Installation instruc tio ns – Poison Spyder JK BRAWLER LITE FRONT SKID PLATE User Manual

Page 2

INSTALLATION INSTRUC

TIO

Poison Spyder Customs • JK BRAWLER LITE FRONT SKID PLATE

Page 2

mated together. Note that the bolts at the

front-outermost corners on each side may

interfere with the Jeep’s bumper mount

flanges. This is due to some year-to-year

manufacturing variances in Jeep models. If

yours does not fit properly during test fitting,

simply pull the bumper/skid, remove the

two front-outer bolts, and continue with the

installation. Deletion of these two bolts will

be insignificant to the integrity of the bumper/

skid structure. Tighten the 3/8” bolts.

NOTE: The factory “crash bar” is the thin

sheetmetal crossmember which runs from one

side to the other, at the front of the Jeep’s frame,

just behind the bumper (the bumper should

already be removed at this point). There is some

small interference between the crash bar and the

skid plate, the amount of which will vary by Jeep

year model. At your discretion you may choose

to either trim the crash bar to accomodate the

skid plate, or remove the crash bar altogether.

We recommend complete removal of the crahs

bar. The crash bar’s purpose is superficial once

the skid plate is installed, so it may be removed

without any compromise of the Jeep’s structural

integrity.
3. If the choice is made to REMOVE the crash

bar, use a pneumatic cut-off wheel to simply

cut the crash bar and its side bracketry

completely off of the frame. Clean up the

cuts with a grinder, and paint the bare metal

to discourage rust. Skip this step and move

to the next step if the choice is made to keep

the crash bar.

4. If the choice is made to KEEP the crash bar,

the lower corner of the crash bar at either

end must be trimmed for proper fitment of

the Brawler Lite Skid Plate. Use an abrasive

cut-off wheel or other suitable cutting tool to

trim off the end of the crash bar. On most

year models, your cut should be adjacent to

the outside edge of the front vertical support,

or 7/8” inboard from the outside edge of the

outermost frame bracket as shown in Figure

1. Due to variances in different year models,

your JK may require more or less trimming

than shown. So some test-fitting and further

trimming of the crash bar may be required.

FIGURE 1

5. Once the crash bar has been trimmed for

fitment of the skid, use a file or die grinder

to de-burr the cut edge, then apply touch-up

paint or clear coat to the exposed bare metal

for protection against corrosion.

6. Install the bumper and skid plate assembly

onto the frame. There are eight (8) threaded

studs located on the inside/backside of

the bumper, which will correspond with the

bumper mounting holes on the frame. It

may be a tight fit due to slight manufacturing

variances from Jeep to Jeep, but the bumper

will fit with some gentle persuasion. You may

need to use a rubber mallet or soft dead-blow

hammer to tap the bumper into place. Be

careful not to mar your paint or powdercoat

finish. Note the possible bolt interference

that was discussed in Step 2, and remove

the two denoted bolts if they cause a fitment

issue.

7. Locate the 1/2-13 nylon insert lock nuts and

1/2” flat washers that came in the hardware

kit with your Brawler Lite front bumper.

Install a flat washer and lock nut onto the two

bumper mounting studs at the outside of the

frame rail on either side of the Jeep. Snug

these with the 3/4” deep socket, extension

and ratchet but do not over-tighten. Do not

install the inboard nuts at this time.

8. OPTIONAL: The four 3/8 holes along the

bottom edge of the skid plate may be used to

bolt the skid to the crash bar, if desired and if

the crash bar was not removed earlier. This

will require corresponding holes to be drilled

into the bottom edge of the crash bar. Use

a hammer and a 3/8” transfer punch through

each of the four holes to mark the drill

locations along the bottom of the crash bar.