of the rear bumper just right, asthetically speaking. However, in practice, we all know the bumper was poorly designed for offroading.

I was able to find a lightly used $200 rear metal bumper.

I touched it up with rust oleum bed liner and it came out real nice, looking brand new, and the bedliner is highly scratch resistant which is a plus.

The brackets that hold the bumper to the frame are very flimsy. When the bumper makes contact with a ledge, or rock, or whatever on the trail, the brackets flex and cause damage to the body. Luckily metalcloak makes some really sturdy replacement brackets. Which I installed to mitigate this issue. Theyre much more sturdier and barely flex. They might kiss your jeeps body but should not cause damage to it. I will probably put some body protection clear tape on top of them so they dont scratch the jeep in case of contact.

The other issue with this bumper is the dumb plastic license plate holder. Not only is it plastic, but it isnt bolted to the bumper. On impact, rocks flying down the trail, or even regular driving, it is possible for it to break or fall off. Some jeep owners has even lost it driving down the road. One can remove the plastic clips and bolt it to the bumper where the clips attach, but there are already two T47 bolts that attach the license plate holder bracket to the bumper. Funny right? There is actually a metal bracket that is bolted to the bumper and then the flimsy plastic piece just snaps on it...

Anyway. I simply removed these 2 bolts and drilled two holes on the plastic piece and bolted it securely to the bumper. This way I can be sure I wont lose my license plate and/or snap the license plate light wiring harness.

At around $1200 this bumper isnt worth the price. But for less than $500 total (including the metalcloak brackets) it was worth it to me. Or if it already came with your Jeep, you can easily fix it with some simple mods.

Another +1 using the MetalCloak kit!

 

[ORACLElights]

I believe Mopar got the design of the rear bumper just right, asthetically speaking. However, in practice, we all know the bumper was poorly designed for offroading.

I was able to find a lightly used $200 rear metal bumper.

I touched it up with rust oleum bed liner and it came out real nice, looking brand new, and the bedliner is highly scratch resistant which is a plus.

The brackets that hold the bumper to the frame are very flimsy. When the bumper makes contact with a ledge, or rock, or whatever on the trail, the brackets flex and cause damage to the body. Luckily metalcloak makes some really sturdy replacement brackets. Which I installed to mitigate this issue. Theyre much more sturdier and barely flex. They might kiss your jeeps body but should not cause damage to it. I will probably put some body protection clear tape on top of them so they dont scratch the jeep in case of contact.

The other issue with this bumper is the dumb plastic license plate holder. Not only is it plastic, but it isnt bolted to the bumper. On impact, rocks flying down the trail, or even regular driving, it is possible for it to break or fall off. Some jeep owners has even lost it driving down the road. One can remove the plastic clips and bolt it to the bumper where the clips attach, but there are already two T47 bolts that attach the license plate holder bracket to the bumper. Funny right? There is actually a metal bracket that is bolted to the bumper and then the flimsy plastic piece just snaps on it...

Anyway. I simply removed these 2 bolts and drilled two holes on the plastic piece and bolted it securely to the bumper. This way I can be sure I wont lose my license plate and/or snap the license plate light wiring harness.

At around $1200 this bumper isnt worth the price. But for less than $500 total (including the metalcloak brackets) it was worth it to me. Or if it already came with your Jeep, you can easily fix it with some simple mods.

You've done a great job to re-vitalize a rear steel bumper!! Could use this as an opportunity to change out the reflectors to some really bright ORACLE Lighting Reverse Lights!!!

Remember to use your exclusive forum discount when ordering from ORACLElights.com: WRANGLERJL10

 

[There’sOnlyOne]

Good job. Like the plate idea. There is a long thread on this subject matter but I can't seem to find it. Potter just posted this vid on install.

 

[Andy@AAV]

The Oracle reverse lights are worth every penny. As stated, get the wiring harness too for a simple install. Had mine for 2 years now, no issues.

 

[ORACLElights]

The Oracle reverse lights are worth every penny. As stated, get the wiring harness too for a simple install. Had mine for 2 years now, no issues.

Appreciate you sharing that glad to hear they’ve been solid for you long-term. Thanks for running ORACLE on your Jeep!

For anyone else looking, don’t forget forum members get a discount at checkout with code WRANGLERJL10.
- Hayleigh

 

[Mreservices]

Looking to add a steel mopar bumper to my rubicon. Does anyone know if I can simply buy the bumper and use original hardware from the plastiv bumper to mount (brackets, bolts, etc.)?

 

[RicRecon]

I believe Mopar got the design of the rear bumper just right, asthetically speaking. However, in practice, we all know the bumper was poorly designed for offroading.

I was able to find a lightly used $200 rear metal bumper.

I touched it up with rust oleum bed liner and it came out real nice, looking brand new, and the bedliner is highly scratch resistant which is a plus.

The brackets that hold the bumper to the frame are very flimsy. When the bumper makes contact with a ledge, or rock, or whatever on the trail, the brackets flex and cause damage to the body. Luckily metalcloak makes some really sturdy replacement brackets. Which I installed to mitigate this issue. Theyre much more sturdier and barely flex. They might kiss your jeeps body but should not cause damage to it. I will probably put some body protection clear tape on top of them so they dont scratch the jeep in case of contact.

The other issue with this bumper is the dumb plastic license plate holder. Not only is it plastic, but it isnt bolted to the bumper. On impact, rocks flying down the trail, or even regular driving, it is possible for it to break or fall off. Some jeep owners has even lost it driving down the road. One can remove the plastic clips and bolt it to the bumper where the clips attach, but there are already two T47 bolts that attach the license plate holder bracket to the bumper. Funny right? There is actually a metal bracket that is bolted to the bumper and then the flimsy plastic piece just snaps on it...

Anyway. I simply removed these 2 bolts and drilled two holes on the plastic piece and bolted it securely to the bumper. This way I can be sure I wont lose my license plate and/or snap the license plate light wiring harness.

At around $1200 this bumper isnt worth the price. But for less than $500 total (including the metalcloak brackets) it was worth it to me. Or if it already came with your Jeep, you can easily fix it with some simple mods.

I appreciate you sharing your obesevations and ideas on the license plate holder. I have the plastic bumper and recently damaged the driver side rear end on a trail. I’m going to work on it soon so what you shared should help me.

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