Cheap Bumpers on eBay!!

I couldn't get the 4 frame bolts to go on the other night so while I was messing with the winch wiring I did some investigating. Appearantly due to the KORE reinforcement plates, it's just enough to throw it out of whack. I tried everything and they aren't going in. Not sure of my angle of attack on this.

I took the hawse fairlead off, after confirming I have less than 1/4" difference (need 3/8"+). The problem is the holes in the bumper to mount the fairlead aren't centered on the slot they cut out, they're too low. Not sure what I'm going to do here either.

As you can notice in this pic above, all my gussets running front to back are also bent. Getting pretty fucking sick of this bumper at this point.

 

I had the same issue with my holes i wollowed them out some with a dremel. Was a pain but works.

 

In the first pic - are those the holes that goes into the bottom portion of the front bumper? If you, try to use a jack and a piece of wood to help you alight that metal. It looks like if need be and last resort, you may need to extend that hole by egging it. Since there are so many little bolts that hold it on, try loosening them senquentially and then reinstalling it. I know, sounds like a total bitch.

As for your fairlead, you can either A) trim up that hole - harbor freight has a lot of heavy duty sanders/ grinders OR B) if it's not too much interference, I would bevel and smooth out the open on the inside of the winch opening as to allow the rope to slide smoothly. Remember, sharp ( 90 degree ) edges are not your friend...


DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

As far as the first pic, I did everything you mentioned! None of it worked. If I could just get the bolts started I'd have a fighting chance but even trying longer bolts was a no-go.
For the fairlead, I have a grinder with grinding, sanding and cut-off wheels I've used on a lot of stuff. I'm well versed with it but this will be difficult to do with it not looking like shit. I'm going to try my sawzall with a Diablo metal cutting blade and see how that goes. I cut my frame on my FZJ80 easily with that so we'll see.

 

Which "bit" did you have in your dremel to enlarge the holes? Thanks.

 

I used a hardened grinding bit for metal was in the kit I bought it’s not pretty but worked.

 

It’s very well known that those holes must be enlarged. Don’t know anyone who didn’t have to enlarge those holes

Mine are enlarged quite a bit. Had to actually re tap those bolts cause I stripped them trying to force it lol

 

How'd you enlarge them?

 

A drill

 

These holes don't line up, even using a jack, front to back OR left to right. I can see it happening without the KORE plates but not with them.

 

????

Use a drill to enlarge the holes ?

Yours line up better than mine did. Mine were very far off


5 minutes with a drill.

 

Mine are very enlarged and I still have trouble getting the bolts in.

My king resi brackets clamp the entire mount down though

 

I forgot how easy cheap Chinese steel cuts!!! Took less than 3 minutes to do this with a sawzall. Like butta'!

 

I’m happy with mine... everthing lined up for the most part

 

So does that mean someone cant own different companies in different states? When I inquired to KO about a Jeep bumper they told me they are the same company as Oem wheels direct and dv8. Dv8 was a warehouse location where I would need to get my freight forwarder to pick up from if I wanted to purchase. They’re shipments come into the port of LA and Long Beach.

 

who did they admit it to? i would love to see that in writing so i could post it over and over!

 

no i don't work for them. i just got good service from them and think that everyone should know that its not the same problems as before. these forums are quick and easy to shoot something down but hard to give them credit when something goes right....actually...not just forums, its this generation we live where everyone on social media is like that. sensitive and negative.

 

It has also been posted that it is made in the USA so who knows, and who cares.

 

I don't have the time to browse 300+ pages of thread, maybe you can give me a quick simple answer. Does this bumper work with the factory hitch?