I did the same with the 2" long pipe nipples on my '01, except I used 1/4" diameter nipples, so that the the bolt filled most of the interior of the nipple, allowing less room for the nipple to shift around. I believe the smaller diameter nipple required a couple of extra washers, directly above and below the nipple though, due to the larger diameter of the bolt holes in the braces. I left the corner braces (support rods) just tucked up in the well somewhere, temporarily....until I ordered the Shrock bumper, that is.