Trimming your 2005-2007 Front Bumper

durangotang · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:39 pm

Well I just did this today so I thought I would post up for anyone still anxious about it. It really is super easy and took me about 20 minutes.

So here is what you are starting with... a factory bumper

The idea here is to remove the lower portion to help with your approach height for obstacles.

So we start by making a line on either side where we want to cut... these are the only lines you will have to make for the entire job. Just take a straight edge and follow either the top or bottom line on you side turn signals. I would recommend the bottom line (contrary to the pic)

Then you can start cutting from either the outside or the inside. You are just going to follow the natural line in the bumper all the way up to your line you drew. It's very easy to follow (just make sure it's the correct line) The middle is not attached to anything so there is nothing to cut there. I used some sheet metal snips and made quick work of it. I have heard that a dremel or rotozip can both work well for this. Don't forget to drill out the rivets in each wheel well. It should be just below where you drew your line.

After you do your trimming the front cover should fall away.

The inner valence is held on by 8 metal rivets and 2 plastic things. Go ahead and drill out the rivets (one side shown in pic)

The 2 plastic things should just pull out with some persuasion.

So now you should be done... you can take a file or sanding block and clean up your cuts if need be and touch things up.

BEFORE

AFTER

durangotang · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:21 pm

Someone brought this to my attention... the pieces you can see still coming down where I trimmed the bumper are the bottoms of the fender liners. You can cut them if you like to finish things.... mine are still in the pic because I am tearing them our tomorrow.

Sport · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:43 am

question? Why did you mark the line on top of the turn signals but cut below them?

DO you have a pic of the side?

durangotang · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:36 am

I drew the lines on both parts but didn't take a pic of the lower line. I was wanting to see which line I liked more and decided on the lower one. I'll try and get a pic tomorrow.

07SILVERLIBERTY · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:50 pm

Here is my chopped front end, More pics to follow tommorrow !

Passenger Fender Well

Drivers Fender Well

Front Shot

Sort of a Side shot.....

So I can do this Without ripping off my Front Bumper !

Thanks For the GREAT Write Up !!!!

Troy.

InCommando · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:30 am

I'm thinking that a jigsaw would work,too.

daspes · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:25 am

I used a dremel on mine.

07SILVERLIBERTY · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:01 pm

I used an air powered Dye Grinder and it was QUICK, if you have access to one I STRONGLY reccomend a Dye Grinder and then a Scuffing pad to clean up the edges of the cuts as the plastic tends to melt and re-stick to the surface.

Troy.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:54 pm

took my time with a razor knife to do mine. I left just enough in the wheel well to cover the windshield reservoir hoses and used a heat gun to melt the plastic and reshape the small spots that still rubbed. Thanks for showing just how easy it is.

rubigade · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:09 am

Hey ya'll, be sure to get a skid plate made to cover that lower radiator frame and wire loom. That will be the first thing you damage, and it's the last thing you want to! I'd show you some pics of mine but my photo storage site is jacked. Look at my cardomain website. Hope this helps.

Sport · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:18 am

rubigade wrote:

Hey ya'll, be sure to get a skid plate made to cover that lower radiator frame and wire loom. That will be the first thing you damage, and it's the last thing you want to! I'd show you some pics of mine but my photo storage site is jacked. Look at my cardomain website. Hope this helps.

Hey I was checking out your cardomain and I like the skid plate idea. would you mind putting a how to together? what hardware did you use and what material did you use for the skidplate?

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

I decided to do this, I used a reciprocating saw and it took just about 15 minutes total. I even cut out holes for the impending tow hooks. I didn't have to drill any rivets (as shown with red circles) out. I just unbolted the two bolts under the radiator and pulled the whole thing off. I still need to file down the edges and stuff. When I trimmed the inner fenders I made sure the washer reservoir was still protected by the splash guards.

SoDakJeep · **Posted:** Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:55 pm

I think it looks great. All I used was a Utillity knife and kept going back over the lines a little harder each time till I had a nice clean cut.

I can clear the rock with out scraping my bumper now....

I have a piece of diamond plate to put where that metal is now. I think I may paint Renegade or Jeep on it not sure yet.

darth_scuba · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:53 pm

I Trimmed the bumper this labor day weekend and im loving the way it looks. Now to get a lift kit and bigger tires.
Before

After Trim But Before Cleaning Up Fender Liners

Driver Side

Passenger Side

All in all im very happy with this bumper trimming on my 07.

Liberty for All · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:56 pm

This mod does look better. How does it affect aerodynamics and handling of the Jeep at highway speeds?
Does it weaken the bumper much structurally speaking?
I want aftermarket tubular style and other styles to be made by Smittybuilt or some other fabricator.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:11 am

I did this mod a while back. It does not make any structural change to the bumper itself. It is just trimming "excess" plastic off of the bumper cover. Mine still drives great and cools just fine too. Aerodynamics are more changed by lifting the KJ than by trimming the bumper.

Mine Before:

And After Trimming:

bunkermonkeycw · **Posted:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:51 pm

To trim or not to trim. There is no question.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 2:25 pm

bunkermonkeycw wrote:

To trim or not to trim. There is no question.

Do it! All the cool kids are.

bunkermonkeycw · **Posted:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 4:42 pm

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed May 25, 2011 2:49 pm

I just started to trim mine and Im quite happy so far!

Trimming your 2005-2007 Front Bumper

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