ORF Bumper Install

I purchased a ORF front non winch bumper last year.  This install was a bit of a pain and actually put the jeep out of commission for about a week while I waited for a new heavy duty steering box bracket to show up.  I began the install by removing the the old bumper and mounting brackets along with the three bolts for the steering box.  While removing these three bolts I broke the small stock steering box spacer.  This was a good opportunity to install a heavier duty spacer that spreads the surface area of the force from the steering box and will be strong enough to turn any size tires with out cracking the unibody.  I also went on to trim the plastic wheel well liners so the Jeep would have a cleaner appearance.

new heavy duty steering box braket 

Steering box not bolted in yet

 I then went on to mount the center section and the two side sections of the bumper, bolting  it through the unibody.  I also remounting the steering box with the new bracket sandwiching it all between the bumper and the steering box. Once this was completed i mounted a set of square fog lights, Hella 500ff driving lamps, a set of D-rings from Quadratec and also my homemade license plate mounting bracket.

I recently have also constructed a grill guard that bolts directly on top of the bumper.  It is made out of 1 3/4 inch metal tubing and 1/4 inch thick flat stock steel.  I have also welded up a license plate protector.  This is made out of an old snowmobile sway bar which is 1/2 inch thick solid steel.

Intake system upgrade

I installed a Airaid throttle body spacer as well as a Rusty's Offroad intake and exhaust package awhile back.  The Airaid spacer was very easy to install.  All I had to do was remove the 4 bolts on the Throttle body as well as the two bolts on the cable support.  I then slide in the new spacer, gasket, and cable support spacer in place and then tightened everything back down with the new hardware.  The new space gained me noticeable horsepower and about 2 mpg.

Same as the throttle body spacer, the new intake was also very easy to install.  I removed the stock air box with 4 bolts then installed the Rusty's Offroad airtube, securing it with the one bolt needed, connected the vacuum hose and then simply slide on the new 6x9 K&N filter and tightened down the clamp.

I then decided to build a debris shield out of some aluminum to try and keep the filter a bit cleaner.  I cut out of a sheet of aluminum, got it fit properly and then secured it with zip ties.  I then took some roofing tar and sealed the bottom joint and filled some holes underneath the filter.

Herculiner Application

I have applied Herculiner to the exterior of my Jeep Cherokee along with a Toyota Pick up truck bed and also Jeep Cherokee floor boards as you saw in a earlier post.  Applying Herculiner which is a truck bed coating may sound intimidating but it is actually a rather simple process.  You begin with prepping the surface which means removing any unwanted objects such as the fender flares and then clean up any rust and bondo if needed.

Edges are taped off and first coat
has been applied

With fender flares and rust removed.
Ready for sanding,

Edges are taped off and plastic
is protecting the cab.  Applying
the second coat here.

Once you have cleaned everything up you can then tape off all the edges as you can see above.  Once this is complete, all the painted surfaces have to be sanded so there can be a good base for the Herculiner to adhere to.  Once sanded the surface has to be cleaned with a solvent, I use acetone.  After that it is as simple as rolling on a thiner primer coat of the hurculiner with the textured roller provided. Then once tacky or dry to the touch apply a second coat as thick as desired.  Once that is complete the tape can be removed and the Herculiner can cure completely.

Herculined fender flare