Rubicon E-Disco flip (Cheap)

[Badpunkin]

I recently had my front bumper off and decided to flip the electronic sway bar disconnect motor for better clearance and protection. There are a few write ups out that involve welding, cutting and drilling. Those are way to involved for what I had in mind. the total cost on this was less than $2.

1. Remove your front bumper (and shroud if you have it).



2. With the motor exposed remove the electrical connection. I did not get pictures of this, but the locking mechanism is fragile and needs to be pulled all the way across the plug.

3. Remove the bolt form the rubber isolator gasket that holds the motor in place.



4. Rotate the motor, be careful around the radiator. Some people reported a need to cut the plastic shroud below the radiator, I was able to push it up and squeeze by.



5. Wiggle the motor around until you find the housing bolt that lines up with the rubber gasket. Then remove it.

6. Go to your local supply store and get a M10-1.50 x 75 grade 5 bolt ($1.66 from Lowes). Note: a M10-1.50 x 100 may be a better fit, you can see in the pics that the 75 was a bit short.

7. Place the new bolt through the isolator gasket and tighten it into the housing where you previously removed the bolt.







8. Reconnect the electrical and test that your motor is still functional. When disconnected you should be able to move the sides independantly. When connected (the default mode you drive around in) the sides should move together. Testing may require that you wiggle the sway bar to connect and disconnect.

9. Re-install your bumper, and if you had the plastic shroud throw it away.



BP

[Bustedujoint]

Awesome write up! Bonus for sub $2!

[Settle]

Do you or anyone else for that matter think this could be done with your bumper on?

[Badpunkin]

I couldn't, the hole on top would be inaccessible.

[Settle]

Dang it. That's what I figured. This thing is so heavy I need a cherry picker to get it off.

[Rooster76]

Thanks for posting. I really appreciate all the pictures. It beats paying someone $20 for a kit because you don't know what size bolt to get. I'm going to do this when I put a new bumper on. I have seen with the 3.6L pentastars that there is an extra step becides possiblly needing to trim the radiator plastic trim. There is a metal steering line tube down by the bottom of the radiator. People have pushed/bent slightly, that up to be able to get it to rotate all the way.
Here is a link to what I'm talking about with pictures
Problem
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/kra...ml#post3232197
Fixed with a slight bend
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/kra...ml#post3232483

[rsbmg]

I had to "unflip" my motor when I bought a new bumper/winch (rough country bumper/TJM winch). With it flipped it wouldn't fit. Just a word of caution for some that it might effect. Going to an antirock or something down the road. I should add I have a 2013 also so couldn't rotate as far as someone with say a 2011 or earlier. So this is more geared towards someone with my model year.

[604_yamamoto]

I tried this and could not get past the radiator lower plastic shroud. I have my stock bumper on, and no issues accessing anything. Plastic lower air damn and upper bumper spacer are gone. I would rather not have to cut the rad shroud. Any tips on how you pushed it up to squeeze by??? I'm going crazy trying to figure it out.

[Badpunkin]

I tried this and could not get past the radiator lower plastic shroud. I have my stock bumper on, and no issues accessing anything. Plastic lower air damn and upper bumper spacer are gone. I would rather not have to cut the rad shroud. Any tips on how you pushed it up to squeeze by??? I'm going crazy trying to figure it out.

What year?

[Bish11]

Think you could undo the 4 bolts holding it to the frame, flip, and reinstall?