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Jeep Wrangler YJ
YJ Build Threads & Member's Rides
My '94 Hunter Green “No Compromises" Build
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<blockquote data-quote="machoheadgames" data-source="post: 428154" data-attributes="member: 18789"><p><strong>ARB Modular Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier (with extras)</strong></p><p></p><p>This project was a BIG one. I started in October and am STILL not done with it fully. I have also had some hiccups and worked really slowly, so it's not a surprise.</p><p></p><p>After all the mess with other tire carriers and bumpers, I decided I was done dealing with BS. I always dismissed this bumper because of the price, and it definitely is a high price, no debating that. But after analyzing the options, it was pretty much between this one and the Warn rear bumper/carrier. Part of the reason I wanted this one was because I really liked all the surface area it provides. I've always hated the way towing connectors are on Jeeps: typically just a 4-way plug dangling off the back. I wanted to do it better, so I got a Hopkins combo 4-way and 7-way plug from Walmart, and wired it into the Jeep wiring. I also wanted better backup lights than the Quadratec LEDs provided, so I purchased Baja Designs S1 Flush Mount. I eventually got over the price and decided to order it. It was backordered and took about 6 weeks to arrive. Felt like an eternity!</p><p></p><p>Upon opening it, you immediately see how nice it is, and it was also extremely well packaged:</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117009[/ATTACH][ATTACH]116989[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>With any rear bumper install on a Jeep, it is an utter pain to deal with the bolts with the gas tank installed, so I opted to drop the gas tank. I also needed to do this anyways so I could access all the rear wiring to tie into the backup lights and to integrate my towing harness wires. It wasn't too bad, I had to loosen the exhaust, disconnect the fuel fill/vent hoses, and then easily lower it down. It came right out.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117013[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>The required drilling a few holes in the frame and self tapping a few holes on the side of the frame for brackets that reinforce the strength of the rear crossmember for towing. After getting the holes made, I got it mounted up. At this point I still had the Savvy lights even, I hadn't decided yet if I wanted to go with the QT LEDs and move the plate back.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117011[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>After recess mounting a tow connector and bright Rigid backup lights on the bumper of my 2019 Nissan Frontier, I decided doing the same to the Jeep was an absolute must. The Rigid SRQ backup lights were a real pain to cut holes for on the truck, so I opted for a simpler install on the Jeep. For that reason, I chose the Baja Designs S1 Flush Mounts, which utilize a 2.5" hole saw. It doesn't get easier than that. I also picked up another of the same tow connector which is installed with a 2-1/8" Hole saw.</p><p></p><p>Don't those Rigids look badass?? They sure light up the night in reverse...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117012[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>After buying the lights and tow connector, I began working on getting them installed and wired. It sure is easier to work in this area with the tank gone...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116997[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Figuring out the placement of the tow connector</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117003[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Doing some wire surgery after freeing the harness clips and pulling the loom up into the tub</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116998[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116999[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Routing my new tapped trailer wires down through the frame and to their home</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117000[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117002[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Similar to the heater blower motor, I opted to use a Deutsch DT connector. I used an 8-pin plug and populated 5 of the possible 7 trailer wires: backup, left turn/brake, right turn/brake, tail lamp, and ground. If I ever need to install a 12V or trailer brake hookup, I can easily go back and add them.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117004[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><strong>Baja Designs Install</strong></p><p></p><p>As stated, these are a simple 2.5" hole saw install.</p><p></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117023[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p></p><p>Masking off the area to help locate where they'll go...</p><p></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117024[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117027[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117028[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p></p><p>One Light Done<strong>!</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117029[/ATTACH][ATTACH]117030[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p></p><p>Had an oopsie with the second light....I used the wrong hole saw (accidentally picked up the 2-1/8 from the tow connector)...ended up having to double up the hole saws to enlarge to 2.5" and I slipped multiple times, making these marks.</p><p></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117031[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]117032[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p></p><p>Wiring nicely strung out and tied up within the bumper so as to be invisible out back.</p><p></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]116994[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH]116995[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p></p><p>Here are some final photos:</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116991[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116993[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116992[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116990[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]116996[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117005[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH]117006[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Overall I think it looks really good! It is a tad bulky, but I am not a rock crawler so it's fine. I love the added functionality of the hard mounted towing connector and the backup lights are much appreciated. This was an expensive project, but in my opinion was worth every bit.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="machoheadgames, post: 428154, member: 18789"] [B]ARB Modular Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier (with extras)[/B] This project was a BIG one. I started in October and am STILL not done with it fully. I have also had some hiccups and worked really slowly, so it's not a surprise. After all the mess with other tire carriers and bumpers, I decided I was done dealing with BS. I always dismissed this bumper because of the price, and it definitely is a high price, no debating that. But after analyzing the options, it was pretty much between this one and the Warn rear bumper/carrier. Part of the reason I wanted this one was because I really liked all the surface area it provides. I've always hated the way towing connectors are on Jeeps: typically just a 4-way plug dangling off the back. I wanted to do it better, so I got a Hopkins combo 4-way and 7-way plug from Walmart, and wired it into the Jeep wiring. I also wanted better backup lights than the Quadratec LEDs provided, so I purchased Baja Designs S1 Flush Mount. I eventually got over the price and decided to order it. It was backordered and took about 6 weeks to arrive. Felt like an eternity! Upon opening it, you immediately see how nice it is, and it was also extremely well packaged: [ATTACH alt="IMG_0159.jpeg"]117009[/ATTACH][ATTACH alt="IMG_0160.jpeg"]116989[/ATTACH] With any rear bumper install on a Jeep, it is an utter pain to deal with the bolts with the gas tank installed, so I opted to drop the gas tank. I also needed to do this anyways so I could access all the rear wiring to tie into the backup lights and to integrate my towing harness wires. It wasn't too bad, I had to loosen the exhaust, disconnect the fuel fill/vent hoses, and then easily lower it down. It came right out. [ATTACH alt="IMG_0952.jpeg"]117013[/ATTACH] The required drilling a few holes in the frame and self tapping a few holes on the side of the frame for brackets that reinforce the strength of the rear crossmember for towing. After getting the holes made, I got it mounted up. At this point I still had the Savvy lights even, I hadn't decided yet if I wanted to go with the QT LEDs and move the plate back. [ATTACH alt="IMG_1848.JPG"]117011[/ATTACH] After recess mounting a tow connector and bright Rigid backup lights on the bumper of my 2019 Nissan Frontier, I decided doing the same to the Jeep was an absolute must. The Rigid SRQ backup lights were a real pain to cut holes for on the truck, so I opted for a simpler install on the Jeep. For that reason, I chose the Baja Designs S1 Flush Mounts, which utilize a 2.5" hole saw. It doesn't get easier than that. I also picked up another of the same tow connector which is installed with a 2-1/8" Hole saw. Don't those Rigids look badass?? They sure light up the night in reverse... [ATTACH alt="IMG_1630.jpeg"]117012[/ATTACH] After buying the lights and tow connector, I began working on getting them installed and wired. It sure is easier to work in this area with the tank gone... [ATTACH alt="IMG_0953.jpeg"]116997[/ATTACH] Figuring out the placement of the tow connector [ATTACH alt="IMG_1056.jpeg"]117003[/ATTACH] Doing some wire surgery after freeing the harness clips and pulling the loom up into the tub [ATTACH alt="IMG_0955.JPG"]116998[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_1003.jpeg"]116999[/ATTACH] Routing my new tapped trailer wires down through the frame and to their home [ATTACH alt="IMG_1005.jpeg"]117000[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_1040.jpeg"]117002[/ATTACH] Similar to the heater blower motor, I opted to use a Deutsch DT connector. I used an 8-pin plug and populated 5 of the possible 7 trailer wires: backup, left turn/brake, right turn/brake, tail lamp, and ground. If I ever need to install a 12V or trailer brake hookup, I can easily go back and add them. [ATTACH alt="IMG_1099.jpeg"]117004[/ATTACH] [B]Baja Designs Install[/B] As stated, these are a simple 2.5" hole saw install. [B][ATTACH alt="62776584583__9A017B76-CEA6-4D2B-9AAF-4529553691BC.jpg"]117023[/ATTACH][/B] Masking off the area to help locate where they'll go... [B][ATTACH alt="IMG_0311.jpg"]117024[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0314.jpg"]117027[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0315.jpg"]117028[/ATTACH][/B] One Light Done[B]! [ATTACH alt="IMG_0316.jpg"]117029[/ATTACH][ATTACH alt="IMG_0317.jpg"]117030[/ATTACH][/B] Had an oopsie with the second light....I used the wrong hole saw (accidentally picked up the 2-1/8 from the tow connector)...ended up having to double up the hole saws to enlarge to 2.5" and I slipped multiple times, making these marks. [B][ATTACH alt="IMG_0588.JPG"]117031[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0589.jpg"]117032[/ATTACH][/B] Wiring nicely strung out and tied up within the bumper so as to be invisible out back. [B][ATTACH alt="IMG_0668.jpeg"]116994[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0674.jpeg"]116995[/ATTACH][/B] Here are some final photos: [ATTACH alt="IMG_0614.jpeg"]116991[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0616.jpeg"]116993[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0615.jpeg"]116992[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0600.jpeg"]116990[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_0765.jpeg"]116996[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_1920.jpeg"]117005[/ATTACH] [ATTACH alt="IMG_1921.jpeg"]117006[/ATTACH] Overall I think it looks really good! It is a tad bulky, but I am not a rock crawler so it's fine. I love the added functionality of the hard mounted towing connector and the backup lights are much appreciated. This was an expensive project, but in my opinion was worth every bit. [/QUOTE]
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