About to buy a TJM front bumper

antichrist

antichrist

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Sep 7, 2004
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Atlanta, GA
rmuller said:
I actually haven't done it yet due to a major financial hit (moving. ugh), but I decided that the best way would be to get the winch mount (~130 or so), and put the hooks on it..
snip.
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Opinions are like...well, you know. ;) But I highly recommend you stay away from hooks. Anchoring to things that are open is not safe. This is coming from a former rigger, if it matters to you.
 
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RoverChic

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Apr 19, 2004
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mikem said:
I meant its difficult if you are trying to hold the bumper at the same time.

You don't need the winch tray unless you are fitting a winch. You can install the winch tray later, but you'll have to remove the bumper to do it. You'll have to remove the bumper to install the winch anyway, so it won't be any extra work.

Mike
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Do I really have to remove the bumper to install the winch tray??? :( How do I remove that little peice of steel?? Hammer?? :D
 
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syoung

Guest
To remove the plate in the bumper I cut the corners of the plate thingie with a dremel and then whacked it with a hammer. Yes, you really have to remove the bumper to get the winch tray in- it's a tight fit and sometimes you gotta smack it with something big and heavy.
I'm getting the TJM aluminum bull bar- weighs 83lbs compared to 120... uses the steel winch tray so there's no issue with strength. With an aluminum fairlead and synthetic line, I'll be saving probably close to 100lbs.
 
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RoverChic

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Apr 19, 2004
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syoung said:
To remove the plate in the bumper I cut the corners of the plate thingie with a dremel and then whacked it with a hammer. Yes, you really have to remove the bumper to get the winch tray in- it's a tight fit and sometimes you gotta smack it with something big and heavy.
I'm getting the TJM aluminum bull bar- weighs 83lbs compared to 120... uses the steel winch tray so there's no issue with strength. With an aluminum fairlead and synthetic line, I'll be saving probably close to 100lbs.
Click to expand...


Yeah for some reason I thought I could do this alone..LOL! 120 lbs on my big toe! Ugg!

Ok so a hammer it is ...let's hope my aim is good. :D Thanks Steve for the reply!
 
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Epsom_D2

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Dec 27, 2004
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Boca Raton & Gainesville, FL
Just wait till you try and do it with a winch in the tray. My tray required a good pounding from a 20lb sledge to get it to slide onto the frame. So on top of the tray weight i had the weight of the X9 and all the attachments. Ya that was fun plus it's a royal pain to get the bolts through if you have a winch in the basket. I don't know if this was because I have an 04 and there were some design changes but still it's definitely at least a two person job.

The bumper is definitely the easy part you can support it with a couple of jacks while you get the bolts through so it's doable alone. Just be sure to put plenty of masking tape on your front fenders so you don't scratch them up as you position the bumper.

Best of luck and while you aren't getting the clearance of the RTE you do get great quality and durability.

S-P
 
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RoverChic

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Apr 19, 2004
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Epsom_D2 said:
Just wait till you try and do it with a winch in the tray. My tray required a good pounding from a 20lb sledge to get it to slide onto the frame. So on top of the tray weight i had the weight of the X9 and all the attachments. Ya that was fun plus it's a royal pain to get the bolts through if you have a winch in the basket. I don't know if this was because I have an 04 and there were some design changes but still it's definitely at least a two person job.

The bumper is definitely the easy part you can support it with a couple of jacks while you get the bolts through so it's doable alone. Just be sure to put plenty of masking tape on your front fenders so you don't scratch them up as you position the bumper.

Best of luck and while you aren't getting the clearance of the RTE you do get great quality and durability.

S-P
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LOL! For some reason I thought I could do the install last night in about an hour. Not true. I will tackle it today after work and see if I can get that peice o' steel off!
 
cboy903

cboy903

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Nov 4, 2004
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NJ
www.choyboy.com
FWIW, I did it by myself. I would mount the tray on to the frame first before bolting in the winch. It required a big hammer to pound the tray on to the cross member, couldn't have done it with the winch attached.

Here's a pic of the tray/winch before the I hung the bumper back on.
normal_Car%20-%20491.jpg
 
flyfisher11

flyfisher11

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May 25, 2005
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Wolf Laurel NC
syoung said:
To remove the plate in the bumper I cut the corners of the plate thingie with a dremel and then whacked it with a hammer. Yes, you really have to remove the bumper to get the winch tray in- it's a tight fit and sometimes you gotta smack it with something big and heavy.
I'm getting the TJM aluminum bull bar- weighs 83lbs compared to 120... uses the steel winch tray so there's no issue with strength. With an aluminum fairlead and synthetic line, I'll be saving probably close to 100lbs.
Click to expand...

Steve you may want to rethink that aluminum fairlead with a TJM. Remember when I had mine and put the synthetic line on the billet fairlead sat to far back for an extreme pull upward. It would rub on the cutout. I was not totally satisfied with my TJM. It posed well but I'm a little more function than form, just me. It is a good set up as long as you stick to the narrow recommendations ie hooks, tray, etc. I thought about every possible way in the world to change things up, but my advice to all you guys with one is to leave the TJM alone and don't try to modify it. It is a system.
 
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syoung

Guest
Mike- one step ahead there, bro... custom fairlead that's thick enough, plus a good chafe guard. I miss having a bull bar and the aluminium one is so light that it'll make for a better ride. I have access to a delrin roller fairlead with an aluminium frame too that might work- weighs 2lbs.
 
flyfisher11

flyfisher11

Well-known member
May 25, 2005
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Wolf Laurel NC
syoung said:
Mike- one step ahead there, bro... custom fairlead that's thick enough, plus a good chafe guard. I miss having a bull bar and the aluminium one is so light that it'll make for a better ride. I have access to a delrin roller fairlead with an aluminium frame too that might work- weighs 2lbs.
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That sounds perfect. I had thought of a quick fix and stacking two until I could have one machined thick enough. The looks of the TJM is one of the best IMHO but I do love my RTE!
 
flyfisher11

flyfisher11

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May 25, 2005
8,676
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Wolf Laurel NC
rmuller said:
Hey, can any of you guys who have TJM's post pictures of how you have them set up? I want to figure out the best way to do recovery, lights, etc..

thanks!
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This is mine with the TJM before I switched to the RTE
 
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RoverChic

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Apr 19, 2004
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Cboy903: Very helpful pic! I pulled the piece of metal off with some pliers. Came right off, very little pulling or tugging. I had intended to reuse the piece of metal on my T-17 bumper to cover up the hole however I think it looks ok without it for now. I was actually going to remove the bumper at the crush cans to install the winch plate however it looks like your way might be better? I am planning on using two three ton jacks to hold the bumper.....I wish my BF was not in Afghanistan right now! Uggg! I could use a hand with this! Keep the advice coming guys!
 
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