97-01 ARB Bumper: Tire Rub Issues

[bkkrehbiel]

I just installed an ARB bull bar bumper on my 98 XJ. I have a 3.5" lift and 32" MT's and they rub on the bumper. Can anyone provide a recommendation on who or where I could take it to cut the bumper back and reweld the bumper end so I am not left with a sharp edge?

Side Note: What has been anyone's experience with the ARB bull bar? I have heard feedback that it is great and also that it doesn't tie in appropriately to the frame. Thoughts and experiences would be welcome but I mainly am looking to solve the question posed at the beginning.

Thanks,

 

[kujito]

Got pics of problem?

 

[in4aride]

grinder....do work....

 

[bkkrehbiel]

Not a real close picture but it rubs there on the bumper wrap around. Many ppl get the 84-96 to avoid this but I bought this one second hand. I realize a grinder will do the job but I was hoping to re-attach the end of the bumper that is cut and remove about 2" total. I'll try and get a better picture of what I would want to reattach.

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Can you do the cutting off and fab work on what you want re-attached? If so, I can burn it on for ya. I don't generally have the time it'd take to do the whole job, but if you can cut/fit the pieces the way you want 'em, welding 'em up wouldn't take long.

 

[DutchVDub]

If you've got some time I could probably do it. Bring it to me Sunday night or Monday and I could probably get it back to you with-in a week.

 

[bkkrehbiel]

I'll see what I can do about the cutting/fab work and give you a shout Troy. If that fails, I will let you know DutchVDub. I appreciate the help.

 

[XJTodd]

Hmm...Trying to understand how/where you could be running on the bumper. I have an ARB bumper with 35"s and have PLENTY of clearance.

You really need to post a pic of that, so I can at least believe it!

 

[jimgrms]

I am thinking you have wheels with the wrong offset

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

He is rubbing when he stuffs the tire in the well. If you look at his picture he has yet to trim his fenders. He will need to trim his fenders then match the bumper!

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

I am thinking you have wheels with the wrong offset

Possibly...........

 

[Caged94XJ]

You bought the wrong bumper... The 96 and down ARB mounts the same but doesn't have the larger wrap on the sides. Welldone had the same issue and the answer is cut it. Next time buy the 96 and down ARB.

 

[XJTodd]

He is rubbing when he stuffs the tire in the well. If you look at his picture he has yet to trim his fenders. He will need to trim his fenders then match the bumper!

The only thing I ever rub on when stuffed is my fender flares, and that's in the middle of the fender, not in the front at the bumper. Does he have a diff bumper than mine?:

 

[Begster]

I had the same rubbing problem on my Jeep. I just cut the ends off enough so that the tires wouldn't be able to touch them, and left them at that.

Side Note: What has been anyone's experience with the ARB bull bar? I have heard feedback that it is great and also that it doesn't tie in appropriately to the frame. Thoughts and experiences would be welcome but I mainly am looking to solve the question posed at the beginning.

Thanks,

What type of wheeling do you do mainly? If you are doing tons of rock crawling, ARB might not be in your best interest.

I dented the hell out of mine on one rock face. Glad I didn't have a winch in the compartment, that would have gone by by. I actually have it off right now, and we had to hammer part of the compartment back into shape, as a winch could not sit flat on the area.

I also almost ripped the bumper off the unibody on a pull one time.
Here you can see the bent bumper bracket, and the unibody holes where elongated, and the bracket itself was tweaked. I actually have mine off and cut out the old mounts. I have 1/4" plate mounts that I'm getting ready to weld on.

 

[Begster]

The only thing I ever rub on when stuffed is my fender flares, and that's in the middle of the fender, not in the front at the bumper. Does he have a diff bumper than mine?:

Yes, the 97-01 extend further back than the 84-96 bumper you have. The one both him and I have initially extends back another 6 inches than yours does. I have a great side shot on my home computer, but I'm at work currently.

 

[XJTodd]

ah, I see.