Fitting number plate bracket for small lightbar

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I have been looking at mounting a small lightbar to a bracket mounted to the front numberplate.

the self tappers just screw into the plastic front bumper sop have no hope of holding a lightbar's weight - even on bitumen, let alone corrugations. So, what I need to do is put a backing plate behind the bumper and bolt the bracket through the plastic bumper to it.

How do I (easily) get to the back of the number plate to do this? Any ideas? Is there an easy way to get into the space between the radiator and the grill?

Also, which wire do you use as a trigger for the relay? I remember it was posted a while ago, but I have been digging, and I can't find it...

Cheers
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[imaz]

Take off the bumper cover, it is very simple, Possibly 1 screw on each fender and a few plastic rivits, then the whole thing unclips and drops off.

[croweater]

... and I'd check to see if you can trigger the light bar off the high beam circuit in QLD. I've heard somewhere it's illegal without an isolation switch.

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Imaz

Thank you. So, a trip to SuperCheap for some plastic rivets?

Croweater

It is illegal everywhere to not have a cut off switch and relay to high beam. The trick is finding the high beam trigger... Mine is a 2017 MY15.

Cheers
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[imaz]

Not sure if Supercheap have them. I picked up some plastic christmas tree's in leiu. One of those things if it holds in fine, you'd forget to replace it correctly.

Or should I say, I'll leave it as it is in case I need to take the bumper cover off again...

[GCDingo]

Get a set of plastic trim removal tools and you can those pushlock rivets things out without damaging them or just do what I did and buy 100 on ebay and throw them out every once in a while. Or splash out and buy this kit
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Push-Riv...x4bx:rk:3:pf:0

Bumper removal is easy and only a couple of minutes once you have done it. It can be done with the wheels on, just turn them one way and then the other. You just remove the 2 plastic rivets on each side in wheel wells and then right up in the corner at very edge of bumper where it meets the guard there is a sneaky bolt in there. Think it is 10mm socket from memory. Undo the couple of rivets above the radiator, remove the number plate and there are finally 2 more screws there. That might actually be a nice strong fixing to mount your light bar. It's just then a matter of moving your number plate a bit. There are 5 quarter turn fixings up underneath that hold the bottom of the bumper on. They have to be removed also if you want to just remove the airdam for 4wding.

Once all the fixings are removed, just gently lift up the part above the radiator and then pull outwards at either side of bumper (at the wings I guess) if that makes sense? Whole lot will come off. Oh yeh you have t slightly pull the flare surround out where it goes over the bumper. Bit confusing but pretty sure WK2 jeep site has a how to or jeep garage would surely.

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GCDingo

Thanks for the very detailed reply. I'll give it a go! If you see a GC driving around Melbourne with no front bumper, you will know I half failed...

Cheers
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