Help with Jeeperman rear bumper install?
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 244
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From: Bend, OR
Help with Jeeperman rear bumper install?
I'm having two problems with my Jeeperman rear bumper. Hope someone on here can offer a suggestion.
1. Despite the addition of extra spacer washers from the hardware store, the swingaway tire carrier sags so much that it takes all my strength to lift it high enough to latch closed. I had to make a 1/2in. hex drive out of nuts to fasten it (the promised one on the equipment list was not included) and I've tried super tight, less tight, etc. trying to see if that would raise or lower the carrier. For my wife, this means that she can't use the rear hatch at all, she's not strong enough to open it or close it. Any suggestions?
2. The bolts designed to attach a hi-lift are not spaced correctly. Attach one end, and the other end comes almost exactly right between two of the holes. Hard to figure how they got this wrong. The install instructions warn that you may need to bend them with a hammer, and I tried this as much as I could with little result. Unless someone has a clever idea I'm going to have to take it to a welder to get it moved a half inch.
1. Despite the addition of extra spacer washers from the hardware store, the swingaway tire carrier sags so much that it takes all my strength to lift it high enough to latch closed. I had to make a 1/2in. hex drive out of nuts to fasten it (the promised one on the equipment list was not included) and I've tried super tight, less tight, etc. trying to see if that would raise or lower the carrier. For my wife, this means that she can't use the rear hatch at all, she's not strong enough to open it or close it. Any suggestions?
2. The bolts designed to attach a hi-lift are not spaced correctly. Attach one end, and the other end comes almost exactly right between two of the holes. Hard to figure how they got this wrong. The install instructions warn that you may need to bend them with a hammer, and I tried this as much as I could with little result. Unless someone has a clever idea I'm going to have to take it to a welder to get it moved a half inch.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 244
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From: Bend, OR
I can take and send pictures if you want, let me know. But I did get a definitive answer from Mel at Off Road Evolution.
I took it in to have Mel see if they could get the swingaway to close. Upon inspection he found that the hinge is welded on crooked. The latch end of the swingaway hangs too low to clear. Short of cutting off the hinge and re-welding it, he did what he could, which was to install enough spacers that it would clear and close. But, to do this, the spring-catch at the base of the hinge was so high up that it no longer reached the hole.
As an interim get-me-through-the-day solution, he took out some of the extra spacers so that the catch would reach, and carved the plastic piece at the latch end into a wedge so that the door would slide up it if pushed hard enough. I can open and close it now, but my wife cannot do either. So it's not a great solution.
Your suggestion would be appreciated. Is it practical to take it to a welder and have it cut off and reattached? Would you cover the cost?
I took it in to have Mel see if they could get the swingaway to close. Upon inspection he found that the hinge is welded on crooked. The latch end of the swingaway hangs too low to clear. Short of cutting off the hinge and re-welding it, he did what he could, which was to install enough spacers that it would clear and close. But, to do this, the spring-catch at the base of the hinge was so high up that it no longer reached the hole.
As an interim get-me-through-the-day solution, he took out some of the extra spacers so that the catch would reach, and carved the plastic piece at the latch end into a wedge so that the door would slide up it if pushed hard enough. I can open and close it now, but my wife cannot do either. So it's not a great solution.
Your suggestion would be appreciated. Is it practical to take it to a welder and have it cut off and reattached? Would you cover the cost?
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 63
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From: SoCal Suburbia
Same Problem
I started my installation of the Jeeperman Swing Away yesterday and hit the same problem. Either the tire carrier frame is not square to the hinge or the hinge pin is off angle. No amount of spacers will not fix the problem. Is there a practical fix or do I need to return the bumper?
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Payson Arizona
Hay briandunning. I am having the same problem. I would like to know if you have found any good solution. If I cut the plastic piece the latch-nuts will ride on the bumper By my calculations I need 4 more of the Thick Bearing Shims to get my tire carrier to close properly. I believe I can re-drill the spring pin stop for the spring-catch, so that it will protrud far enough to engague the catch. I am waiting for Jeeperman to send the Thick Bearing Shims so I can give it a try.
Also; you said something about the jack-mount studs. Mine were spaced properly, but one is so short that it can just barely be used. If the stop-nut backs in the jack will mar my bumper. The nylon on the nylock nut is barely ingaged. And if the nylok nut backs out at all 1/2 the jack may fall off. I like your problem better:sad:
Also; you said something about the jack-mount studs. Mine were spaced properly, but one is so short that it can just barely be used. If the stop-nut backs in the jack will mar my bumper. The nylon on the nylock nut is barely ingaged. And if the nylok nut backs out at all 1/2 the jack may fall off. I like your problem better:sad:
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 244
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From: Bend, OR
No, Jeeperman has not offered any solution. I am living with a swingaway that takes a great deal of strength to operate. Very frustrating.
Off Road Evolution was unable to offer any suggestion either, except having it cut off and rewelded. The thicker spacers you are talking about will work, except it will be visibly crooked and the spring catch mechanism will no longer reach the hole so it won't hold itself open.
I was hopeful that Jeeperman would reply to my support email, otherwise I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and pay to have it rewelded myself, because my wife is unable to either open it or close it.
Off Road Evolution was unable to offer any suggestion either, except having it cut off and rewelded. The thicker spacers you are talking about will work, except it will be visibly crooked and the spring catch mechanism will no longer reach the hole so it won't hold itself open.
I was hopeful that Jeeperman would reply to my support email, otherwise I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and pay to have it rewelded myself, because my wife is unable to either open it or close it.
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,558
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From: SoCal
Sorry to hear that Brian. It was nice to meet you last week when i was with Clackey. Hopefully we can get you out with us to do some off roading!