How critical are extra rear bumper crossmember bolts with frame tie-ins?

James9100

James9100

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
May 3, 2021
Messages
648
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Most aftermarket rear bumpers want you to drill and add at least two inner crossmember bolts. How helpful are those extra bolts really as long as you have frame tie-in brackets?
With as thin as the rear crossmember is it just doesn’t seem like they’d really add any strength, again, as long as the rear bumper is tied directly to the frame.
What’s your guys’ opinion?
 
Obviously I’m asking because I didn’t add the extra bolts when I put on my bumper (just the two outer bolts and two underside bolts), but I do have tie-in brackets.
Just wondering if adding those extra bolts are something to put on the summer list.
 
James9100 said:
Obviously I’m asking because I didn’t add the extra bolts when I put on my bumper (just the two outer bolts and two underside bolts), but I do have tie-in brackets.
Just wondering if adding those extra bolts are something to put on the summer list.
Click to expand...

Same…following….especially since on mine they would be very close to the old holes from my removed hitch.
 
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jjvw said:
Most do not have frame tie-ins. How often have we seen rear crossmembers ripped off?
Click to expand...

I’m not a wheeler so I have no idea.
But I’m guessing very seldom to essentially never.
That doesn’t answer the question though, if you do have tie-ins… how much do 4 extra bolts into a thin crossmember actually help?
 
James9100 said:
I’m not a wheeler so I have no idea.
But I’m guessing very seldom to essentially never.
That doesn’t answer the question though, if you do have tie-ins… how much do 4 extra bolts into a thin crossmember actually help?
Click to expand...

To begin with, the crossmember is not all that thin and it is welded to the frame in four spots. Then it is bolted to the gas tank skid. Adding more bolted connections between the frame and bumper only adds more rigidity by further unitizing the bumper across the crossmember.

Mine has a low profile plate fully wrapping the crossmember with 14 bolts.
20240128_144346.jpg
 
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James9100 said:
Obviously I’m asking because I didn’t add the extra bolts when I put on my bumper (just the two outer bolts and two underside bolts), but I do have tie-in brackets.
Just wondering if adding those extra bolts are something to put on the summer list.
Click to expand...

12 bolts plus frame tie-ins.
Just in case. ;)

bumper2.jpg
 
James9100 said:
So do all you guys with 10+ bolts in your bumper ALSO have frame tie-ins?
Click to expand...

Mine does, only because they are left over from the previous gigantic swing away bumper. I would not have gone out of my way to add them to the current plate.
 
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jjvw said:
Mine does, only because they are left over from the previous gigantic swing away bumper. I would not have gone out of my way to add them to the current plate.
Click to expand...

Nice. I've been half wondering if I should cough out for some.
 

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