Vertically Driven Products VDP 31550 Stubby Bumper End Cap

I purchased my 2012 Wrangler used. It had a love tap mark on the end of the bumper that bugged me to no end. I had been looking at these caps for years but the act of cutting off the ends of my bumper was frankly frightening. I finally pulled the trigger on these and it turned out to be the easiest modification I've done on my jeep. All you need is a sharp sawzall blade and some courage. "Just do it"! Great instructions and YouTube videos help as well. Turned out great. The caps are sturdy as a rock. Very thick material. Still can't believe they are only held on by those plastic panel pins. Make my bumper look 1000 times better. A must get item.

I really hate the stock bumper. The last 10 inches are just plastic anyways. The “stubby” caps remove over a foot of the end. I think they are more “mid-length” than “stubby”. You remove a couple inches of the metal underneath as well as a lot of the plastic. The end result is a clean, factory looking bumper that covers over a bit of the tire but does not extend all the way out to the edge of the vehicle. Will I replace the bumper eventually? Yeah, probably. It’s a jeep thing. But for now? No increase in weight, I still have the factory installed winch plate and winch mounted, and I got rid of the ugly giant bits of plastic on the ends of the bumper. These taper nicely and keep the aesthetic.

Very easy to install. Took me less than 30 minutes. You'll need a sawzall with a carbide tipped metal cutting blade, and a drill with a 1/4 inch bit. Mark off your bumper as directed, doesn't matter if it's exactly 3 1/2 because the cap covers it. I used one of my cheap worn out old wood blades to cut the plastic off first. Then cut the metal bumper with the carbide tipped blade. I didn't want to pony up the money for a Diablo or Lenox blade so I got the 3 pack of EZARC carbide blades from Amazon for around 20 bucks. Worked just fine. Used 1 blade for each side and still have an extra left over. Probably could have done it with 1. After cutting, put the caps on and predrill the holes in the remaining plastic of your bumper, pop in the pins and done.

Easy to install. Like some others I cut the plastic part first, the cut the metal about 21/2” for more support. Cut is not critical as the end cap fits over the cut. I got some black caulk for the seams. End caps match the style of the original end caps so they look like they belong. Gave me the clearance I needed and looks good. Hardest part is taking the saw to your bumper.

First let me say what a brilliant and easy fix for a JK Wrangler. I have a 2013 and the design and installation is fairly easy for someone with tool skills. I would have given a 5 star except for a couple of points. First the 2013 and I assume other years of JK's have a valance on the front, you have to remove it and trim it to be able to re-install it, no where in the instructions does it say this. Second, when measuring your cut, it calls for a 3 and 1/2 inch measurement and then cutting to the inside edge of your tape, which I did, and it cut off the bolts that hold the plastic to the steel part of the bumper. No problem, I drilled a couple of holes and put bolts in them. The reality is, measure and cut to the outside of the tape, and you will miss those bolts, trim your valance and you're done, perfect fix.

It's easy to transform the look of your JK. Maybe 45 minutes to do. You need a 1/4" drill and a saws all to chop the ends of the bumper, then I added a little black paint to keep the steel areas from rusting. Then I slid the new ends on and drilled out the holes one at a time. I added the plastic pin to the drilled hole and moved to the next spot. Once I was finished I added a small bead of Permatex 81158 Black Silicone to fill in the space between the old and new bumpers ends. I wiped the bumper with Armour All, stepped away and WOW like a brand new Jeep with a custom bumper. See my pictures. Excellent product. It's CT state legal to do also as I checked with DOT before cutting the bumper.

Great product it worked on our project

If you can use a measuring tape, reciprocating saw and drill then it’s a pc of cake to install. Instructions very clear and it’s about 2 hr job ( I took my time ). I used my grinder to straighten my cuts and took off sharp metal corners. I also painted the raw metal ends to help prevent rusting. A great look without spending a few hundred for a new bumper. Very pleased and satisfied with end results. I would recommend this product and would buy again.

Super easy install. Took about 20 min total and look great. Gave me the clearance i needed and the more factory look i was trying to hold on to. Grazed a few rocks and are still on solid. Great product!

Very easy to install great looks

Love this product super easy to install use a metal fine tooth saws all blade installs in about 15 minutes. Much stronger than the factory bumper you should have no problem one of the best products I’ve ever bought off Amazon.

Okay - lets start with some history. Bought a 2nd hand Jeep, the bumper was already cut (way too short) then these instructions direct you too. Okay... was hesitant going into ordering these already knowing that but wanted a more finished look on the bumper without ordering a full after market bumper... so took the chance. I just finished installing and my end result is sufficient. I did fill the bumper with car body bondo though to harden the area to give some more stability to the plastic pins this product comes with and applied super glue to them to set into the bondo... I mean its probably not going to withstand a major impact, but would it matter anyways? No one wants a impact like that regardless. The color is off a bit so I might repaint the slightly older sun faded factory bumper or not... who knows. Just a little info for those looking at this product themselves.

Not bad but definitely overpriced.