Knock Off Rubi Bumper with SB 12k

[India-ThreeZeroThree]

In case anyone was wondering :

Bumper is a knock off Rubi steel from eBay. The steel parts are near identical to real one. Where it cheapens out is coating and fasteners and the plastic thingies, whatever they are called.

It came with winch mount which looks and is flimsy. So yeah, don’t go cheap unless it’s only for looks to have a winch

Winch mount
Warn. It fits. It’s thicker and more steel.

Winch
12k whatever gen3 smittybilt with rope. Also made in China

I swapped in my stock tow hooks. The knock off ones use same size bolts and is thicker. Might be better, who knows? But the bolts didn’t give me a good feeling. Stock was longer.

Winch barely fits. No room in back and toddler finger space in front. So yeah, tons of fun getting that hawse fair lead on.

Everything went on no problem. Didn’t have to enlarge anything. The fog lights I had to use washers on the bottom bolt to get them pointed down sufficiently. The fog lights came with the bumper. I’ll use them until they crap out them get something better.

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[Jefe1018]

There are several threads on this type of bumper. From what I gather, it is a fraction of the OEM cost and you can fix all those issues pretty easily if you are creative. Happy bumpering!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, everything can be taken care of.
I stripped and replated the bolts in black zinc.
I stripped and plated the clip nuts in yellow zinc. (the spacers in the picture are for alternators I am restoring, plated those, too)
I stripped the bumper and all parts and it's now wearing a new coat of textured powder coat.
The fog light bezels can be bought new - genuine MOPAR parts, for about $16 each.
The holes for sensors can be plugged with inexpensive plugs from Amazon (and they actually look good in there, too, IMO)
Still under the cost of a new MOPAR bumper.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

There was so much love on here for these Chinese bumpers I tried one. I hit a deer and needed a replacement bumper. I didn't care for it. It came rusted and developed more rust at the speed of light, I could have removed it and stripped everything and do it all over, but it would still suck IMHO. I couldn't believe how hideous it looked, it actually looks like a cheap Chinese knock off. I sold it really cheap on here with factory led fogs and factory hooks and I felt guilty because it's such a POS, the buyer was happy and that's what counts I guess. I bought a Barns Pritchett Canyon bumper, it came raw and no rust. I rattle canned that bad boy and couldn't be happier.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There was so much love on here for these Chinese bumpers I tried one. I hit a deer and needed a replacement bumper. I didn't care for it. It came rusted and developed more rust at the speed of light, I could have removed it and stripped everything and do it all over, but it would still suck IMHO. I couldn't believe how hideous it looked, it actually looks like a cheap Chinese knock off. I sold it really cheap on here with factory led fogs and factory hooks and I felt guilty because it's such a POS, the buyer was happy and that's what counts I guess. I bought a Barns Pritchett Canyon bumper, it came raw and no rust. I rattle canned that bad boy and couldn't be happier.

If you hit a deer around here you'd need more than a bumper replacement.
It's a given when hitting something of that mass there'd be damage.
I got really curious after people kept insisting it couldn't be the same as factory - I measured mine in several places and I went to the local dealer and checked a Rubicon with the factory steel bumper. I didn't find and appreciable difference in the thickness.
Of course the factory finish is a lot thicker, but accounting for that, I didn't see a difference in the steel itself.
If you had to replace the one you had, you'd have had to replace the factory bumper too.
You'd not have been happy with anything other than an extremely heavy-built after-market bumper is how I'd see it.

Mine waited 2 years to rust, and even then, after 2 Iowa winters with the salt and brine, I didn't see the rust until I took the bumper off my 2020 to trade trucks. The rust was inside, on the bottom, where the shell meets the brackets that hold it on. Makes sense - it's where snow, salt and slush can sit against the point those two parts meet and likely one rubbed the finish off the other, or off each other. Solution - strip, blast, powder coat.

Mine had a couple of "high points" where the press die were likely not accurate. It was at the top right where the "wings" or ends meet the main part of the bumper, where the edge of the ends would hit and rub the finish. I tried knocking them down with my anvil and big hammer. No luck, I ended up grinding them down a bit. Based on the way it cut and the sparks, it's the same stuff MOPAR uses for the Jeep skid plates. It cuts, grinds and files the same.

Anyway, Other than the finish, the fit where the ends bolted on, and the holes for the sensors, I found no real difference. I figure it's going to handle any hit the same as a stock factory bumper would. And now that it's got a good solid finish on it, I expect it will last as long as any factory bumper.
Perfect - no, there's some inaccuracies in the fit here and there, minor stuff - screw holes could be punched better, those high points I knocked down and took care of (after finding I couldn't hammer them down) and the finish is bad, but mine is well worth putting back onto the new truck, especially now with the new finish.

Factory MOPAR of course would be better - holes punched better, smoother, pressing more accurate, the ends would likely fit better, and of course the finish on the steel and the finish on the bolts (although the socket head or button head screws were actually really good for the most part, it was the hex head bolts that rusted)

If you hit a deer here, you'd be replacing hood, maybe grill, and possible windshield unless your truck is lifted more than a couple of inches. They only ding bumpers here. Their body hits well above the bumper, and hit a buck, look for antlers in your face.
A friend hit 3 at once with his Eagle SX4. Dented his roof a tiny bit, wiped out his hood and left fender going over the car and those cars sit as high as an SUV. Only one of them went under - the younger one and it ripped his exhaust off the car. Bumper - undamaged.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

If you hit a deer around here you'd need more than a bumper replacement.
It's a given when hitting something of that mass there'd be damage.
I got really curious after people kept insisting it couldn't be the same as factory - I measured mine in several places and I went to the local dealer and checked a Rubicon with the factory steel bumper. I didn't find and appreciable difference in the thickness.
Of course the factory finish is a lot thicker, but accounting for that, I didn't see a difference in the steel itself.
If you had to replace the one you had, you'd have had to replace the factory bumper too.
You'd not have been happy with anything other than an extremely heavy-built after-market bumper is how I'd see it.

Mine waited 2 years to rust, and even then, after 2 Iowa winters with the salt and brine, I didn't see the rust until I took the bumper off my 2020 to trade trucks. The rust was inside, on the bottom, where the shell meets the brackets that hold it on. Makes sense - it's where snow, salt and slush can sit against the point those two parts meet and likely one rubbed the finish off the other, or off each other. Solution - strip, blast, powder coat.

Mine had a couple of "high points" where the press die were likely not accurate. It was at the top right where the "wings" or ends meet the main part of the bumper, where the edge of the ends would hit and rub the finish. I tried knocking them down with my anvil and big hammer. No luck, I ended up grinding them down a bit. Based on the way it cut and the sparks, it's the same stuff MOPAR uses for the Jeep skid plates. It cuts, grinds and files the same.

Anyway, Other than the finish, the fit where the ends bolted on, and the holes for the sensors, I found no real difference. I figure it's going to handle any hit the same as a stock factory bumper would. And now that it's got a good solid finish on it, I expect it will last as long as any factory bumper.
Perfect - no, there's some inaccuracies in the fit here and there, minor stuff - screw holes could be punched better, those high points I knocked down and took care of (after finding I couldn't hammer them down) and the finish is bad, but mine is well worth putting back onto the new truck, especially now with the new finish.

Factory MOPAR of course would be better - holes punched better, smoother, pressing more accurate, the ends would likely fit better, and of course the finish on the steel and the finish on the bolts (although the socket head or button head screws were actually really good for the most part, it was the hex head bolts that rusted)

If you hit a deer here, you'd be replacing hood, maybe grill, and possible windshield unless your truck is lifted more than a couple of inches. They only ding bumpers here. Their body hits well above the bumper, and hit a buck, look for antlers in your face.
A friend hit 3 at once with his Eagle SX4. Dented his roof a tiny bit, wiped out his hood and left fender going over the car and those cars sit as high as an SUV. Only one of them went under - the younger one and it ripped his exhaust off the car. Bumper - undamaged.

I live in a rainforest so as far as rust is concerned I put everything through a pretty harsh environment.

I replaced the bumper, grill, AC condenser, led headlights, that's all I can think of right now. I didn't hit at full speed, I was able to break for a second. Was a beautiful deer, she was thick.

 

[tonywin]

Do you need the skid plate mount to attach the Warn winch plate? Mine originally didn't come with a steel skid plate so I know i need to at least get the rivnut and screws. But the Warn directions show the skid plate mount is sandwiched between the Warn bracket and the frame rail.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I live in a rainforest so as far as rust is concerned I put everything through a pretty harsh environment.

I replaced the bumper, grill, AC condenser, led headlights, that's all I can think of right now. I didn't hit at full speed, I was able to break for a second. Was a beautiful deer, she was thick.

Yeah, I see your location, the absolutely beautiful Pacific NW. Cruised by there 3 or so years ago.

Other deer always look so - short - when I see pics of them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Going back on, but what a pain - things have changed with the trucks just a bit, and the Bulldog winch plate really drops that winch down. Don't like it at all but it's what I have now. Have to cut the clutch lever back again because this winch plate drops the winch about 1" compared to the other I had. May be a problem with rope feed through the bumper it sits so low and makes the winch bolts come almost to the top of the receiver I have on the front. Why do they make it so so low?

 

[MudderNuker]

Received my knock off bumper today. The packaging was very good. No shipping damage from what I can see. The finish looks great. My only concern is the winch plate which seems a little thin but I think it will work. Wife won't approve me buying a plate. I think I got a killer deal. The bumper was on sale on ebay 5% off. I had it in my cart for a few days when I received an email offer from ebay with a 20% off coupon. I tried using it with the bumper and it worked. I ended paying $314 with taxes. The coupon could be used 2 times so I tried using it on a Hooke Road bed rack and it worked. Got two great deals that day. About the only thing I am thinking about doing is buying the fog lights wiring harness so I don't have to remove the old one. Shadow do you have the part number? I also found a slightly used skid plate for $80 on ebay. I bought knock off brackets and the river nuts, and all booked from Amazon. I already have the rivnut tool. I went by the list on Just for Jeeps (I think) bracket bundle. I saved about $50 versus ordering from them since their shipping was about $20. Waiting on the Warn Evo 10s I ordered so I can install the bumper.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Received my knock off bumper today. The packaging was very good. No shipping damage from what I can see. The finish looks great. My only concern is the winch plate which seems a little thin but I think it will work. Wife won't approve me buying a plate. I think I got a killer deal. The bumper was on sale on ebay 5% off. I had it in my cart for a few days when I received an email offer from ebay with a 20% off coupon. I tried using it with the bumper and it worked. I ended paying $314 with taxes. The coupon could be used 2 times so I tried using it on a Hooke Road bed rack and it worked. Got two great deals that day. About the only thing I am thinking about doing is buying the fog lights wiring harness so I don't have to remove the old one. Shadow do you have the part number? I also found a slightly used skid plate for $80 on ebay. I bought knock off brackets and the river nuts, and all booked from Amazon. I already have the rivnut tool. I went by the list on Just for Jeeps (I think) bracket bundle. I saved about $50 versus ordering from them since their shipping was about $20. Waiting on the Warn Evo 10s I ordered so I can install the bumper.

The harness part number is 68336460AD

The link for it (Benny, forum sponsor allmoparparts.com) ->

https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-front-fascia-wiring-68336460ad

If you look at a Rubicon with a steel bumper on a dealer's lot you'll see the fog light harness runs along the bottom of the bumper. You'll be able to lay the harness out and see that the pre-attached clips line up with certain holes in the bumper.

This snip is from another forum member's bumper, I tried to expand it to show the harness routing but I'm sure you'll see the pattern -

I used the supplied plate on my 2020 but when I got my 2022 and wanted to have a plow and front receiver, I went with a bulldog winch plate because the plate supplied with the bumper didn't clear.
One thing you can do is use it now and upgrade later - once you get the bumper on, all installed, taking it back off to swap winch plates would be easy.

Well, it's REALLY easy if you have a gantry crane! But a couple of friends and a few shared drinks would help, too.

 

[MudderNuker]

The harness part number is 68336460AD

The link for it (Benny, forum sponsor allmoparparts.com) ->

https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-front-fascia-wiring-68336460ad

If you look at a Rubicon with a steel bumper on a dealer's lot you'll see the fog light harness runs along the bottom of the bumper. You'll be able to lay the harness out and see that the pre-attached clips line up with certain holes in the bumper.

This snip is from another forum member's bumper, I tried to expand it to show the harness routing but I'm sure you'll see the pattern -

I used the supplied plate on my 2020 but when I got my 2022 and wanted to have a plow and front receiver, I went with a bulldog winch plate because the plate supplied with the bumper didn't clear.
One thing you can do is use it now and upgrade later - once you get the bumper on, all installed, taking it back off to swap winch plates would be easy.

Well, it's REALLY easy if you have a gantry crane! But a couple of friends and a few shared drinks would help, too.

Thanks for the part number Shadows. I wouldn't mind having a gantry crane. If I had to pick, I'd go for a car lift and a chain hoist. Not sure a metal car garage can support the hoist.

 

[MudderNuker]

The harness part number is 68336460AD

The link for it (Benny, forum sponsor allmoparparts.com) ->

https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-front-fascia-wiring-68336460ad

If you look at a Rubicon with a steel bumper on a dealer's lot you'll see the fog light harness runs along the bottom of the bumper. You'll be able to lay the harness out and see that the pre-attached clips line up with certain holes in the bumper.

This snip is from another forum member's bumper, I tried to expand it to show the harness routing but I'm sure you'll see the pattern -

I used the supplied plate on my 2020 but when I got my 2022 and wanted to have a plow and front receiver, I went with a bulldog winch plate because the plate supplied with the bumper didn't clear.
One thing you can do is use it now and upgrade later - once you get the bumper on, all installed, taking it back off to swap winch plates would be easy.

Well, it's REALLY easy if you have a gantry crane! But a couple of friends and a few shared drinks would help, too.

What or where are these used? Thanks.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What or where are these used? Thanks.

The two brackets are for the winch plate. They go along the side (two holes) of the winch plate and to the frame. The nuts with "handles" allow you to put nuts up into the frame for the bolts that go through those brackets to the frame.

 

[MudderNuker]

The two brackets are for the winch plate. They go along the side (two holes) of the winch plate and to the frame. The nuts with "handles" allow you to put nuts up into the frame for the bolts that go through those brackets to the frame.

Thanks. I had no clue what they were for.

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