Jeep Wrangler Pressurized Water in rear bumper | Effortless ways to make it work

There are different methods of having water stored in your wrangler, including having a water supply tank stored in or on your wrangler. But there is a way to keep water in your wrangler without adding any storage tanks to your wrangler. So, In here we’re going to see how Jeep Wrangler Pressurized Water in rear bumper works.

You can store water in your rear bumper using it as a reservoir. The rear bumper of a jeep should hold about 25 liters of water when properly sealed. To get the water from the rear bumper reservoir, you have to incorporate a pump close to the pool that is activated by the water pressure when the faucet is open.

Thus, it draws no charge from the battery when not in use. This also does not need a switch to turn the pump on and off. The faucet has to be located near the reservoir for maximum pump efficiency.

Install the faucet and gauges on any back panel of your choice, provided that you seal it to prevent the tap and the body panel from rusting. When installing the faucet, ensure it does not go over the fender length.

Table of Contents

How to install pressurized water in your wrangler using the rear bumper as a reservoir?

The below steps will explain to you things on how you can remove the bumper and use it to store extra water in your wrangler.

Removing the rear bumper

Removing the rear bumper. If your wrangler has a tow hitch, remove it first, then remove the 4 bolts at the outer side of the frame that secures the bumper onto the frame on the passenger’s side and on the driver’s side. There are two bolts for each side. Use a impact wrinch to make your job easier.
The other four bolts attach the bumper to the cross member using the mounting tabs. One mounting account is on the driver’s side, and the other is on the passenger side, each with two bolts. Once you remove the bolts and the mounting tabs, pull off the bumper.

Sealing the rear bumper

Sealing the bumper. There are four drain holes along the bottom length of the bumper. You can plug them using stainless steel bolts slightly bigger than the drain holes and silicon.
You can also use plastic glue to spread it around the drain holes and seal it with gorilla tape. Sealing with bolts is better as you can remove them whenever need be.
Drilling inlet and outlet holes. The inlet hole should be drilled to fit a plug. Do not drill the inlet hole without measuring the size of a stopper to prevent the water from spilling.
Drill the inlet hole on either end on the upper side of the bumper. The outlet hole should be drilled somewhere hidden. Such as on the flash end of the bumper close to the fender. Drill the outlet hole to fit a hose that you have for this project.
Test the bumper by plugging the outlet hole and put water through the inlet hole. Once completely filled, plug the inlet hole and check the bumper for any leakages while shaking it.

Installing the Pump

Installing the pump. The best place to install the pump is underneath your wrangler. Near the rear axle on the floorboard, there is nothing that the pump will disturb by being seated there.
Mark the mounting position of the pump’s screw. Drill holes into the floorboard using the same size drill bit like the pump’s screws.
Mount the pump and tighten the screws onto the floorboard using nuts. This is to prevent the pump from falling in case the screws get loose.
The pump has electricals which should be connected to the battery. You can guide the wire through underneath your wrangler, up the engine bay onto the battery.
Remove the battery clamps and connect the pump’s wires onto their respective terminals, then reinstall the battery clamps. Secure the pump’s electrical wires onto other wires running underneath your wrangler using zip ties to prevent them from getting into any moving part.
On the pump, there are two hose mounts. One is supposed to go to the bumper and another to the faucet. Connect the hose going into the tank first and make sure it is of the right length to get into the bumper through the outlet opening.
Decide where you want to have your faucet and gauges will be mounted and mark that area out for cutting depending on the kind of faucet you have. After cutting out, tape the surrounding area around the cutting and spray with the same color as your wrangler. This prevents the exposed metal from rusting.
Pass the bumper hose underneath your wrangler from the pump to the bumper position. Reinstall the bumper and insert the hose through the outlet opening you had made. You can cover the surrounding area around the hose with silicon to prevent leakages when driving your wrangler.
Connect the faucet hose from the pump to the faucet, then fill the tank with water. Open the faucet and see if there are any leaks on the tap. If there are, tighten the hose onto the faucet and reinforce with silicon.
Once you ensure that the pump is working and there are no leakages. Drill the faucet into place and plug the bumper inlet to prevent it from spilling when driving.

Jeep Wrangler Pressurized Water in the rear bumper

Note: When buying a pump, get a pump that is pressure sensitive to pressure figures between 40psi to 45psi. This enables the pumping of water out of the bumper reservoir through the pump to the faucet. If a pressure pump is unavailable, get a pump with a switch. Install the button next to the faucet or somewhere in your wrangler.

This method of having water availability on your wrangler cannot work without a pump since the faucet is higher than the bumper water reservoir.

Pros and cons of having rear bumper pressurized water:

Pros

It is very easy to install.
Does not add much weight to your wrangler as compared to having water tanks in or on your wrangler.
Cost-efficient as you only need a pump and hoses.
Does not take up any space in your wrangler.

Cons

There is a shorter supply of water than having larger water tanks in or on your wrangler.
The bumper is prone to damages from accidents.

Uses

Cleaning equipment after fixing your wrangler.
If you don’t want to enter your wrangler with mud, you can clean your shoes using water from the bumper.
If you don’t have water on your wrangler and you need to refill the window washer water, you can use the water in the bumper reservoir.

Before you convert the bumper into a water reservoir, check the condition of your bumper mounts. The bumper with water might not be heavy, but the bumper mounts will weaken, leading to the bumper falling. You can also rust-proof the mounts and the bolts to ensure they are in good condition constantly.

If the bumper itself has many cracks and dents, consider replacing it. If you seal it, it won’t hold for that long. Ensure your bumper is in good condition before you undertake this.

For older wranglers, you can have an updated wrangler model bumper installed in the place of your old bumper. The difference in production years is not that much, and the bumper might just fit.

Due to the location of the pump, your off-roading capability is limited. The pump might get damaged or scrapped off underneath your wrangler. If the pump is not waterproof, you might damage it by driving through water. Most of these pumps are waterproof, but some aren’t. Ensure that you buy a waterproof pump.

If the water in the rear bumper gets depleted, you can have an extra tank if you need the water, especially when camping. Since the outlet hose from the bumper reservoir to the tank is not permanently fixed.

You can remove the hose from the pump and connect a longer one from a larger water source. Basically, your wrangler is a moving water pump.

You can still have pressurized water on your wrangler if your wrangler’s bumper is not compatible with this method. Install a pump and the faucet hose to the pump.

Have a water source on your wrangler, such as mini tanks. The inlet hose to the water pump goes to these water reservoirs. Just ensure the water tanks are tightly secured wherever you place them to prevent spillage.

Conclusion

Having the rear bumper as the water reservoir provides convenience when you need water. Especially in small amounts such as an after-beach shower, cleaning your hands and tools after fixing your wrangler, and camping for short periods.

This method can serve you for a long just ensure the bumper is leakproof. Seal any leakages when you notice them prevent them from getting more significant. Ensure you rust-proof every panel you cut and any hole you drill into your wrangler. Rust might occur and spread, and you’ll end up incurring more costs fixing the rust.

Wrangler’s body panels are made of solid metal, but it is recommended you use tape around the area you are drilling or cutting to prevent the body panels from cracking.