How to Install Rugged Ridge XHD Front Bumper Kit w/Stinger Bar & Stubby Bumper Ends on your 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK; 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL

Installation Instructions:

1. From the stock bumper unclip the 2 fog lights from the wiring harness by squeezing the connector on the back and pulling straight out  

2. Remove the wind dam from under the bumper by removing the plastic clips holding it on with a flat screwdriver.

3. Remove the original bumper by removing the 8 nuts around the frame using an 18mm socket and also the 4 nuts from the ends of the bumper using a 15mm socket. When all 12 nuts are off the bumper and tow hooks will come off along with a metal piece that has clips holding a wiring harness to it. Remove these clips from the metal piece.  

4. Remove piece of plastic from behind the bumper using a phillips screwdriver to remove the 2 screw clips from either side.  

5. Remove the fog lights from the original bumper using a phillips screwdriver.

6. Install the fog lights into the XHD bumper by using the supplied sheet metal screws and a phillips screwdriver.

7. Remove the endplates from the XHD bumper and using a 12 mm socket and install the stubby end caps using the same nuts.  

8. If installing a winch install the fairlead to the XHD bumper. The bolts should pass from the inside of the winch cavity to the outside.

9. If installing a winch, now install the winch using the holes in the winch cavity that line up with the winch mounting holes.

10. Using a 12 mm socket remove the vacuum pump saving the bolts.

11. Using a cutting wheel on a grinder cut the front tab off of the vacuum pumps factory bracket with leaving only about 2 inches or less extending from the frame. Spray paint with rust preventative paint.

12. Disconnect the hose retainer clips and zip ties from the air lines on the vacuum pump to allow for easier movement of the airlines. Attach the shorter side of the “Z” bracket to the factory mounting hole using the factory bolt removed earlier. Attach the other side of the “Z” bracket using the supplied M6 bolt, washers, and nut.

13. Bolt the other side of the pump to the short side of the “L” bracket using the supplied M6 bolt, washers and nut. With the pump centered in the channel as far from the driver’s side as possible mark a hole to drill on the cross member through the “L” bracket and using a ¼ inch drill bit drill the hole out and spray with rust preventing paint. Using the supplied M6 bolt, washers, and nut attach the L bracket to the cross member. Check that no parts are rubbing on the frame and move the hoses around with zip ties if necessary.

14. Put the center piece of the bumper onto the frame and line up the mounting holes in the front. Place the stinger onto the bumper and secure it using the 8 top bolts and washers with a 13 mm socket but do not tighten completely.

15. Using the supplied M12 bolts, washers, and nuts attach the bumper and stinger to the frame of the jeep with an 18mm and 19mm socket.

16. Tighten the 8 top bolts of the stinger using a 13 mm socket.

17. Re-attach the fog lights to the wiring harness.