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Jeep Wrangler JK: How to Install Olympic Smuggler Rear Bumper

The Olympic Smuggler is maybe the best looking, not to mention most functional, rear bumper around. Now all we have to do is get it on your Jeep.

By James Hodgson - November 17, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-Present).

Part of the fun of owning an American icon like the Jeep is making it your own with modifications that fit you, and in this humble writer's opinion, it's hard to find a better looking or more functional bumper than the Olympic Smuggler. The way it integrates everything you could possibly need on the rear of your Jeep is super cool.

Of course, some of those features are sold separately, but hey, you get that money back in cool points, right? Right! Let's get that bad boy installed.

Figure 1. Jeep Wrangler with Olympic Smuggler bumper.

Materials Needed

  • Socket set
  • Jack and jack stands to hold the bumper up (optional)
  • Penetrating lubricant (optional)

This is a pretty straightforward installation, especially since we'll leave things like tire carriers and receiver hitch out because we don't know what combinations you've got. If you can tackle this, though, and you absolutely can, you'll be fine on those operations, too.

Step 1 – Make sure your Jeep is parked

You're going to be underneath your truck doing work, so make sure you have your emergency brake on and your truck is on flat level ground. It might not be a bad idea to chock the wheels too, and maybe stick it in first gear if you have a manual gearbox. That way you won't accidentally run yourself over.

Figure 2. Chock your wheels.

Pro Tip

Do not run yourself over. It will hurt some, but worse than that, it'll be super embarrassing.

Step 2 – Remove the four outer bracket bolts

You aren't likely to have any trouble with this. Your Jeep is pretty new, so hopefully it doesn't have any corrosion issues, and you should have plenty of access to the fasteners. If any of them are reluctant to move, you can always spray them down with a penetrating lubricant, but more likely you'll be able to spin them right off with a ratchet set.

Find these bolts on the frame behind the rear wheels.

Figure 3. Mounting brackets.

Step 3 – Remove the inner bracket bolts

These guys are behind the muffler. Take them off and the stock bumper will come right off.

Figure 4. Inner bracket bolts.

Pro Tip

Be careful not to let the bumper fall on you as you're disconnecting it. It's not super heavy, but definitely too heavy to let it whack you in the knee.

Step 4 – Bolt your Outlaw Smuggler to the frame

Now that you know where the bolts go, you should have no trouble bolting up your bumper. The biggest problem will be holding it up to the frame as you do it. You might be able to balance it on a jack or use a strap and engine hoist in some fashion. Or you can get a helper, preferably a strong one. Whatever you do, be careful. If you drop that sucker on your finger it will hurt.

Put in the two bolts that go on the frame, but don't tighten them just yet.

Figure 5. Using hoist to line bumper up, into place.

Step 5 – Bolt the bumper to the rear crossmember

This is why you didn't tighten the bolts on the frame yet. We want to get these crossmember bolts in first.

Figure 6. bolts going through the bumper.

Step 6 – Tighten everything up and you're done!

Well, you're done as far as this guide is concerned. You'll also want to install your winch, antenna, tire carrier, recovery gear, and whatever else you have to put back there. You can handle it though.

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