Jeep JK Wrangler Homemade Stubby
Front Bumper Write-Up

April 22nd, 2010 | Category: Bumper Mods, Jeep JK Write-Ups

While I’m sure there is a good reason why Jeep decided to extend the non-structural plastic shell of the front bumpers all the way out to the fenders, I sure as heck don’t know what it is. All I know is that the bumper is a nuisance and has a way of getting in the way of just about everything. They get in the way of rocks, they effectively reduce your approach angles, they make it difficult for you to disconnect your sway bar links and they look terrible after just a few minor hits on the trail. And, it’s for these reasons that chopping up the front bumper and making it into a stubby is one of the most popular, useful and effective modifications that you can make on your Jeep JK Wrangler. Of course, in addition to all the benefits you will get from this mod, the best part about doing it is that it can be done for next to nothing or, nothing at all if you already have all the necessary tools.

What you will need

• 9/16" Socket & Wrench
• 3/8×1" Bolt
• 3/8" Nut
• Ratchet
• Hand Drill
• 9/16" Metal Drill Bit
• Sawzall w/Metal Cutting Blade
• Grinder
• Ruler
• Masking Tape
• Pencil
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Flat Black Touch-Up Paint
   

Instructions

1. Using some rubbing alcohol, clean the plastic surface of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s factory front bumper. This will help remove any oils that would otherwise make it difficult for masking tape to adhere to it. 2. Using a small ruler and a pencil, measure out from the bump pad and mark a point on top of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front bumper as shown in this pic. For my purposes, I made a mark about 5/8" from the edge of the bump pad. 3. Once again, use a small ruler and pencil to measure out from the bump pad and mark a point on the front face of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front bumper as shown in this pic. For my purposes, I made a mark about 2" from the edge of the bump pad.
4. Create a cutting guide by applying masking tape to your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front bumper following the marks that you made. 5. Using a sawzall and a metal cutting blade, carefully cut through both the plastic shell and metal sub-structure of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front bumper as shown. 6. Using a grinder with a coarse sanding disc, clean up the edges of your cut.
7. Using a 9/16" metal drilling bit, drill a hole through the backside of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s bumper metal sub-structure and plastic shell as shown in this pic.
8. Secure the metal sub-structure and plastic shell together using a 3/8×1" bolt and nut. A 9/16" socket and wrench will be needed for this job.
9. Apply some touch-up paint to the cut metal and then Repeat process on the opposite side of your Jeep JK Wrangler.

That’s all there is to it. You now have a Jeep JK Wrangler with a factory stubby front bumper and for free. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Installed Photos

To see more photos of what the finished results look like, simply click on the link below:

Jeep JK Wrangler Homemade
Stubby Front Bumper
Photo Gallery

14 Comments so far

  1. Mike April 23rd, 2010 2:51 pm

    Looks good. It was the first thing to go on the jeep along with the fender trim. I even like the look of the open ends. Great job

  2. MasterG April 27th, 2010 11:39 am

    Good idea! Not sure about the open end but look great !

    :thumbsup:

  3. wayoflife April 27th, 2010 11:56 am

    you can always cap them off with a set of these:

    http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-new/1010

    :)

  4. ArtSki February 6th, 2011 1:37 pm

    This is great, I’m doing it next weekend! Now if there was a similar writeup for the rear bumper, that would make my day!

  5. c4bus September 4th, 2011 9:27 am

    Just did this for the second time yesterday and discovered that the metal bumper support under the plastic makes a better stubby. I removed the plastic, cut the ends off, and cut the two metal cylinders off the front. Now I have a perfect hi-lift lift point, and an even smaller stubby.

  6. Darien Mattison October 31st, 2011 12:29 pm

    c4bus
    can you send pics of your bumper?
    Thanks

  7. Samson76 March 9th, 2012 6:38 pm

    Just did this mod today on my 2011 JKU. Looks great! I’ll probably do the end caps at a later date. I agree, that someone should do a similar writeup for the rear bumper.

  8. Denis May 7th, 2012 11:30 pm

    Is there Any problems if u want to put an evo bumper afterwards? Cause ur cutting at least 6″ of stèle on That…

  9. Denis May 7th, 2012 11:31 pm

    Steel*

  10. Denis May 7th, 2012 11:31 pm

    Is there Any problem if

  11. Denis May 7th, 2012 11:34 pm

    …… In going to install an evo bumper in the future.. Cause ur cutting at least 6″ of steel on there..

  12. wayoflife May 9th, 2012 11:02 am

    the evo bumper does not use any part of the factory bumper

  13. Matt June 26th, 2012 7:59 pm

    Can we get a write-up for doing this to the stock rear bumper?

    Also, My 2010 2DR Sport has the stock front skidplate. What is recommended, cutting to same width as bumper, leaving alone, or removing? (or other solution recommended?)

    BTW, I just got the JK about 3 days ago but have been a big fan of yours through my TJ and XJ years.

  14. Clark Collins November 15th, 2012 9:09 pm

    This was the first mod I did to my 2010 JKU. I shortened the original plastic ends and fastened them with hex head sheet metal screws inside the shortened plastic on this mod. I also cut some pieces of the bumper plastic to fit on the front of the extensions over the crush cans (I had punched a hole in one of them) and fastened them with the sheet metal screws. The finished product looks tough and I have since added a winch plate and Engo winch.

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