Rough Country bull bar installation DIY instructions

[Major Kong]

I went out to do a little work and pulled the brackets from the BS. I noticed something new-there is a small lip that is bent outward where the upper bolts on the brackets attach.

I'd been pushing the bolts in from behind the bumper while sitting on the ground and hadn't seen or felt it before. This lip is what is keeping the bracket from mounting perfectly flush. The 2021 models must not have it if the same kit fits that year.

I sent this pic with an explanation to my rep at Rough Country. Passenger side lip:

The rep sent me this pic of their own modification to clear the lip (driver side bracket):

R&D team should a a minimum be giving you an honorary mention in the title block of the modification shop drawings
Bull Bar / Kritas-mod 1.0

 

[Kritas]

R&D team should a a minimum be giving you an honorary mention in the title block of the modification shop drawings
Bull Bar / Kritas-mod 1.0

I made up some shims to fit behind the brackets to clear the lip. The measurement between the two mounting points for the bull bar is now exactly 36". The bumper should fit back on. I'll give it a shot when I have two extra bodies to assist later so that we don't scratch the paint.

 

[Kritas]

If anyone else experiences this issue, I'm guessing that Rough Country will have corrected the problem with their brackets. If you do experience this problem, place enough spacers ahead of the Bronco bumper to make the bracket clear the lip. Flat washers will do fine if you don't have a bunch of scrap metal like I do. This would have been an easy fix if Rough Country or I had noticed the lip in the first place. It's really easy to miss unless you can get beneath the vehicle.

I would not recommend this kit for the inexperienced or the faint of heart if you plan to install it yourself. You have to be extremely careful to avoid scratching paint and generally f'ing up various clips, plastics, trim and other assorted stuff and you'll have to cut two slices in your bumper. I will say that the materials are solid, and the coating is well done. I'm happy with the look and it'll match well with the other stuff that I'm putting on the Bronco.

 

[Robins21]

Thanks for the info, I will be doing this on my wife's 21 BS the beginning of next year.

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