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 Post subject: Adapting a Bestop Highrock TJ/JK Front Bumper
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:52 pm 
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I can get a great deal on one of these bumpers (at a savings of over 50% vs. other KJ specific bumpers), and after seeing how others have adapted/modified other TJ/JK bumpers to fit on our Liberty's, I wonder if it's even worth trying just to save some money??? So, from those who've done it, how hard is it to do? Also, which one would be easier and/or look better mounted to the CRD??? They both seem like it would follow the body lines close enough to actually look decent, but I don't know for certain unless I can get some measurements off one from a Wrangler.


JK
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TJ
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Liberty w/ARB (notice the similarities in shape and grill lines???)
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2005 Black CRD KJ____Full GDE turbo kit, EHM, 6.5L GMCTD lift pump, euro tq conv, 31" Duratracs on 15x7 Procomps w/3.75"bs
2.5" lift, full skids, Super Skink Sliders, front JBA Steel Diff w/True-Trac___Powertax "No-Slip" locker rear
Tow Rig: 2003 Silver 2wd Dodge 2500 reg. cab 5.9 Cummins (highly modded with 550hp/1200tq+)


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 Post subject: Re: Adapting a Bestop Highrock TJ/JK Front Bumper
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:06 pm 
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give it a try... I've been looking at several TJ/JK bumpers for a "modification"!!


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 Post subject: Re: Adapting a Bestop Highrock TJ/JK Front Bumper
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:53 pm 
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From personal experience, Mounting a JK bumper on a KJ and have it strong enough to actually do good is very, very difficult... Unless you want to weld it on.

The Bumpers mount a verticle bracket to the sides of the JK frame rail, vs the tops like the YJ/TJ's. which means you have to notch your front subframe to get the bumper to even fit on the KJ. Then you have the problem of trying to ensure that the mount is even strong enough. I made a custom bracket tothat went from my tow hook mounts to the brackets on my Warn Jk bumper. Even then with 1/4 steel, the subframe's material would start to bend when ever I put any weight or stress on the bumper.

IMO the only way to put a JK bumper on the KJ and have it truely useful would be to weld aeither the bumper or several custome mount plates to the KJ. In which case, you better make sure you really like it, cause it aint getting removed to easily.

Pics of my project are in the Bumpers Sticky. Best of luck, and keep us in the loop on what you decide.

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'12 JK

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 Post subject: Re: Adapting a Bestop Highrock TJ/JK Front Bumper
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:55 pm 
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daspes wrote:
From personal experience, Mounting a JK bumper on a KJ and have it strong enough to actually do good is very, very difficult... Unless you want to weld it on.

The Bumpers mount a verticle bracket to the sides of the JK frame rail, vs the tops like the YJ/TJ's. which means you have to notch your front subframe to get the bumper to even fit on the KJ. Then you have the problem of trying to ensure that the mount is even strong enough. I made a custom bracket tothat went from my tow hook mounts to the brackets on my Warn Jk bumper. Even then with 1/4 steel, the subframe's material would start to bend when ever I put any weight or stress on the bumper.

IMO the only way to put a JK bumper on the KJ and have it truely useful would be to weld aeither the bumper or several custome mount plates to the KJ. In which case, you better make sure you really like it, cause it aint getting removed to easily.

Pics of my project are in the Bumpers Sticky. Best of luck, and keep us in the loop on what you decide.



So, basically you are saying that if I do decide on trying this project, the TJ bumper would be the one to try and would be the easier of the two to make work???

_________________
2005 Black CRD KJ____Full GDE turbo kit, EHM, 6.5L GMCTD lift pump, euro tq conv, 31" Duratracs on 15x7 Procomps w/3.75"bs
2.5" lift, full skids, Super Skink Sliders, front JBA Steel Diff w/True-Trac___Powertax "No-Slip" locker rear
Tow Rig: 2003 Silver 2wd Dodge 2500 reg. cab 5.9 Cummins (highly modded with 550hp/1200tq+)


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 Post subject: Re: Adapting a Bestop Highrock TJ/JK Front Bumper
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:34 pm 
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just try it... if it doesn't turn out okay, then you can sell it for retail and still make the money back plus some.


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 Post subject: Re: Adapting a Bestop Highrock TJ/JK Front Bumper
PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:36 pm 
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Yes.

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'12 JK

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