Converting export bumper to US

cyberpunk409 · Jul 4, 2021

Just bought the following bumper to replace my Australian version.

It will have 2 benefits I believe:
1) a better approach angle
2) the ability to install tow hooks

Does anyone know if the part itself is a direct swap over?

Secondly, how do I know if I need to replace the metal reinforced bumper to accommodate the hooks?

And lastly, the postage on these items (a new reinforced bumper and tow hooks) is crazy to Australia via all the websites I've found.

I don't need the reinforced bumper or the tow hooks to be brand new, as no one will really see either. A little different with the lower fascia that everyone sees which is why I bought that new.

Can anyone help source the reinforced bumper and hooks on the cheap for me?

cyberpunk409 · Jul 5, 2021

Just bought the tow hooks from USA. $510AUD, gonna be an expensive project.

So I've got the front bottom fascia and the hooks on their way.

What's the deal with the reinforced bumper??

16 latitude · Jul 8, 2021

I think the area in which you will be working is below the reinforcement.

Flamewave · Jul 8, 2021

Didn't think I had a pic of the bumper floating around but apparently I do. If your bumper looks like this under the fascia you should be golden.

Flamewave · Jul 8, 2021

Also I will say, it was a much bigger pain in the butt to install them into the normal bumper compared to the RRO winch bumper. If it turns out yours doesn't work with the tow hooks, that could be an option.

cyberpunk409 · Jul 9, 2021

Thanks 16 latitude and flamewave.

The RRO winch bumper isn't an option. Everything I buy from the USA to Australia has crazy prices attached.

The lower fascia was about $300AUD and the tow hooks were $550AUD with delivery. If I need to get the proper reinforcement bumper, that's going to be about another $400AUD.

For some reason the US likes to charge crazy prices to ship things to Australia. It's most definitely not the same the other way around (i.e. from Australia to US).

I don't want to get the bumper if I don't need to, and the winch bumper is out of the question with shipping fees.

Loving all the feedback, what a great site!!!

breadtruck · Jul 12, 2021

I would have to think the inner steel is the same, but not 100% sure.
The odd thing is there have been threads on this, but not much as far as answers.

Please do take pics and share your results/learnings!

cyberpunk409 · Jul 12, 2021

Thanks breadtruck. I'll definitely take photos if I do it myself. I'm finding it difficult to find YouTube clips or tutorials on how to remove the lower front bumper fascia for a post 2011 model Patriot though. Plenty videos for pre 2011, none that I can find for my model. Might have to take it in and have it professionally done, which would mean only before and after photos

cyberpunk409 · Jul 12, 2021

Putting this pdf up here for my benefit later and anyone else who stumbles across this thread in the future

cyberpunk409 · Jul 12, 2021

The only issue I can foresee is if I don't have the correct reinforcement bumper then part "C" on the image won't be able to slot/click into place as intended.

Here's the part:

If that's the case, I'm pretty sure an easy workaround solution would be drilling the 2 holes into the reinforced bumper section and flattening out that tow hook bracket with pliers and a hammer. Would be a lot cheaper than sourcing a new reinforcement bumper for about $500 with delivery to Australia.

Thoughts???

cyberpunk409 · Jul 17, 2021

Update: I checked the front reinforcement bumper and it was obvious I had to order a different one. Both the lower fascia and reinforced bumper are close to being delivered. Have spent about $1000AUD all up and I've decided to do the process myself. I'll take pictures and post them when it's done. Super excited to have a recoverable Jeep in my driveway soon!

I still find it amazing that an FDII upgrade was about $800 at the time these patriots were new! Well worth it for the metal skid plate, tow hooks and "low range".

Oh well, they're not available here and I'm happy I don't have the CVT.

cyberpunk409 · Jul 17, 2021

By the way... I ordered a front reinforcement bumper from a pre 2011 vehicle for my 2014 model. I'm praying that it will fit. Anyone have any insight to this?

cyberpunk409 · Jul 17, 2021

This is what I bought for my 2014 Jeep Patriot. I think it came off a 2009 model. All good???

Flamewave · Jul 19, 2021

Looks right to me, has all the right slots for the plate that tabs in.

When you go to swap it out, could you post some pics of your original bumper? I'm curious to see what the difference is.

cyberpunk409 · Jul 19, 2021

I'm more concerned about the bolt holes lining up with the chassis. The tow hooks are definitely designed for this bumper, let's hope the bumper is designed for my car!!

Will post lots of pics 😁

cyberpunk409 · Jul 19, 2021

Oops, did a double post

cyberpunk409 · Jul 29, 2021

I've bought all the tools/parts required, I've received the lower fascia and the hooks in the mail and the steel reinforcement bumper bar isn't far off!

I'm pretty confident about taking the front end off as I've watched several videos now.

My two main concerns at the moment are that the steel reinforcement bar fits my vehicle and I'm not sure about the lower "splash guard" as I think it's called... The piece of plastic where a steel skid plate would go.

The lower splash guard seems to have several bolts attaching it to my current lower fascia, and those holes are not present in the USA version of the lower fascia. It might need trimming or something, not an adventure that I'm keen on!

The one awesome thing is how much my approach angle will increase by with the USA lower fascia, there's a big difference! Our Australian models come with a 20 degree approach angle when stock, not ideal for any kind of serious off roading.

Hopefully the job is straight forward so I can take lots of pictures... If it's a PITA I might be more focussed on the job rather than photos.

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

cyberpunk409 · Jul 29, 2021

I think all up I'm about $1000 AUD deep into this project, so it bloody better all come together!!!

HMar02 · Aug 1, 2021

im sure someone in the states would pay top dollar for your stock bumper and you could make back some of that cash

cyberpunk409 · Aug 1, 2021

Mine is on the right

cyberpunk409 · Aug 4, 2021

The conversion is complete!

Took me almost 9 hours and I dare say RHD Jeep Patriot's have things slightly altered under the hood compared to LHD vehicles, not a simple matter of just adding hooks and switching out a few components

There were times that I almost cried!

It's all done and I'll post some pics tomorrow. I finished just as the sun set and all my light went away, the last couple bolts were fastened under mobile phone light

I'm actually going off roading this weekend so I'm glad I've got the extra security of knowing I can be recovered as well as about an additional 5-7 degrees of approach angle

It can be done and I'll go out on a limb to say I'm probably the only Jeep Patriot in Australia with recovery hooks!

Melbourne Jeep Owner's Club requires vehicles to have recovery points to go on anything more than an "easy" trail. I've been in touch with the president and he told me to take it to a meeting so they can determine whether I'd be able to join them on "medium" trails, which I'm hoping they will!

Pictures tomorrow, my hands are bloodied from my efforts today

cyberpunk409 · Aug 6, 2021

New approach angle sitting just under 40 degrees, very happy with that!! I think I was on 33 degrees before the bumper swap

cyberpunk409 · Aug 6, 2021

I think my numbers are accurate and add up!

The 4x4 Jeep Patriot as sold in Australia has an approach angle of 20 degrees and a ground clearance of 205mm/8.1 inches:

The US FWD version has an approach angle of 26.4 degrees and a ground clearance of 8.1 inches:

So that's 6.4 degrees of additional approach angle thanks just to the bumper.

After my lift I had an approach angle of about 32.5 degrees...

...and after my bumper swap I'm at 39 degrees...

...which is roughly an extra 6.5 degrees... As the literature suggests!

So I'm pretty confident my measurements are all good and I've got 39 degree approach angle, very very happy with that! The hooks are the icing on the cake 😁

cyberpunk409 · Aug 8, 2021

cyberpunk409 · Aug 8, 2021

Unfortunately I couldn't take photos whilst I was doing the conversion.

I dropped my daughter off at school at 8:30am and had until 3pm to complete the job. When it was 2pm and I knew it couldn't be done by 3pm, I had to call my wife to leave work early and get our daughter from school. At that stage my car had no bumper or grills and there was no way I could risk driving around like that. I eventually finished the project at 6:30pm as the sun went down.

If anyone ever wants to convert a bumper from euro to spec to USA FDII spec, just drop me a PM and I will help as much as I can.

It can certainly be done with a lot of effort and muscle.

The wheel well holes and bottom fascia holes don't line up with euro to USA conversion, the place where the 4 push/pull rivets are (2 per side). That's still something i need to sort out.

Also, the foam impact absorber inside the bumper is not compatible, I simply don't have one anymore.

Also, this part seems to be totally redundant:

I have it on my driveway at the moment. There was no way it could fit or serve any functionality!

I'm proud of my efforts and for being that much more off road ready now!

Sadly, my 4x4 adventure scheduled for this weekend had to be cancelled due to a covid lockdown with a max 5km travel from home. It's likely to last another 8 or so days so I'm technically in home lockdown. It sucks!

Thanks and happy jeeping!

cyberpunk409 · Aug 8, 2021

Everyone loves a good before and after shot 🙂

cyberpunk409 · Aug 14, 2021

Turns out I'm not 100% done and this piece is actually quite important:

My bumper is slightly sagging without it and I'm not happy with that. So it's on order and I'm waiting for it to get here.

Good news is I have to rip the entire front off again, so this time I'll definitely take photos as the hard work is all behind me!

P.S. we're STILL in a 5km radius lockdown for at least another 5 days, so no off roading as of yet ☹

breadtruck · Aug 17, 2021

cyberpunk409 said:
Good news is I have to rip the entire front off again, so this time I'll definitely take photos as the hard work is all behind me!

Would definitely be a good resource if you could grab a few inside shots!
Nice job

Converting export bumper to US

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