Install a Pressurized Water System on Your Car Bumper

When you get a new jeep from the dealership, you have certain expectations. Good off-road performance and a rugged look are given, but if you want, say, running water seamlessly integrated into your bumper, you will have to add that yourself.

EMT, firefighter, and self-trained “hobbyist engineer” Ed Zarick decided to add this feature to his jeep, and takes us through the process of of adding this excellent accessory in the video below. Zarick lives in southwestern Florida, and although he doesn’t recommend drinking the water out of this bumper-reservoir (which amazingly holds around 7 gallons), it’s great for a short freshwater shower after diving in the ocean.

The build starts off by removing the bumper and plugging the drain holes to make it into a secure tank for the water. A pump made by ShurFlo is then installed under the jeep to get the water from the tank to the to-be-installed nozzle hookup. This pump is designed so that when there is too much back pressure (when the nozzle is closed), it shuts off, eliminating the need for an external electronic switch.

Once this pump is installed, the real nerve-wracking part of the build starts at around 10:00: cutting into a nearly immaculate 2015 model yellow jeep’s body. Zarick recommends taking your time with this process and using a rotary tool. He also notes that if you let it get too hot, the paint will start to peel over itself. Personally, I might start with an older vehicle, but he seems to know what he’s doing!

Once this is done, his custom laser-cut fixtures are then installed and used to hold the water nozzle. As you might notice, there is a currently unused air fitting next to the water line. This will be a future project for Zarick, and it will be really great to see it implemented. There will definitely be no more excuses for having too little air in his tires after it’s functional!