Bumpers

This portion of the write up will only discuss the rear bumper. The 2001 front bumper is completely different from the 98-00 models. If you have a 2001, click on the "2001 Bumper" link.

First, take the rear brackets and flatten them out. I used a sledge hammer. I know if sounds barbaric, but it works.

If you haven't removed the studs from the frame rails, hit them out with a hammer. they'll pop right out. Use a pair of sheetmetal cutters to cut the strip holding the two studs together.

Install the stock L brackets that bolt the bumper to the frame onto the bumper. If they are still on, loosen them up. You will need to get the right spacing for the new brackets. This will allow you to center the bumper side to side.

The rear frame rails have two holes in them. They are offest and the top hole is farther forward about 2 inches. Drill a 1/2 inch hole directly below the top hole about a 1/4 inch forward in the middle of the frame rail. TEST FIT BEFORE YOU DRILL. If the bolt won't go thru, ream it out a bit.

Bolt the bumper bracket that you flattened to the stock L bracket on the bumper. You will need a sawsall to cut out the bottom of the bumper to accept the bumper bracket. I cut a 1.5" slot on boths sides to allow enough side to side space to center it(see photo). Put the bumper bracket to the inside of the stock L bracket. Use the top hole of the bumper bracket and the top hole of the L bracket. Tighten them snuggly. Do the same to the other side.

Lift the bumper onto the frame rail and line up each side so that the hole in the bend that you flattened is centered on the hole you drilled in the frame rail. Slide a bolt through and tighten both sides up with the stock nuts. Check for alignment and clearance with the liftgate.

You will need to weld the Stock L bracket to the new bracket and the new bracket to the frame rail. Midas did mine for $40.

This whole process took me two hours. Don't let it overwhelm you. If you get frustrated, take a break.


				*2001 3" Body Lift Install* *Bumpers*



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		This portion of the write up will only discuss the rear bumper. The 2001 front bumper is completely different from the 98-00 models. If you have a 2001, click on the "2001 Bumper" link. First, take the rear brackets and flatten them out. I used a sledge hammer. I know if sounds barbaric, but it works. If you haven't removed the studs from the frame rails, hit them out with a hammer. they'll pop right out. Use a pair of sheetmetal cutters to cut the strip holding the two studs together. Install the stock L brackets that bolt the bumper to the frame onto the bumper. If they are still on, loosen them up. You will need to get the right spacing for the new brackets. This will allow you to center the bumper side to side. The rear frame rails have two holes in them. They are offest and the top hole is farther forward about 2 inches. Drill a 1/2 inch hole directly below the top hole about a 1/4 inch forward in the middle of the frame rail. TEST FIT BEFORE YOU DRILL. If the bolt won't go thru, ream it out a bit. Bolt the bumper bracket that you flattened to the stock L bracket on the bumper. You will need a sawsall to cut out the bottom of the bumper to accept the bumper bracket. I cut a 1.5" slot on boths sides to allow enough side to side space to center it(see photo). Put the bumper bracket to the inside of the stock L bracket. Use the top hole of the bumper bracket and the top hole of the L bracket. Tighten them snuggly. Do the same to the other side. Lift the bumper onto the frame rail and line up each side so that the hole in the bend that you flattened is centered on the hole you drilled in the frame rail. Slide a bolt through and tighten both sides up with the stock nuts. Check for alignment and clearance with the liftgate. You will need to weld the Stock L bracket to the new bracket and the new bracket to the frame rail. Midas did mine for $40. This whole process took me two hours. Don't let it overwhelm you. If you get frustrated, take a break. The bottom, in the red box, gets cut off with your sawsall. Use a fine tooth metal cutting blade. The white arrow shows where I cut out the bumper. I cut two slits and bent it into the bumper with a hammer. The yellow is where you need welds. It was half done in this picture.



		Here is a picture of the frame rail. The red arrow is the hole you will need to drill. The white arrows are the stock holes and the blue is a mistake so ignore that hole. 2001 Front Bumper