So I have been struggling with spending 1,000-1,500 on a good bumper with tire carrier that won't get me any further down tough trails. Then two weekends ago I wheeled with Joneszj and Steelmastif. Steelmastif had removed his rear bumper to get it painted and I like the minimal look of his jeep with out the bumper. Joneszj said he had ran that way for awhile when waiting to get his rear XRC.

So this weekend I decided until I can spend the money on a rear bumper I will remove the stock one and relocate the lisence plate. I took an old piece of steel I had from a Weider weight set 14" x 8" x 1/8" with a 90 degree bend at the top. Then I welded a piece of angle to that to hold the 3rd brake light. I took a pneumatic body saw (6 bucks at HF) and cut the crap outta the stock lisence plate holder and sliced the 3rd brake light off the stock tire carrier. Then drilled about a dozen holes painted it black and mounted everything. Then I re-ran all the lights including the night light for the plate to the pass side.

Total cost including the blockoff plate from the dealer and misc spacers and extended bolts from Home depot $20.

 

Looks cool...too bad about the plate though. GO HAWKS!

 

I think it makes it look mean. I like it a lot! I have the same quandry about the rear bumper.

 

Like the plate bracket.... market that thing!!!!

 

Great idea looks better than that big chunk of plastic hanging off the side.

 

You should have a killer departure angle now!

 

Looks great! Does your area have any laws against running without a rear bumper?

 

I was looking at that last night and I think I can flip the factory hitch to the top of the cross member that would gain another 2.5". Plus maybe I can tear off the factory muffler and finally add that Magnaflow


Good question I haven't been pulled over yet and I don't think I'm going to research on the subject ignorance is bliss I guess. I have seen several local pickup trucks running without bumper also. I do have the plastic sitting in the corner, if I get pulled over I can put it back on in a few minutes.

Along those lines I was thinking about welding a small piece of steel on it just to make it an official looking bumper. But honestly the frame and the cross member are more structure than most vehicles have.

 

I hate to break the trend of admirers but it looks cheap and unfinished. Get the bumper.

 

I like the bobtail look, but you really do need a bumper (not running one is illegal in many states and for good reason). I do like the no spare aesthetic though.