ATVs or 4WD heavy-duty automobiles have a special bumper called the off road bumper. It's the type of specialized thick bumper that can deal with rough terrain and off-road driving, like the pelting shrapnel of rocks on rocky roads or the gritty sand in the middle of the desert.
If your vehicle's bumper has been compromised due to wear-and-tear or low-speed impacts, then you can do the following in order to fix it by yourself.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Bumper Replacement
- Ramp Up and Remove: Ramp up your car with a jack stand and wheel chock. This will give you better access of the screws and clips. Search the damaged bumper for screws, bolts, or clips. Remove them with your screwdriver, pliers, and/or socket set.
- Solvent for Rust and Airbag Controls: If the screws are rusted shut, use solvent to loosen them. If the bumper is connected to the lights, remove the lights. Afterwards, use the steering wheel tool to open the wheel cover to disable the airbag system that deploys when something happens to the bumper.
- Test the Fit: Test the fit of the off road bumper. If you got the wrong fit, check if you can remove certain components to make it fit or simply return it and get a better-fitting bumper for your specific model and make of vehicle. You can actually freely customize the bumper in accordance to your needs, but usually it's more affordable to get a good-fitting one from the start.
- Small Screws Under the Edge: If you're installing an aftermarket rear bumper, remember that the small screws might be found under the edge that you won't find in the bumper it's replacing. There might also be bolts on the backside of this type of bumper. You can use these by drilling new holes on your vehicle to better brace your new bumper.
- More about Screws and Custom Adjustment: Most screws are found on the outside but some vehicles have bolts and screws you can only access from inside the truck. You can also further modify the bumper by filing, sanding, cutting, and shaving the bumper. This might be called for if you lost your original bumper by car accident and you need to adjust vehicular real estate from the crash.
- Drilling Is Crucial: The installation procedure requires drilling. It's probably the most crucial part of the whole process. You need to drill holes in the same places as the factory bumper in your new bumper, especially if it's not exactly OEM fitment but instead a generic, nonspecific, or universal fit bumper.
- Reconnection and Painting: After drilling the holes and screwing your bumper to your ATV, reconnect the lights you've disconnected along with the bumper you're installing. Afterwards, prep the area for painting, particularly the parts that have been chipped. Apply a primer layer, let it dry, and multiple thin layers of clearcoat. Reinstall and reactivate the rest.