Jeep Gladiator - Rugged Ridge HD Full Width Bumper and Badlands Winch

[@mejkkg]

Looks good! I just did this same project the other day with a different bumper. I should've watched this video before I did it. Would've saved me a lot of time! I hope you're fairlead didn't get scratched up too bad. You should attach that hook to the d- rings.

[@Verb130]

There's a hack with the grill of removing all the bottom plastic push pins, except the outside pins, to be able to get the grill back in, and out for future maintenance, without having to remove the winch. You can look it up on KZbin. That said, on my Jeep, I installed the winch first. I had a wood 4x4 attached with large zip ties to my floor jack, and was able to install the bumper with winch myself. You did a great job explaining the issues with bumper and winch installation. Great job.

[@ScrufsGarage]

Ahh, removing the inward push pins for the grill makes sense. Good tip.

[@nasirahmad4743]

wow the look is amazing

[@ScrufsGarage]

Thanks, I’ve been really happy with it.

[@jeremywhite1349]

Great video and saved me hours. Thanks! I just installed the stubby version on my 2021 Willys. Because this is the most complete explanation I found for installing the bumper, overrider bar, and winch I'll add some notes based on my experience. Bumper install is pretty straightforward. Preventing the mounting bolts from getting pushed in while positioning was the hardest part. My LED fog lights did not need the brackets and just bolted right in. The foglight harness connection isn't great because there is zero slack in the harness. The plastic connector is tight against the frame and it will rub. I'll need to do something like tape it to the frame. I was able to keep the two inner tie-in brackets. The fit is a bit awkward with the winch plate supports but I feel better having them. The outer ones will not fit but the overrider bar has some brackets that create a similar arrangement. I feel I have a strong install now. Definitely need to remove the grill to drop the winch in. I installed a Warn EVO 10-S and needed to reroute some of the electrical cables because they were getting pinched against the grill. If RR would just add 1/4 inch of space then this would be a super easy install. I love the look of this bumper and the price is great for what you get.

[@twsmith221]

I installed the same winch and bumper. Unfortunately the rubicon sway bar disconnect interfered with the winch plate brace and had to make a spacer out of scrap metal. Rugged ridge tech support said they hadn’t heard of this issue yet so hopefully they get it fixed. Would love to see more detail on relocating the power cable. Thank you for the video!

[@crack_of_dawn]

How did you make your spacer? I just ran into the same issue and ended up using 5 washers on each bolt between the bracket and winch plate to provide enough spacing to not be pushing against the rubber grommet. I don't know how safe that will be with the winch under heavy load.

[@twsmith221]

@@crack_of_dawn I had two pieces of 1/4 “ steel cut in a 1” square and drilled out for the bolt. Filled in the gap and seems pretty solid so far. Since then I’ve used the winch and haven’t seen or felt any issue. But I’ll never buy rugged ridge products again. Their response was to bolt it together pushing against the disconnect

[@crack_of_dawn]

@@twsmith221 Awesome thanks, I bought a 1 inch x 3ft 1/4" steel bar at Lowes today, going to cut it and drill 2 holes in it and use that.

[@darrajsam01]

Thanks for this video! It helped me with my install. I had some extra powder coat on the mounting bolts on the overrider bar and would've thought they were incorrect as well. I was eventually able to get them on.

[@ScrufsGarage]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey great video. I installed a Smittybilt Winch, and I thought THAT was tight. Good job fitting yours in there. I also experienced the bolt issue, but I may have ended up cross threading them. I added notches to my stock front skid plate to get it to fit. Cheers.

[@ScrufsGarage]

Interesting to hear that you had the same issue with the bolts on the overrider bar. I considered just cross threading some nuts on there, but that violates all of my automotive instincts, haha. But as of yet, I have any come up with any others solutions. And Rugged Ridge never called me back, haha.

[@Mr45Bullitt]

Really looks good! Great instructions too. Too much for this old man but it was great to watch.

[@ScrufsGarage]

Thanks, I've been really happy with how this bumper looks on the Jeep. My biggest tip is to relocate that power cable on the winch while you've still got it on the work bench. Would have saved me sooo much time.

[@knightingalesaid]

The loose steering is designed to help with crawling and off road travel. It would be nice if they made it adjustable.

[@Viking1276]

That's and interesting fix for the power cable on the winch. I have the same winch on a different Rugged Ridge bumper. Instead of drilling a hole, I relocated the whole upper control box of the winch to under the hood. Your modification looks factory.

[@AlexRodriguez-ju1on]

Any issues encountered by not having the 4 frame tie in brackets mentioned at 12:07? Just installed the same bumper and want to make sure there’s no issues by not having those 4 brackets. Thanks!

[@ScrufsGarage]

No issues at all. I'm still loving this bumper!

[@MOMENTSbyRonSonedecker]

Actually, the threads on the overrider bar bolts are M8-1.25 but when they coat the bracket, there's sloppy build-up on the threads. I picked up a grade 8 M8 nut and a shallow socket, and slowly re-cut the threads and cleared the build-up, and once I did that, they were fine. Without that process, I couldn't even start the lock nuts on the bolts!

[@MOMENTSbyRonSonedecker]

Also, RR confirmed that the tie-in brackets need to be removed - the bumper is for JK or JL models, but only the new JLs come with the additional tie-in brackets (for towing behind campers, etc), and so they need to be removed when adding the bumper.

[@ScrufsGarage]

Ohh, that makes me hopeful. I'll have to give that a try.

[@ScrufsGarage]

As a follow up, I took your suggestion and used a sacrificial nut to slowly recut the threads and clean off some of the buildup. After that I was able to get the locking nuts to thread on correctly. Thanks again for the tip!

[@michaelv6493]

@@MOMENTSbyRonSonedecker You saved me a huge headache! I started this install today and quickly ran into this issue. I called RR and Tech said never heard of this problem and would start a return/exchange ticket via email, ...which never came. Then I found this video and your solution for the problem... and now ready to continue with the install tomorrow as I wasted all day trying to find a fix. Thanks for the helpful video, and solution!

[@ssnova5255]

I mounted mine this past weekend. I had to relocate my power cable the same way.

[@ScrufsGarage]

Yea, I wish I had relocated the battery cable while I still had the winch on the work bench. Would have saved a ton of time. Live and learn. Hopefully this video will save somebody else some time, haha.

[@crack_of_dawn]

A year later, did you ever figure out what size nut fits on the studs for the override bar bracket? I just installed the HD bumper with overrider and ran into the same issue. Went to ace hardware and tried every single nut they had in SAE and Metric and not a single one fit.

[@ScrufsGarage]

So based on a tip from another viewer, the threads on the studs are correct, but they have excess coating on them. So I used a sacrificial nut to thread on and cut off some of the coating. After that, the nuts thread on properly.

[@crack_of_dawn]

@@ScrufsGarage Oh that's great - will any other m8x1.25 work or should I get a specific type of material to have the best chance of removing the coating?

[@ScrufsGarage]

@@crack_of_dawn any nut should be fine

[@GREYWOLF_JL18]

I see you running 35" tires. Any problems when hitting bumps tires hitting bottom of the front bumper? I got 37s n tires so wondering how clearance would work if I installed on my 18 jeep jl

[@ScrufsGarage]

No issues at all with mine.

[@ps360bros]

I have 35s with very meaty tread on stock suspension(will be lifted soon) on my 19 JLUS. They rub and i ended up cutting the bottom portion of the bumper. Very easy to so with a grinder and actually makes the bumper look better imo. But the front of the tire clearly sticks out past the front lip

[@andrewobaya1097]

Scruf i hope you dont mind me asking but what size rim and tires are you using? Im considering an upgrade of my set and really like the look of yours....

[@ScrufsGarage]

The tires are 35x12.5x17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. The wheels are Icon Rebounds 17x8.5 with a -6mm offset. Note that with the -6mm offset the tires do stick out past the fenders. In an ideal world, I'd probably prefer a +6 offset to pull them in a bit, but that wasn't an option with those wheels. And with the -6mm offset, they don't rub when turning, etc. I've been very happy with the combo.

[@andrewobaya1097]

@@ScrufsGarage thanks a bunch and when i subscribed i say all your other videos(Noise and MPG)!! Pretty much answered all my questions 😆 Again thanks a bunch great info.....

[@ScrufsGarage]

Awesome, glad the videos were helpful! Thanks for watching. If I can answer any other questions, just let me know.

[@leshollowell13]

We're you able to use the steel skid plate from Rubicon?If so did it need modifications

[@ScrufsGarage]

Honestly I’ve never gotten around to finding a Rubicon skid and trying to fit it, though I would like to. As for the RR bumper, it is holding up great. Still very happy with it.

[@jimharrow8104]

Nice...

[@derek6947]

Now that you’ve had the bumper for almost a year are you still happy with it?

[@ScrufsGarage]

Yes I am. I've really liked the look of the bumper and winch. No issues with rust or anything; but we don't get the harsh winters and roads salts like they get up north. So I can't say how it would do in that environment. But for my purposes, it's been a good bumper.

[@trippnk]

@@ScrufsGarage do you have any tire rubbing while offroad? I keep reading about larger tires rubbing on the "wings" of the full width bumper.

[@ciscoortiz7129]

How much was the bumper?

[@ScrufsGarage]

Bumper is around $500 and the Overrider bar is like $165. I put some links in the episode notes that may help.

[@RedDawnAviation]

What size brand lift? Good video to

[@ScrufsGarage]

It’s a Rusty’s Offroad 2” lift. Netted me 2.5” in the front and 1.5” in the rear. And I’m running the Fox shocks. I’ve been very happy with it. No issues.

[@josephanderson5338]

Think I just found my bumper looks good

[@marcel7095]

You gotta lift? Looks great!

[@ScrufsGarage]

Yes, I’m running the Rusty’s off-road 2”. I’ve been very happy with it.

[@tacomax7183]

Lol Winch from harbor Freight watch out it could fall apart 🤣😀😀😄