I did a search and got nowhere so I figured I'd ask. I recently put the Rugged Ridge modular front bumper on, I've since ordered the grill guard/hoop and it arrived today. So here's the question, the hoop came with small rubber piece's in the end of each tube that were located between the mounting plate and the bumper, these would not allow the hoop mounting plates to be fully drawn down. This did not seem right and the pieces were not in the instructions, I took them out and bolted it down tight. I also was not really impressed with the fit as the welds on the tubes are too close to the bolt holes causing the washers to have to bend and conform to the shape of the weld. Overall I'm happy with the look I was just wondering if anyone had the same issues with the rubber pieces. Sorry for the long post.

 

I've had the same issue. The way I dealt with it is that I discarded the said washers. I even had to skip a couple bolts since the head was too big and impacted on the base of the hoop. I figured it didn't matter much since the hoop only supported 2 lights anyway.

 

don't recall the rubber pieces. had the same issue with the bolt heads, but really only one on each side. wasn;t impressed by that, but i do like the look and agree that it's sufficiently tight/sturdy for what i'm going to do with it.

 

Rubber pieces are long-gone.

Yeah, it was hard to get that last bolt on. I did it best as I could but if it ends up rattling off, no great loss. The other 3 per side are solid.

Cheers.

 

Same problem here, just as everyone else said I left the one washer off. I called OMIX-ADA (Rugged Ridge) and they claim they have never heard of this happening and yet of the dozen or so that I've seen in person always has a missing washer or bolt.

 

Had the same problem with mine when I had the hoop, no big deal tho with only 3, I seriously doubt it's going anywhere.

 

I pulled the rubber plugs on mine as well, and I got all 8 bolts on mine.

 

So I have been considering a change over from the stock bumper to the RR XHD bumper. My plan, if and when I do it, would be to get the endcaps and the center hoop. Of those that are seeing this problem, are you installing the hoop after the bumper has been mounted or before the bumper is mounted? Just wondering if this problem only occurs when adding the hoop to the bumper after it has been attached.

 

it's faulty design (on some, not necessarily on all) so whether you install the hoop before or after you mount the bumper doesn't matter with respect to this issue. the holes are too close to the weld on the hoop such that when you attach the bolt head comes in contact with the weld. i was able to get all 8 bolts on and tightened down, but there is a slight gap on 2 bolts (one on each side) from where the bolt head hit the weld. in my opinion it's really just more annoying than being a true issue.

that being said - i would connect the hoop to the bumper before you install the bumper. the hoop attaches to the bumper directly about where the bumper mounts to the frame. i suppose you might be able to install the hoop after the bumper is installed (can't really remmeber how much room is there), but it would be much more difficult. worst case, you may have to detach the bumper but it's not that big of a deal and wouldn't take long. end caps are no problem before or after.

 

Why would it be more difficult after the bumper is on? The nuts are welded to the bumper, so it takes about 5 mins. total to install it.