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4 x Fortress Front Bumper


Before
One of the biggest modifications next to a lift and tires and wheels on a Jeep or any vehicle are the front and rear bumpers. The front bumper defines the very look and characterists of a Jeep. If your Jeep has a weak front bumper then you have a weak Jeep. If you have a tough, stout bumper then you have a tough Jeep. Now you can rush out and purchase a tough looking bumper or you can lay down the cash for a bumper that does exactly what it looks like. We contacted our friends over at 4 x Fortress and they said they had exactly what we where looking for.

After


Tools: Time:
10 mm Socket or Wrench
T-55 Torex Bit
30 - 60 minutes

These bumpers are made to fit the front frame rails of Jeep YJ or TJ's from 1987 to 2003. It features two massive, one inch thick D-ring (clevis) mounts for recovery that are welded on both the front and back of the bumper (through welded). The bumper is tapered at both ends in a clean look. The quality of this bumper is unequaled. The welds are excellent. The bumper also comes with two light tabs for mounting off road lights. The tabs are spaced to allow room for a winch. The bumper is Black Powder Coated. Writeup done by themajor and kept company by kizer. If you have any questions or comments regarding this write-up visit.

01D_ring front.jpg
Massive, one inch thick D-ring (clevis) mounts for recovery welded through the bumper. No simple surface welds are allowed on this bumper.
02Tabs_rear.jpg
Here is the back of the bumper. You can see the welds.
03Welds.jpg
Same picture as the last but pay attention to the rectangular shape next to the mounting points. Thats the 1-inch clevis welded through the bumper.
0410mm_Frame_cover.jpg
There are four 10 mm bolts attaching the plastic cover. Two on each side of outer frame.
05Cover_Removal.jpg
Lift the cover from the back side and remove. The front of the plastic cover has a lip under the bumper holding it in place.
06aStock_Bumper.jpg
Plastic cover is removed and awaiting a new bumper
06Stock_bump_removed.jpg
Using a driver and a Torx 55 bit remove the top 2 torx bolts securing the stock bumper in place. You may have to use a bit of penatrating oil depending on how long your bolts have been in place from the factory.
07T-55_top_Remove.jpg
Using the same driver and Torx 55 bit remove the 2 lower torx bolts.
08T-55_bottom.jpg
In case you cant find them they normally sit just above your shakles on a YJ. On the TJ's they would be in the same place minus the shackle of course.
09lower_T_55_bolt.jpg
As you can see your stock bumper is basically a bent piece of metal in the shape of a "C". There really isn't any protection or use for recovery with a stock bumper.
10Frame_nuts_weld.jpg
Looking at your mounting point on the drivers side you will see 2 welded nuts. Just to the left of the frame is your steering box.
11Align_holes_A.jpg
Center the bumper tabs over the top front frame holes and install T-55 Torex bolts. Its recommended you loosely tighten the Torx bolts until you have all of them in place.
12Align_holes_B.jpg
Do the same on both sides.
13T-55_rt_top.jpg
Using the same driver and Torx bit torque down to at lest 35 ft lbs.
14T-55_rt_Btm.jpg
Tighten up the rear Torx bits to at least 67 ft lbs
15Done.jpg
This is the finished product. No worries on this bumper about needing to use the recovery points.
17Front_A.jpg
18Close.jpg
Q. Whats my thoughts on the 4 X Fortress Front Bumper?
A. I ordered the rear to match.