MetalCloak is an American manufacturer based in California that has been designing and building off-road components exclusively for Jeeps for over two decades. Every part is CAD-engineered, laser cut, welded and finished in-house, and the company backs its structure and coating with a lifetime warranty.

Rear Bumper Reinforcement Frame Brace Kit, Pair - Jeep TJ/LJ Wrangler

Braces that reinforce the rear frame where the bumper mounts. The TJ frame is thin there and often corroded after years - and that is exactly where the load goes when recovering the vehicle by the bumper shackles.

Gold Zinc finish

Steel parts are gold zinc plated. Zinc protects the steel electrochemically even where it is scratched, and the surface stays paintable. On a twenty-year-old Jeep that matters more than on a new one.

Specification

• Braces: 3/16" (4.8 mm) hot rolled steel
• Finish: Gold Zinc
• Fitment: Jeep TJ and LJ Wrangler 1997-2006

What owners say - worth reading

5 reviews averaging 76%. The complaints concern fitment and are consistent:

"I was pretty bummed that I spent $50 to save a little time and then had to grind the tops to clear the body mounts (about .250 material). Then I needed to open the holes up even further than they were to line up with the frame holes. I could have built them myself after this much effort." - 1/5

"Stout. These were a bit tricky to get lined up, but my Jeep is 17 years old. They give me an extra bit of confidence using the shackles on the bumper to pull someone out." - 4/5

Our take: both reviews say the same thing: fitting to an individual vehicle can be demanding. A TJ frame after twenty years, several repairs and possible straightening is rarely at factory dimensions. Plan the installation with room for minor fettling.

Installation

Easy. The manufacturer quotes 10 minutes - in practice, judging by the reviews, allow more.

A note on vehicle age

TJs and LJs are now twenty to nearly thirty years old. Expect seized bolts and corroded frame threads when removing factory parts - soak the joints in penetrant beforehand and use anti-seize on reassembly. Several reviews of TJ parts are really about this rather than about the part.

We import this product directly from the MetalCloak factory in the USA. Please contact us for the current lead time before placing an order.

Warranty and service

MetalCloak backs its products with a lifetime warranty on structure and coating for the original owner. The warranty does not cover accident damage, incorrect installation or owner-performed modifications. As an authorised dealer we handle the whole claim process for you.

Why buy from us

Szekla4x4 is a Jeep-focused shop and workshop. We import MetalCloak parts directly from the manufacturer, advise on the right configuration for your model year and engine, and can fit the part in-house. If you are unsure about fitment for your vehicle, contact us before ordering - a VIN lets us confirm the match.