I finished my Saturday project and I ran across a few things during the install and searched the forums and internet and found pieces of what I needed, but nothing definitive. So, I figured I would post a write up about my project in case someone else runs into these issues.
I purchased this bumper a few weeks ago and asked David to put a custom mid-hoop on it for me and he did great. They do such a good job at VKS and their welds are GREAT!
http://www.vksfab.com/product/stubby...-winch-bumper/
I removed the factory bumper, air dam, plastic skid, etc. When test fitting I realized that the "crash bar", "bash bar", "front cross-member" (seen it called many names) was going to have to be cut off.
I already knew I was going to have to relocate the vacuum pump so I did that with the kit from Or-Fab that relocates it to the fender well. NOTE, for the '14 the bolts from the factory pump are not threaded into the pump housing, they are threaded into the factory bracket that is welded to the frame. Therefore the bolts they include with the packet will not work by themselves because they do not have nuts and lockwashers on them. Fixed that with a trip to Ace Hardware.
http://www.northridge4x4.com/or-fab-...relocation-kit
After completing that I started hacking at the bar trying to remove it. After a friend let me borrow their hacksaw and another offered up the advice to go get some 3m 1989 cutoff wheels; it was off.
It only took me a couple of hours with the cutoff wheel before it was finally off. Note to self, cut it off all the way up to the bottom of the frame. I cut it off lower than that and had to hack it off even more. It took me taking it off in 8 pieces, but I got it off.
I also removed the old vacuum pump welded on bracket from the inside of the frame rail on drivers side so it was now out of the way. Hit it with some Rustoleum and here we go.
After test fitting I emailed David at VKS and asked him if he made skid plates to cover my sway bar electronic disconnect (factory Rubicons only) and he replied very quickly with another option...the Synergy Rubicon Sway Bar Relocation Kit
http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-JK...l#.VbP_yP7bJnI
This kit, as I am sure you all already know, rotates the factory motor up about 1.75" higher and helps keep it safe. Unfortunately I went to local 4WheelParts store, as I needed it today, but they did not have it in stock so off to Ace Hardware again (trip #2) and surprisingly I found everything I needed to make the kit myself so that worked out great
Had to loosen the sway bar bolts on passenger side frame rail and put a slight bend in the metal tube that runs across the bottom of the radiator but it worked out great.
Finally I was able to install the bumper and I could not be happier with the result.
Thank you David at VKS for the awesome bumper, Marcus at RiverCityOffroad.com for the inspiration from your "Tink" build!
Now waiting to install my Warn Zeon 10-S later this week