1. Full System Installation
4xGuard Matrix
Full System Installation
Step by Step by
Chirpz

2. It took me a long time to decide to bite the bullet and purchase the
4xGuard Matrix system. It is not the cheapest system out there.
Perhaps not even the strongest. I chose it for several reasons:
1. I just like the way it looks. It is a nice blend of good looks and
function.
2. It goes with my other 4xGuard choices
3. It has a front receiver hitch
4. It is a “bolt on” system.... no drilling required
I'm not going to argue the good or bad of it. You look at the
various systems out there, and make your own choice. If you
choose the 4xGuard system, then this guide may help you
install it. It is not intended to be a substitute for using the directions
that are supplied with the gear. Read the directions.

3. I ordered the system online from JBA Offroad
I ordered the system online from JBA Offroad. They shipped it out quickly.
There are 5 boxes in the full meal deal. This pictures shows 3 of them.
The packaging was professional and secure. Everything arrived safe and
secure. Disposing of the packaging was the only problem because there
is a lot of it. Those foam pads squish down pretty thin but then they re-expand
pretty quickly. The re-cycle people in our county won't take them so we have
to stuff them in the garbage a few at a time.
Flatten your boxes
and use them as
a padding to work
on as you install
your system. This
will help avoid
scratches.

4. I ordered the FULL matrix system that includes everything
I ordered the FULL matrix system that includes everything. If you order less, your installation will be similar but not exactly the same. Some parts are not used when you have the full system.
Most important, if your Jeep does NOT have the OEM tow hooks, you will need to order an extra part and you will have to remove your front facia. Since my Jeep DID have the hooks, I did not have to do this. So... if you have to go that route, you are on your own for that aspect of the install. The instructions included with the package are adequate.

5. If you have a 4xGuard Front Guard, remove it
If you have a 4xGuard Front Guard, remove it. It is held on with 4 - 3/4” bolts.
Do not remove the mounting brackets that it attaches to....just remove the
big plate.

6. Remove your license plate, and then remove your tow hooks
Remove your license plate, and then remove your tow hooks. The hooks are held on with 3 stud bolts and nuts. Two of the nuts are easily seen and can be removed with a ratchet and extension. I was temped to remove a piece of chrome trim but was able to flex it out of the way enough to remove the nuts. (I sprayed all the nuts with penetrating oil a day in advance.)
Chrome Trim
Two easy
nuts

7. Three puny bolts hold the lower part of your plastic facia.
Remove them, but save them.
(Picture shows only two, I'm sure you will find them all)

8. Lay on your back, pull the loose facia forward a little and you will see the
hidden nuts that hold the hooks. I used a ratchet and long extension to
remove them. All the hook nuts are very tight!
Hidden
Nut

9. Set you hooks aside. If you are lucky, you can find someone to buy them.
In the photo below, you can easily see the layout of the mounting holes.

10. This picture shows one inside and one outside mounting bracket
This picture shows one inside and one outside mounting bracket. All parts are clearly
identified with stamped part numbers. “Outside” means the bracket that is closest to
the tire. “Inside” means the bracket that is closest to the centerline of the Jeep.
These are the brackets
for the passenger side
of the Jeep. If you ordered the FULL matrix system, you will discard the two inside brackets.
Discard Inside brackets
Install the outside brackets
using two nuts. I used the
nuts that I removed from the
hooks. Leave the nuts a
little loose for now.
Outside bracket
install these
Inside bracket is NOT used
with the receiver kit.
Front of Jeep

11. To install the outside bracket, just slip it over the two outside studs where the tow
hooks were attached and hold them on with two nuts, barely snug.
This picture shows the passenger side outside bracket installed. Remove the stud bolts that were used in the third hole of the hooks. There is one on each side of the Jeep. Just give them a good whack!
Outside Bracket
Remove studs
one on each
side
Front of Jeep
Two Nuts

12. Next you need to insert these backer plates into this hole.
One plate goes on each side and they are “handed.”
This hole is on the passenger side. The plate below is
oriented properly to fit into the big hole and line up with the
bolt holes.
The little knobs face upward
so the plate lays flat.
Left access hole
Left backer

13. Position the “Receiver” in place and attach it to the cross frame with 4 bolts.
Leave all the bolts a little loose until everything is assembled after which we
will have a final tightening.
Place the heavy main bracket on the outside of the outside bracket making a steel
sandwich and secure all three pieces with 3 large bolts. Leave them a little loose.
Large Bracket Bolts
Steel sandwich
with the “outside”
bracket in the middle
Cross frame bolts
If you are not using the
receiver hitch, the
“Inside Bracket” previously
shown goes here.

14. This shows the driver side steel sandwich
This shows the driver side steel sandwich. Notice that the long leg of the main
bracket goes under the front of the Jeep. The short leg sticks up in front.
Main Bracket
Outside Bracket
Notice that the
Main Bracket fits
OUTSIDE of the
“outside bracket”
Steel Sandwich
Receiver Mount

15. Receiver kit
Steel Sandwich
Notice that the thick main brackets go to the extreme outside of everything.

16. Now you need to fully assemble the complete super-structure of the Matrix System.
Attach the center trim to the risers using 4 bolts, two each side. Fully tighten them
to 30 pounds. Use your padding to avoid scratches.
Bolts

17. Attach the top hoop to the top of the risers.
Inside bolt
Attach the top hoop to the top of the risers.
One bolt threads in from the inside of the riser on
each side. One bolt is visible from the front.
(Note – in this photo I have the hoop turned
the wrong way...just flip it.)

18. Outside bolt for the hoop.
You can fully tighten the
hoop bolts now.
Attach the brush guard rails with
one bolt through the top hole from
the back side. Fully tighten it but
make sure that the other two holes
line up. You should now have the
complete super-structure assembled.
Line these up but leave them empty

19. Place the fully assembled
super-structure over the thick main
brackets and bolt in place with
two bolts per side. Make them
snug but not fully tight.

20. Stand back and line everything up making little adjustments where needed.
Make sure the brush rails look good. Make sure your hoop is not touching
the body. Snug the four side bolts. Then beginning at the bottom, tighten
everything to the proper torque. Re-check the alignment as you go.

21. Oops! I threw away the directions. This is a delimma. I'm old and now
I have to remember something.
As I recall, the medium size bolts and nuts that secure to the original hook studs
are 65 pounds. All the receiver bolts are also 65 pounds.
The big bolts on the steel sandwich are 70 pounds. Double check them all
several times.
The small super-structure bolts are 30 pounds.
Consult your directions to make sure that I stating the torques correctly.
Replace the 3 puny bolts that
secure the plastic facia bottom.
Reinstall your 4xGuard Front Guard

22. You did it. Only one thing remains
You did it!! Only one thing remains. Get yourself a nice bow shackle to fit
into that receiver and you are ready to pull anybody out of the muck.