garyweb3 Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 I purchased a new after market bumper last fall After getting it painted I didn"t get it installed because the factory bumper brackets will not work with the new bumper and the bolts holding them on are so rusted the heads just round off.It got to late for me to attempt it last year so it got put aside.It looks like I'll have to grind off the old bolt heads,drill out the old bolts and probably retap the existing captured nuts.I got started today and ground off 4 of the 8 bolt heads.When I put the new brackets up against the existing one the holes in the new bracket don't seem to line up very well.It looks to me like I have to use the front 3 of the 4 but only 2 of the 3 on the new brackets line up.Has anybody installed this bumper and did you have the same problem? Did you redrill the bracket holes? Any tips and past experience would be welcome. Thanks.
relyt120 Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 I think I had the same issue with the holes not all lining up. I just used the bolts that lined up. No issues in two years though I don't use the ball hitch at all.
Eagle Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Do your Fey brackets look like the below? I have those brackets, and I had no problems with the holes lining up. But I bought mine at least five years ago.
johnj92131 Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Anyone own a drill and a drill bit? I think you mean to say "drill the brackets you have to match the bumper" or something like that? Personally, I would buy brackets that fit with out the need to drill more holes.
Jeep Driver Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Anyone own a drill and a drill bit? I think you mean to say "drill the brackets you have to match the bumper" or something like that? Personally, I would buy brackets that fit with out the need to drill more holes. My rear wheels were not perfectly centered in the wells. I'm paying $2000 for new wheels and tires. I want my wheels centered. Tonight I dropped my new leafs. Measured 7/8 out from center on the bottom of the perches. I drilled new 9/16 holes in the bottom of the perches and moved the axle back 7/8". Now my wheels are perfectly centered and tomorrow I get my new tires. Point is- Some of us (DO) what needs to be done. Others just b*@$£ and whine about what needs to be done.
HOrnbrod Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 One comment and one question: Comment: All the above has absolutely nothing to do with using the wrong bumper brackets for an aftermarket bumper. Just use the correct brackets made for the bumper. They are cheap if cost is the factor. I don't like drilling holes I don't need to. Question: Which leaf springs did you use that caused the axle to be 7/8" to far forward? That's quite a bit especially when going with large diameter tires. I just want too be sure I don't purchase the same leaf springs. Hope your driveshaft isn't too short now............
Jeep Driver Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 DS was shoved all the way in and I've always been concerned about it......was measured and built for the D35......now 8.25 GS standard springs.
Jeep Driver Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 I purchased a new after market bumper last fall After getting it painted I didn"t get it installed because the factory bumper brackets will not work with the new bumper and the bolts holding them on are so rusted the heads just round off.It got to late for me to attempt it last year so it got put aside.It looks like I'll have to grind off the old bolt heads,drill out the old bolts and probably retap the existing captured nuts.I got started today and ground off 4 of the 8 bolt heads.When I put the new brackets up against the existing one the holes in the new bracket don't seem to line up very well.It looks to me like I have to use the front 3 of the 4 but only 2 of the 3 on the new brackets line up.Has anybody installed this bumper and did you have the same problem? Did you redrill the bracket holes? Any tips and past experience would be welcome. Thanks. Yes, he should redrill the holes. If he goes to a 1/2" rather than the metric size hole.....they will likely all line up. This ain't rocket science. And yes, I was addressing the OP.
Jeep Driver Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 BTW- There is a thread here recently, I believe it was the krustynuts guy with the new brackets....... Someone put the brackets up to 3 MJs........IIRC...........and all the holes where slightly off a bit. Maybe someone could find that thread or post. EDIT: Never mind.....I can't find it....maybe it was something to do with LWB vs SWB or something.
Eagle Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Anyone own a drill and a drill bit? I think you mean to say "drill the brackets you have to match the bumper" or something like that? The Fey brackets are supposed to fit, but tolerances may have slipped. I would take a dreaded Dremal and just egg out the non-aligning hole until it lines up. If it's a complete miss, they yeah -- drill a new hole.
shelbyluvv Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 BTW- There is a thread here recently, I believe it was the krustynuts guy with the new brackets....... Someone put the brackets up to 3 MJs........IIRC...........and all the holes where slightly off a bit. Maybe someone could find that thread or post. EDIT: Never mind.....I can't find it....maybe it was something to do with LWB vs SWB or something. That was in the hitch tread. Terrawombat was talking about the side plates he made.
ggcnash Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 I know I wouldn't be drilling new holes for my new leafs maybe bumper brackets, I would send them dang spring packs back to GS!
shelbyluvv Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 He is going to be really pissed when the new leaf packs settle and the axle gets pushed back 7/8". They are designed to move in an arch. When new the tire sits closer to the front. As they settle the tire will be centered in the wheel arch.
HOrnbrod Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 ^^^^ Good point. When I bought my truck in 02, The axle was way forward. I attributed it to worn saggy springs. :dunno: One of the first things I did was add new GS MT leaf springs. The axle centered right up.
garyweb3 Posted May 26, 2015 Author Posted May 26, 2015 Yes,my brackets look like the two in the picture. The holes on the far left don't line up.
Jeep Driver Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 He is going to be really pissed when the new leaf packs settle and the axle gets pushed back 7/8". They are designed to move in an arch. When new the tire sits closer to the front. As they settle the tire will be centered in the wheel arch. They've had better than 5 months to settle......they are done.
Jeep Driver Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 I can always move it again. Ain't nothing but a thang.
ggcnash Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 My hell creek springs took over a year to settle.Just about the same here
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