I want to get my Cherokee (here we goith the money already!) in "shape".

I think it should have a hitch and also tow points on the front. I've been reading about how putting a tow point type front bumper on might be tricky due to the unibody construction.

I wanted to ask those of you who have done this:
What is a good brand to get, and how should I have it done? Take it somewhere, or can I do it myself. I can do normal labor (take off bolts and bolt on new bumper) but have no welding or cutting equipment to modify anything. I just want to be able to help people get unstuck, or have them be able to help me if I get stuck.

Any help here is appreciated!

 

For the front you can just use these:http://www.quadratec.com/products/12007_800_07.htm They are cheaper than a bumper. And for the rear use a hitch with one of these in it:http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-S...&t_pn=EXP69312 You probably find both (the hooks and brackets and receiver shackle bracket) cheaper some where else but this gives you an idea what to look for. Both are what I use as do a lot of people and they work great. Just thought these would give you cheaper options because good bumpers can get expensive.

 

I you want to look at bumpers then check out...
http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=XJB
and
http://www.nates4x4.com/catalog/

 

The best one I have3 seen for the front is detours backbone system

http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone.php

friends install

page three

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...=929082&page=3

 

io love the stage one bumper on jcoffroad thats what im doing asap after my lift. looks so bad azz

 

Based on reviews I have read you can't go wrong with JCR...Also another that gets solid reviews is http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/index.html This is who I will go with since the are local and I can save some cash on shipping and also have it tweaked a bit to my liking..

 

As crazy as it sounds. See about getting it installed.

I have ordered bumpers and rock sliders from two different companies. Rear bumper came in 2.5 inches too narrow and would not fit. Straps going up the gas tank sides weren't bent to the right angle and bolts were impossible to fit in the predrilled holes.

Front bumper was about the same issue with bolting to frame. Holes didn't line up.

Rock sliders...didn't line up with pinch seal. One of the holes to the frame plate was going to a place that didn't have metal (factory hole in frame).

At this point, anything Fabbed up to me, should be mounted by them so they can scratch their head and wonder WTF did I just build that doesn't fit.

Mind you all products are Known Named companies and have great products...one company was listed IN this thread even.

So take this as a piece of advice...if you want to avoid headaches...let them install it and then ask them WHY it doesn't have a bolt there and WHY did you build it that way knowing it Wont bolt up correct. They will fix it and maybe fix the design in the process.

 

What kind of money are you wanting to spend? There are everything from ARB to the U-weld kits. If you are like me you didn't see anything you liked enough to spend that kind of money on. So i sat down one night with the photos of several that I liked different aspects of and sketched out a sort of composite. Went to my buddies with that drawing and we agreed that we could build it for less than $200 in steel and proceeded to do it. Some parts of the build were harder than others because we really needed a brake to bend some of the steel but we used the hydraulic press (80,000#) and came up with a good bumper.

 

This is exactly why I am going with Custom 4x4 Fab they are about 2 miles form my house and will install the bumpers for me..Which is nice cause that way if there are any issues they can deal with them and not me..Money well spent..There is another offroad shop that said they'd install any bumper I bring em but I figure Custom 4x4 would be a better alternative since it's their stuff and they can fix it if there is an issue.. I'll do just about anything to the jeep but some things I'd rather let the pro's handle..Plus I have talked to several guys who have bought from em and had really good luck..

 

Thanks for the input guys! Too bad deciding won't be an easy thing.

Off to crunch some numbers