Front bumper and fenders questions
 

Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
question is:

1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
recommend?

2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?

3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
other fog lamp that is working?

4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!

-Chris

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

Hey Chris,

I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
years and this is what I would do.

Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.

If you are dead set against that then:

Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will not
match up correctly.
To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice such
as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted to
make them look right.

If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage. Again,
the right way to go would be through a body shop. If nothing else, they can
put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list of
the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so. Remember
that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.

If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later, it
may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
vehicle's ability to handle another collision.

This would be a great opportunity to replace the rinky dink bumper that
comes on the Jeep with a good one. Though it may cost you a pretty penny,
you could get something that would look better, work better and protect your
rig better.

Best of luck, and let us know what you come up with!

Kate
2O|||||||O6 Rubicon


"Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
question is:

1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
recommend?

2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?

3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
other fog lamp that is working?

4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!

-Chris

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

Hey Chris,

I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
years and this is what I would do.

Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.

If you are dead set against that then:

Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will not
match up correctly.
To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice such
as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted to
make them look right.

If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage. Again,
the right way to go would be through a body shop. If nothing else, they can
put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list of
the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so. Remember
that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.

If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later, it
may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
vehicle's ability to handle another collision.

This would be a great opportunity to replace the rinky dink bumper that
comes on the Jeep with a good one. Though it may cost you a pretty penny,
you could get something that would look better, work better and protect your
rig better.

Best of luck, and let us know what you come up with!

Kate
2O|||||||O6 Rubicon


"Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
question is:

1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
recommend?

2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?

3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
other fog lamp that is working?

4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!

-Chris

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

Hey Chris,

I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
years and this is what I would do.

Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.

If you are dead set against that then:

Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will not
match up correctly.
To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice such
as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted to
make them look right.

If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage. Again,
the right way to go would be through a body shop. If nothing else, they can
put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list of
the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so. Remember
that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.

If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later, it
may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
vehicle's ability to handle another collision.

This would be a great opportunity to replace the rinky dink bumper that
comes on the Jeep with a good one. Though it may cost you a pretty penny,
you could get something that would look better, work better and protect your
rig better.

Best of luck, and let us know what you come up with!

Kate
2O|||||||O6 Rubicon


"Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
question is:

1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
recommend?

2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?

3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
other fog lamp that is working?

4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!

-Chris

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

Hey Chris,

I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
years and this is what I would do.

Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.

If you are dead set against that then:

Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will not
match up correctly.
To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice such
as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted to
make them look right.

If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage. Again,
the right way to go would be through a body shop. If nothing else, they can
put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list of
the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so. Remember
that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.

If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later, it
may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
vehicle's ability to handle another collision.

This would be a great opportunity to replace the rinky dink bumper that
comes on the Jeep with a good one. Though it may cost you a pretty penny,
you could get something that would look better, work better and protect your
rig better.

Best of luck, and let us know what you come up with!

Kate
2O|||||||O6 Rubicon


"Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
question is:

1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
recommend?

2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?

3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
other fog lamp that is working?

4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!

-Chris

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

"Kate" <svtkate@spam.filter> wrote in message
news:OpNyh.1007$O8.677@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
> Hey Chris,
>
> I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
> years and this is what I would do.
>
> Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.
>
> If you are dead set against that then:
>
> Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
> panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will
> not
> match up correctly.
> To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice
> such
> as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted
> to
> make them look right.
>

Yep.

> If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage.
> Again,
> the right way to go would be through a body shop.

Agreed but granted that bumper is basically thick sheetmetal, it doens't
take much to bend it. It comes off with six bolts, four on the top and two
on the bottom. 10 minute job at most.

I'd be more concerned with steering linkage damage if the wheel was hit.

If nothing else, they can
> put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
> sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list
> of
> the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so.

Agreed, a replacement stock bumper and foglights can often be found on eBay
as well.

Remember
> that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.
>
The airbag control module on the TJ is on the transmission hump in front of
the shifter, under the dashboard. There are no sensors in the front bumper
area.

> If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later,
> it
> may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
> vehicle's ability to handle another collision.
>
I'd agree with this, make sure your frame & suspention isn't buggered up.

I am also in metro detroit, shoot me an e-mail at mlmacchiarolo at comcast
dot net. My off-road club members are a gold mine of advice and practical
help...I bet some of them even have some stock parts lying around.
wolverine4wd.org

Good luck and keep warm!

>
> "Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
> Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
> have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
> inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
> to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
> passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
> right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
> fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
> fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
> question is:
>
> 1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
> are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
> recommend?
>
> 2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
> inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?
>
> 3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
> the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
> other fog lamp that is working?
>
> 4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
> places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
> live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
> dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!
>
> -Chris
>
>

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

"Kate" <svtkate@spam.filter> wrote in message
news:OpNyh.1007$O8.677@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
> Hey Chris,
>
> I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
> years and this is what I would do.
>
> Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.
>
> If you are dead set against that then:
>
> Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
> panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will
> not
> match up correctly.
> To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice
> such
> as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted
> to
> make them look right.
>

Yep.

> If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage.
> Again,
> the right way to go would be through a body shop.

Agreed but granted that bumper is basically thick sheetmetal, it doens't
take much to bend it. It comes off with six bolts, four on the top and two
on the bottom. 10 minute job at most.

I'd be more concerned with steering linkage damage if the wheel was hit.

If nothing else, they can
> put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
> sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list
> of
> the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so.

Agreed, a replacement stock bumper and foglights can often be found on eBay
as well.

Remember
> that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.
>
The airbag control module on the TJ is on the transmission hump in front of
the shifter, under the dashboard. There are no sensors in the front bumper
area.

> If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later,
> it
> may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
> vehicle's ability to handle another collision.
>
I'd agree with this, make sure your frame & suspention isn't buggered up.

I am also in metro detroit, shoot me an e-mail at mlmacchiarolo at comcast
dot net. My off-road club members are a gold mine of advice and practical
help...I bet some of them even have some stock parts lying around.
wolverine4wd.org

Good luck and keep warm!

>
> "Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
> Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
> have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
> inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
> to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
> passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
> right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
> fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
> fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
> question is:
>
> 1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
> are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
> recommend?
>
> 2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
> inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?
>
> 3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
> the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
> other fog lamp that is working?
>
> 4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
> places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
> live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
> dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!
>
> -Chris
>
>

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

"Kate" <svtkate@spam.filter> wrote in message
news:OpNyh.1007$O8.677@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
> Hey Chris,
>
> I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
> years and this is what I would do.
>
> Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.
>
> If you are dead set against that then:
>
> Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
> panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will
> not
> match up correctly.
> To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice
> such
> as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted
> to
> make them look right.
>

Yep.

> If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage.
> Again,
> the right way to go would be through a body shop.

Agreed but granted that bumper is basically thick sheetmetal, it doens't
take much to bend it. It comes off with six bolts, four on the top and two
on the bottom. 10 minute job at most.

I'd be more concerned with steering linkage damage if the wheel was hit.

If nothing else, they can
> put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
> sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list
> of
> the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so.

Agreed, a replacement stock bumper and foglights can often be found on eBay
as well.

Remember
> that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.
>
The airbag control module on the TJ is on the transmission hump in front of
the shifter, under the dashboard. There are no sensors in the front bumper
area.

> If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later,
> it
> may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
> vehicle's ability to handle another collision.
>
I'd agree with this, make sure your frame & suspention isn't buggered up.

I am also in metro detroit, shoot me an e-mail at mlmacchiarolo at comcast
dot net. My off-road club members are a gold mine of advice and practical
help...I bet some of them even have some stock parts lying around.
wolverine4wd.org

Good luck and keep warm!

>
> "Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
> Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
> have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
> inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
> to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
> passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
> right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
> fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
> fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
> question is:
>
> 1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
> are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
> recommend?
>
> 2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
> inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?
>
> 3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
> the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
> other fog lamp that is working?
>
> 4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
> places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
> live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
> dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!
>
> -Chris
>
>

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

"Kate" <svtkate@spam.filter> wrote in message
news:OpNyh.1007$O8.677@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
> Hey Chris,
>
> I'm not "one of the guys" but I worked in the body shop industry for many
> years and this is what I would do.
>
> Call your insurance company, pay your deductible and have it fixed.
>
> If you are dead set against that then:
>
> Aftermarket parts are rarely as good quality as OEM when it comes to body
> panels. Often they will not align properly and even at times holes will
> not
> match up correctly.
> To R&I the bumpers and fenders should be pretty easy, even for a novice
> such
> as yourself BUT you will have to have the parts professionally repainted
> to
> make them look right.
>

Yep.

> If the bumper was hit hard enough, you may have hidden frame damage.
> Again,
> the right way to go would be through a body shop.

Agreed but granted that bumper is basically thick sheetmetal, it doens't
take much to bend it. It comes off with six bolts, four on the top and two
on the bottom. 10 minute job at most.

I'd be more concerned with steering linkage damage if the wheel was hit.

If nothing else, they can
> put it up on a rack and measure it out to see if it's still structurally
> sound. Most shops will give you a free estimate, this can give you a list
> of
> the parts you will need to repair it if you're determined to do so.

Agreed, a replacement stock bumper and foglights can often be found on eBay
as well.

Remember
> that there are airbag sensors in the front too, caution is important.
>
The airbag control module on the TJ is on the transmission hump in front of
the shifter, under the dashboard. There are no sensors in the front bumper
area.

> If you repair it yourself, and there is unseen damage or a problem later,
> it
> may void your warranty in some way or another and can even effect the
> vehicle's ability to handle another collision.
>
I'd agree with this, make sure your frame & suspention isn't buggered up.

I am also in metro detroit, shoot me an e-mail at mlmacchiarolo at comcast
dot net. My off-road club members are a gold mine of advice and practical
help...I bet some of them even have some stock parts lying around.
wolverine4wd.org

Good luck and keep warm!

>
> "Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1170968457.493591.291970@j27g2000cwj.googlegr oups.com...
> Hey all Jeep owners...I have a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited....very factory,
> have made no customizations to it thus far. I'm not very mechanically
> inclined, e.g. I don't change my own oil or really do anything myself
> to the Jeep. Last week I hit a patch of ice and slammed the front
> passenger side of the Jeep into a cement wall. It shoved the front-
> right part of the bumper up about 6 inches into the
> fender...basically, that part of the bumper is trashed, and both
> fenders need replaced. The fog light on that side is also broken. My
> question is:
>
> 1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
> are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
> recommend?
>
> 2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
> inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?
>
> 3) It looks like most non-factory bumpers don't have the fog lamps on
> the bumper...so if I went this route, would I just disconnect the
> other fog lamp that is working?
>
> 4) If I don't go the DIY route, I'm having trouble finding service
> places in the area who would do non-Jeep customizations to a Jeep...I
> live metro-Detroit, so obviously there are a lot of Chrysler
> dealerships, but would they only work with factory replacement parts??
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer!
>
> -Chris
>
>

Re: Front bumper and fenders questions
 

On 8 Feb 2007 13:00:57 -0800, "Chris Berninger" <chrisbern@gmail.com> wrote:
>>1) Would you replace the bumper and fenders with the factory stock, or
>>are there better non-Jeep made bumpers out there that you would
>>recommend?

Aftermarket for the bumpers. Get good steel and not that stock crap they use.
Stock for the fenders, since I doubt you want to tube fender it.

>>2) Is it tough to replace a bumper, or could a more mechanically
>>inclined buddy of mine and I pull it off?

10 minutes, and a couple of wrenches is all it takes.
-jenn