Rear bumper removal '98 Cherokee

[Rocco83]

Well I can't find any videos, or even much in the way of removal of these online. Being that my old rusted out rear leafs look like they are fused into the rear shackle I don't think it feasible to remove them to reach the outside bumper bracket bolts on each side.

Is they an easy way to get these bad boys off? I've been hitting them with PB Blaster for awhile now.

It doesn't look like I even have enough room to feed a new nut up in there to get my new bumper brackets bolted in. I really don't want to get the sawsall in there to cut an access hole unless I have to.

[4.3LXJ]

I had that problem on an 85 I had. (upgraded to 86 after I rolled it). I had to remove the bumper itself from the bracket first, then the bracket. Lost a couple of nutserts in the rear body doing it. You will have to probably cut the bolts that hold the bumper to the bracket

[Philxj4L]

Ive some photos that may help. I didn't care what condition the standard bumper was left in, as I was replacing it with an HD job, but these photos should let you see where to find the main mounts.
Hope this helps. :)

Cut open to show mount.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/5BB3360E-F55B-4FC8-AA03-5396BC71F826_zpsjjfd7d9k.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/5BB3360E-F55B-4FC8-AA03-5396BC71F826_zpsjjfd7d9k.jpg.html)

Completely removed with mounts exposed.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/FC1BF3AB-26A4-4830-AEB0-5D08150D87DD_zpsv0esyrjn.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/FC1BF3AB-26A4-4830-AEB0-5D08150D87DD_zpsv0esyrjn.jpg.html)

As you can see, there's 4 bolts per mount, IIR they are 12 or 13mm.
The end caps can be popped off, the main securing method is clips on the bodywork.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/D2AD0B7E-00B4-4D4C-973D-B396C82CEAEC_zps5ykykdti.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/D2AD0B7E-00B4-4D4C-973D-B396C82CEAEC_zps5ykykdti.jpg.html)If you expand this image, you can see the clips on the rear quarter panel.

[Rocco83]

Yea I was able to get the end caps off fine and the bottom bolts off the bumper itself. I will probably just hack the bumper to pieces and scrap it to get at the brackets. It is the brackets that I feel I'm going to have big issues with.

The bumper itself will come off easy peasy. Not a fan of the circular bolt head on the top bolt holding it to the bracket. In my mind the stock bumper is loaded with fail as far as the stock mounting goes.

[Philxj4L]

The bolts on mine hadn't been touched in 17 years and came off without too much trouble, so you could be ok. :) I had some cutting to do as the new bumper had legs that slotted up inside the body rails, and had bracer/strengthening plate to sandwich the rails.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/99C91DE4-5BB8-43B6-8140-9C7A1CC2A14B_zpsctqxwob5.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/99C91DE4-5BB8-43B6-8140-9C7A1CC2A14B_zpsctqxwob5.jpg.html)

[Rocco83]

Were the nuts on the inside of the bracket welded to the unibody or did you have to get a wrench on them to hold them while you backed the bolts out? If I have to get a wrench on them to old them while I back the bolts out I'm worried. If not I'll just get the energy drinks and breaker bar out.

[Philxj4L]

They're tad welded to a strip of metal that holds all 3 nuts, but you won't get to them unless you cut that hole shown it the last image. All came off without too much trouble though. I had to get the biggest pry bar to get them out so the leg of the new bumper would slot into place.
On the shackle bolt, again, that shouldn't prove too difficult, I replaced the shackle a couple of years back and that was a 'first out' in around 15yrs.
Give everything a healthy drowning in penetrating fluid, and if you've time, once a day for a few days before. :) (if ya haven't already :) )

[Rocco83]

This is the only time I wish I had an older one. Yours is setup different than the newer ones. From the video I saw for the Pre-98 install it was all pretty easy to get to.

[Rocco83]

And yup. I've been soaking the bolts now for a week or so.

[Philxj4L]

Mines a '98 too, but there may be some differences with mine being for UK market.

[Rocco83]

Those the stock shackles?

[Rocco83]

Mines a '98 too, but there may be some differences with mine being for UK market.


Was confused. The tail lights as well as the way your shackles are located it looks different than mine.

[Philxj4L]

They're +1.5" lift shackles that came with a 2nd hand 3" lift.

[Philxj4L]

They're +1.5" lift shackles that came with a 2nd hand 3" lift. I've extended them as the rear leaves got tired. I've a replacement set and +3 RC dampers, just need to pick up the coils.

[Rocco83]

Was wondering because my entire shackle is tucked up on the two bolts yours is under.