GRATE JOB !!!
Confessions of a Blonde Woman - Jeep Momma’s (Tammy) My Build Thread
Memorial Day 2013 I purchased a new 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I just wanted to be that Topless Soccer Mom. One month later, I posted my first ever blog post and joined social media. That opened a Pandora's box for me. Prior to that, I had no idea about modifications, Jeep accessories, Jeep Forums, tools, and this amazing Jeep community. I found myself enthralled and immersed myself into this whole new foreign world. By April of 2014, I discovered Off-Road YouTube videos and bam the whole -- Just Empty Every Pocket began. May of 2014 I took my first ever off-road class at Rausch Creek Off Road Park, the crazy addiction started the second I put my Jeep into 4lo. Who knew? Not me. I loved it and I have never stopped loving it. I had a huge list of Jeep parts I wanted, but I didn’t have money to spend on me. I was a stay-at-home mom with two kids. But wait! My kids had Legos they didn’t play with anymore. So, I struck a deal. I spent hours sorting Legos and selling them on Ebay. Yes, we wish we still had those Legos, but we can’t live in the past, so we move on. We split the proceeds. I finally made enough money to buy my first real Jeep part.
![Rectangle Toy Plastic Room Font]()
![Rectangle Houseplant Plant Tints and shades Font]()
Barricade Trail Force HD Front Bumper
I was determined to install the bumper myself. I had never done anything like that before in my life. I ordered the bumper, and it was shipped right away. I was so excited. I was also very impatient waiting for the Brown Santa.
![Vertebrate Mammal Grass Leisure Vehicle door]()
When the bumper finally arrived, I got to work on removing the factory bumper and air dam. I had no idea what an air dam was. I was so worried about taking it off and not replacing it thinking it was going to be a catastrophe for my Jeep. That was one of the first things I learned about my Jeep and modifications. Turns out it was no big deal to remove it. My Jeep was just fine. My oldest helped me unwrap the bumper. Sadly, he didn’t partake too much in my Jeep Life. When you are in middle school mom’s and mom stuff isn’t cool.
![Automotive parking light Vehicle Vehicle registration plate Land vehicle Grille]()
![Automotive tire Hood Bumper Grille Wood]()
![Gesture Comfort Automotive design Bumper Motor vehicle]()
The toughest part of the job was loosening those bolts on the factory mounted front plastic bumper. I had to have my then husband loosen them. However, since that time I have learned a few tricks about leverage and know how to get more leverage with my tools. Once the stock bumper was off and set aside it was time to line up my new - heavy duty steel black powder coated bumper. I didn’t have the proper tools so I improvised using whatever I could find in the garage.
![Tire Motor vehicle Automotive tire Hood Automotive lighting]()
When it came time to hook up the fog lights nothing was lining up. My then husband said he go out to buy wire and splice them together. I knew it wasn’t supposed to be that difficult. I was determined to figure it out on my own. I went online to read the reviews and read there was excess factory wires. I looked and didn’t find it. I just sat there and stared at the wires for about 30 minutes. Then finally, this blonde girl realized it – ding, ding the light bulb went off! Just open up the wire loom and pull out the excess wires. Well low and behold what do you know. I figured it out. There really isn't any extra wiring. All I needed to do was separate the passenger side fog light from the main wiring and bring it under and around the frame -- a perfect fit.
![Hand Hood Guitar accessory Gesture Dress]()
![Hood Automotive tire Gesture Finger Bumper]()
Next I mounted in the fog light covers -- definitely a good idea to do this before you bolt on the bumper. However, I'm not sure how most men get this done. It's a real tight fit getting those screws and the teeny tiny nuts in there. Luckily my thin, nimble fingers were able to do the trick.
![Tire Wheel Shoe Automotive tire Vehicle]()
It was a pretty simple easy install. I was so proud of myself and felt empowered! I immediately began looking for the next modification to my Jeep.
Barricade Trail Force HD Front Bumper
I was determined to install the bumper myself. I had never done anything like that before in my life. I ordered the bumper, and it was shipped right away. I was so excited. I was also very impatient waiting for the Brown Santa.
When the bumper finally arrived, I got to work on removing the factory bumper and air dam. I had no idea what an air dam was. I was so worried about taking it off and not replacing it thinking it was going to be a catastrophe for my Jeep. That was one of the first things I learned about my Jeep and modifications. Turns out it was no big deal to remove it. My Jeep was just fine. My oldest helped me unwrap the bumper. Sadly, he didn’t partake too much in my Jeep Life. When you are in middle school mom’s and mom stuff isn’t cool.
The toughest part of the job was loosening those bolts on the factory mounted front plastic bumper. I had to have my then husband loosen them. However, since that time I have learned a few tricks about leverage and know how to get more leverage with my tools. Once the stock bumper was off and set aside it was time to line up my new - heavy duty steel black powder coated bumper. I didn’t have the proper tools so I improvised using whatever I could find in the garage.
When it came time to hook up the fog lights nothing was lining up. My then husband said he go out to buy wire and splice them together. I knew it wasn’t supposed to be that difficult. I was determined to figure it out on my own. I went online to read the reviews and read there was excess factory wires. I looked and didn’t find it. I just sat there and stared at the wires for about 30 minutes. Then finally, this blonde girl realized it – ding, ding the light bulb went off! Just open up the wire loom and pull out the excess wires. Well low and behold what do you know. I figured it out. There really isn't any extra wiring. All I needed to do was separate the passenger side fog light from the main wiring and bring it under and around the frame -- a perfect fit.
Next I mounted in the fog light covers -- definitely a good idea to do this before you bolt on the bumper. However, I'm not sure how most men get this done. It's a real tight fit getting those screws and the teeny tiny nuts in there. Luckily my thin, nimble fingers were able to do the trick.
It was a pretty simple easy install. I was so proud of myself and felt empowered! I immediately began looking for the next modification to my Jeep.
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