Bumper Analysis Paralysis! HELP!

[Zero_Accel]

Personally, I have the Poison Spyder Bruzier bumper on my truck. While I have absolutely no complaints about it (it came with the truck after all!), and I over all like the look, its not my first choice, it sticks out a crazy distance. And its VERY HEAVY.

If you want to keep things light without breaking the bank by going aluminum, Barnes 4x4 makes a sweet tubular style bumper that only weighs 61 lbs. Pritchett Canyon Bumper. You can even keep your Mojave skid plate if you want, although you'll need to figure out a replacement for your fogs, like after market LED cubes on top of the bumper, using the factory fog connection. You'll also need to paint/powdercoat/bedline the bumper (your preference). (@Mojave40 I've borrowed one of your pics for this!)

Another popular option is the Arcus Bumper, at 74 lbs, although I'm not that familiar with it.

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[Challenger85]

You might need to give a little more information about how you use your Gladiator. You have a Mojave, do you play mostly in the sand or do you do light/medium/hardcore trails? Is there anything you have done that makes you hang up on your current bumper?

I went with Rugged Ridge Arcus stubby bumper for looks and more open front end for trails. Quite a few people have it and have had good experience. Comes with a beefy winch plate, but I have also seen some run without a winch.

I am waiting for the install of my lift next week before I install mine, or I would show you pictures.

It would be mostly sand, dirt and light/medium trails. Not rock climbing. Nothing I’ve done yet has been an issue. The change is between aesthetics and because I like the added safety of metal over plastic.

 

[Challenger85]

Also check with your insurance company if your covered if you experience a frontal impact and you’ve altered your bumper. Reason I say is because your vehicle is made to accordion or crumple which is also engineered to reduce impact stress on the driver/passenger/others and if the front is made “solid” with a nice heavy steel bumper, the people inside will be the next ones to feel the impact, which may then cause an injury claim where there may not have been one if the vehicle could ….smush,… if you know what I mean.

I hit an Elk doing 100kms/h on the highway with my last truck and I didn’t have a big solid steel bumper and the impact was so soft, I didn’t feel it nor spilled my coffee. The front of the truck was pushed right in and the air bags didn’t even go off. 30k cad in damage and written off.

Now however, if the front of the truck was all steel,…the shock of the crash would have transferred into me instead. My truck would most likely driven away from the scene but I would have been a mess.

I then later read up on aftermarket steel bumpers and insurance claims and some will not cover an insurance claim. I love the look of these bumpers, just make a call to see how they view covering claims after this change.

I’m definitely going to ask, thank you! Damn that accident is brutal!

 

[Challenger85]

I think full width bumpers that cover the tire a bit might help MPG a bit ,stubby bumpers are better for hard core wheeling. Being a weight weenie is not a bad thing, a lot of guys put 200 plus pounds on front of Jeep when doing a winch and bumper, then they are putting spacers in to help recover the sag. Barricade and Gen Rite are two companies making aluminum bumpers. Finish is a tough thing, I put a winch on my Mojave and used a LOD winch plate the powder coat was tough and didn’t scratch even banging on it, other products I have bought including my side steps are rusting a bit, that sucks. This Mojave is my second Jeep with a winch, I am using it to pull trees out of my land and I spend most of my time surf fishing on the beach in Spring and Fall ,might be nice for self rescue but have not got myself stuck in like 40 years, but do pull people out almost every year. I will say think about what you really need, is a winch and lights really needed or just for looks? The Mojave is a hell of a capable Jeep anywhere, most people think it is only for blasting in sand, but it is great at most things, but will not beat a Rubicon with both rears locked in low range, and sway bar disconnected, although Apex and many others have simple options for the sway bar.
Good luck with your search, you have hundreds of options and opinions!…..Jack

Interesting I never really thought about the aerodynamic properties of a bumper lol. I’ve got a 2” lift so sag shouldn’t be an issue. Rusting is what makes me nervous but I guess it’s just what it is. I’ll check out though companies though! Thanks!!

 

[Challenger85]

I have a Rugged Ridge Arcus, it looks phenomenal, but I don't think I'd recommend it. The powder coat is very thin and even during install you'll inevitably scrape it off in at least a few spot. It'll rust in those spots. We finally had rain in the desert this year, and I have small spots with rust after it being on here for less than 6 months.

6 months?!? Wow

 

[Challenger85]

Two options to consider Westin full width on the left (JT) Rugged Ridge HD Stubby on right (JL)

I like the right one!

 

[Challenger85]

It really boils down to;

A.) How do you plan on using your JT

2.) Is this REALLY just about aesthetics?

If it's mostly for looks and you're staying on the road 99.99% of the time, get a full width to keep as much of your MPG's as you can. You can get aluminum to save weight but lose money.

If you're going off road anywhere near 50% of the time and you're going to be climbing obstacles, you need a stubby.

Some sand, some trails. Not sure if a winch is necessary but im not sure I’d like to find out the hard way. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t about aesthetics, it is. Off road a lot yes, climbing? Not as much.

 

[Challenger85]

Lots of great choices. I agree with the weight comments. Had both an ARB and the stock metal rubicon bumper on my JK. Wish I never sold the stock metal bumper to add the ARB. Its lighter, can add a winch if you want, lots of accessories from Maximus3, ends are removable and it looks good. My two cents are to find a take off metal bumper and toss that on there. Really no bad choices and you will pick the one that is best for you!

I like the stock bumper but hate the plastic. I’ve looked for a take off but haven’t caught any on Facebook nearby yet.

 

[Challenger85]

Stubbly are illegal in some states, you might be OK in Colorado. I have the Barns Pritchett Canyon bumper on a Mojave. You can use your factory Mojave skid plate no prob. It looks like it just belongs on a Mojave. Build quality was outstanding, made in Utah right nextdoor to you. There are so many to choose from it can be overwhelming.

I’ll have to research that thanks, these are things I’d never even consider! I do like that bumper! I’m overwhelmed for sure lol, there’s too many. It’s like rims all over again. I find one I love and then I incessantly keep searching for something else to confirm I like what I already like.

 

[Challenger85]

Hard to beat the fab Fours stubby . With or without hoop. It's strong , very well made and coated . It's a flat top so it looks good with or without a winch ( no giant hole ) . It's pretty light for what it is too. The price and availability is also pretty attractive. I have purchased and installed one on our JL and one on our JT .

Ill check it out! Thank you!

 

[Challenger85]

Personally, I have the Poison Spyder Bruzier bumper on my truck. While I have absolutely no complaints about it (it came with the truck after all!), and I over all like the look, its not my first choice, it sticks out a crazy distance. And its VERY HEAVY.

If you want to keep things light without breaking the bank by going aluminum, Barnes 4x4 makes a sweet tubular style bumper that only weighs 61 lbs. Pritchett Canyon Bumper. You can even keep your Mojave skid plate if you want, although you'll need to figure out a replacement for your fogs, like after market LED cubes on top of the bumper, using the factory fog connection. You'll also need to paint/powdercoat/bedline the bumper (your preference). (@Mojave40 I've borrowed one of your pics for this!)

Another popular option is the Arcus Bumper, at 74 lbs, although I'm not that familiar with it.

I like the first bumper but my garage barely fits my JT now so clearance is a concern for me. I gotta keep it around stockish for how far it sticks out. I like both of the other 2 though! Thanks! I’ll have to ask my wife…she didn’t even like the truck to begin with but now she insists on helping me pick a bumper lol. Can’t be mad at that though!

 

[Zero_Accel]

I like the first bumper but my garage barely fits my JT now so clearance is a concern for me. I gotta keep it around stockish for how far it sticks out. I like both of the other 2 though! Thanks! I’ll have to ask my wife…she didn’t even like the truck to begin with but now she insists on helping me pick a bumper lol. Can’t be mad at that though!

If you like the first option, these two were on my short list as a replacement incase my Jeep doesn't fit in my garage (once I have one). Although these are pushing your budget, I think they're well worth it.

Mountain off road Rock Proof Bumper (You can keep your fogs too!)

American Trail Products Fully Loaded Mid-Width Bumper (Once again, you'll need to figure out lights)

Also, with the Arcus bumper, you can replace the horns with regular D-ring attachments to shorten the length a bit.

 

[XJFanatic]

I like the right one!

I prefer it as well but the two Jeeps are being built for different things. Figured the full width was a better choice for the long term plan in the JT. Plus it was dirt cheap on FB.

One thing to consider is the RR HD is actually pretty light for a steel bumper. Supposedly it used a stronger alloy that allows them to make it thinner. Alls I know is it scratched but didn’t dent as used it to ramp the front over rocks last week.

 

[Challenger85]

If you like the first option, these two were on my short list as a replacement incase my Jeep doesn't fit in my garage (once I have one). Although these are pushing your budget, I think they're well worth it.

Mountain off road Rock Proof Bumper (You can keep your fogs too!)

American Trail Products Fully Loaded Mid-Width Bumper (Once again, you'll need to figure out lights)

Also, with the Arcus bumper, you can replace the horns with regular D-ring attachments to shorten the length a bit.

I dig the first one! I should add it’s not a DD so this is a weekend fun vehicle so MPG while obviously beneficial isn’t the end of the world. I think some of the things I probably want are the ability to use fogs, OEM if I can because they weren’t cheap and they work well! I’d like to be able to add lighting somehow, the bars give me that option. I do plan on fishing early mornings so lights up front help with seeing and I figured would be beneficial for camping.

 

[Challenger85]

I prefer it as well but the two Jeeps are being built for different things. Figured the full width was a better choice for the long term plan in the JT. Plus it was dirt cheap on FB.

One thing to consider is the RR HD is actually pretty light for a steel bumper. Supposedly it used a stronger alloy that allows them to make it thinner. Alls I know is it scratched but didn’t dent as used it to ramp the front over rocks last week.

Totally understandable! I did wonder if I got something that was cheaper if I could just have it powder coated thicker to last longer.

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