Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper Installation Write-Up

September 9, 2010 Cindy Bumper Mods, Jeep JK Write-Ups 3


When it comes to heavy duty steel formed bumpers, few companies have the history of excellence and reputation of quality that Hanson Offroad enjoys today. Made entirely here in the USA, you can be sure that all Hanson bumpers are crafted with care and are ready to take just about any punishment you can subject it to. Of course, when I heard that Hanson had released a brand new stubby front bumper with a stinger for the JK, I knew that it was something I had to see it. And, once I did, I knew right then and there that it was the bumper that was going to go on our Sunburst Orange JK.More than just a looker, the Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper is built exceptionally well, offers real protection where it’s needed, provides maximum approach angles, comes with stout recovery points and to top it off, the ability for you to keep your factory fog lights. Installation is super easy and the write-up below will help you to install one on your Jeep JK Wrangler.

What you will need

• 16,18,19mm Socket & Wrench
• 7/16,9/16,3/4″ Wrench
• Ratchet
• 3″ Ratchet Extension
• 3/8″ Allen Wrench
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Hand Drill
• 5/16″ Drill Bit

Instructions
Here’s a shot of everything you should get with your new Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper.
1. Begin the installation of your new Hanson Stubby Front Winch Bumper by unscrewing the 4 plastic screws securing the factory air dam to the bottom of your front bumper. A phillips screwdriver will be needed for this job.
2. Once unscrewed, you should be able to pull out both the plastic screw and insert with little effort but if you find that your screws are just spinning (as several of mine did), you will need to wedge a flathead screwdriver or small pry bar between your JK’s plastic bumper and air dam to help you force it out as shown in this photo.
3. Now, climb under the front of your Jeep JK Wrangler and using a phillips screwdriver, remove the remaining 2 plastic screws securing the air dam to the lower cross member. As before, if these screws just spin in place, use a flathead screwdriver or small pry bar to help you force them out. Your air dam should now be free of your Jeep and it can now be discarded as it will no longer be needed.
4. If your Jeep JK Wrangler came equipped with factory fog lights, climb under the front of your Jeep, look up behind the front bumper, locate the wiring harness plug, lift up the clip and then pull it off as shown in this photo.
5. Using a pair of needle nose pliers, pry off all the fog light wiring harness connectors on the back of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front bumper.
6. Using an 18mm socket, remove the 4 bumper mounting nuts (2 on each side) located next to the inside of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s frame rails and fog light holes. 7. Using an 18mm socket, remove the 4 bumper mounting nuts (2 on each side) located next to the outside of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s frame rails. 8. Remove the backing plates off the bumper mounting studs as shown in this photo.
9. Carefully pull off your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front bumper off the frame rails. If your JK came equipped with factory tow hooks, grab and use both of them to carefully pull your front bumper off the frame rails.
10. Using a phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 plastic screws securing the top plastic cover in place.
11. Again, if you find these screws to just spin in place, use a flathead screwdriver or small pry bar to help you lift up the cover off the frame rail and force the screw out.
12. Again, if your Jeep JK Wrangler came equipped with factory fog lights, use a phillips screwdriver to remove the 4 screws securing them to the bumper. Then, pull the fog lights out and set them aside until you are ready to install them in your new Hanson Stubby Front Winch Bumper.
13. Carefully place your new Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper on top of your Jeep JK Wrangler’s frame rails as shown. 14. With washers placed on the 1/2″ bolts provided, reach back in between the bumper and insert them through the mounting holes. Place a washer and lock washer on the bolts and then secure everything in place with a nut. 15. Using a 3/4″ socket and wrench, tighten down the 8 bolts and nuts.
16. If you purchased an optional winch fairlead mount, place it on top of your Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper as shown. 17. Attach and secure your fairlead to the mount using the hardware that comes with your winch. The bolt and nut size will differ depending on the make. On a Mile Marker winch, you will need a 18 and 19mm wrench for this job. 18. Carefully place your winch on top of your fairlead mount and Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper.
19. Secure your winch to your Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper using the bolts that come with the winch. On my Mile Marker winch, I needed to use a 16mm socket for this job. 20. Using a 5/16″ bit, drill out the bottom 2 holes on your Jeep JK Wrangler’s factory fog lights as shown. 21. Using the 1/4″ stainless steel bolts and nuts provided, secure your Jeep JK Wrangler’s factory fog lights to the Hanson mounting brackets as shown. You will need a 7/16″ wrench and a 3/8″ allen wrench for this job.
22. Space is tight but you should be able to insert the assembled fog lights through the open space located between the bottom of the bumper and lower cross member as shown. 23. Position the fog lights behind the cutouts on your Hanson Stubby Front Stinger Bumper and then, using the 1/4″ stainless steel bolts and nuts provided, secure them in place. You will need a 7/16″ wrench and a 3/8″ allen wrench for this job. 24. Plug your Jeep JK Wrangler’s factory wiring harness into the fog lights.
25. Wire up your winch and you’re done. Click on the link below to see more pics of what this bumper looks like installed:Hanson Stubby Front Stinger
Bumper Photo Gallery

And that’s all there is to it.
Please let me know if you have any questions.

3 Comments

  1. Step #10! I had to remove the same piece off my JK today and it wasn’t that easy at all. I think the screws and or anchors were messed up from the factory.. ended up pulling them out with a pair of needle nosed pilers! Needless to say I put something totally different back in place of them.

  2. I own a JK, and wanting to install this Hanson Stubby bumpers (front and rear). I already have a Blue Ox tow system on the front. The JK pulls behind my F350. Any idea if you think this front bumper will fit, even with some fabrication? It appears by pics some fabrication will be needed to accomodate my Blue Ox. Called Hanson, and they advised using Project-JK for best advise. By the way, your JK Unlimited looks great! Thanks! Jim

    blueox.us/Towbars/towbars.htm
    blueox.us/PDFS/BX7445.pdf

  3. Step #15 the bolts keep spinning when I tried to tighten it. I can’t fit a wrench to hold bolt down. Thoughts?

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