Adding Protection to Your JK: Bumper and Slider Install
Out on the trail, the most common Wrangler parts to damage are the front bumper and side steps.
Taking your Jeep Wrangler off-roading is a must. Jeep built the Wrangler to be tough and go anywhere, but they also built it on a budget. As a result, not all of the parts are as tough as they could be built.
When you’re driving on a trail, the front bumper is the first part to approach an obstacle. A angry bush or a very hard rock will give your bumper a good beating. The stock bumper also sticks out a bit more than the aftermarket options.
When trying to go up a steep incline, the stock bumper limits the angle at which you can climb without hitting the bumper. The easiest way to modify your Jeep to eliminate this issue is an aftermarket steel bumper.
This gives your Jeep extra protection on the trail and increases your Jeep’s approach angle. It also is very handy to have a place to bolt on a wench and additional lighting. So, once you upgrade the front and rear bumpers, your Wrangler is completely protected, right?
ALSO SEE: What Happens When Jeeping Goes Wrong?
Wrong, the factory plastic side steps help you get in more easily, but they don’t offer much protection from rocks. On the Wrangler Unlimited, the longer wheelbase really exposes the side of your Jeep to damage from rocks. To help provide a layer of safety for your Jeep, we recommend you consider adding a set of metal rock sliders.
In this video, Stradman installs a front bumper and rock sliders with the help of a few friends. Using a basic set of hand tools, the job is complete in a few hours. Next time you hit the trails, you will feel confident that your Wrangler is a bit tougher than before. Let us know what you think about adding protection to your Jeep in the comments.
