Rear bumper, can I save weight going to an aluminum rear?

[JAsh1967]

Currently running with the stock Sport S rear bumper and tow gear. The tow gear, from my research, is a LOT of the rear-end weight but I have to keep it so we can tow our camper.

So the question is, if I swap out the stock bumper for an aluminum bumper in the back, will I save any weight, and does anyone have a ballpark on how much? If it's only going to shave off 10-20lbs, it's probably not worth the money, time, and effort, but if it's going to save me 40-50+lbs? Well, then I need to start talking to the money person of the house (AKA, the wife.)

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[PBCounty]

Isn't your current bumper aluminum and plastic?

 

[Camaroboi13]

The stock bumper is a plastic shell. Can’t see this one working in your favor with the Mrs.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Isn't your current bumper aluminum and plastic?

Was curious myself...apparently the Sport / Sport S "Freedom Edition" has full steel bumpers.

But even the "plastic" rear is still a thin steel frame underneath, the plastic is just a shell. That said, I think it's only around 50-60lbs, so no...you're not gonna save 40-50lbs.

 

[JAsh1967]

Was curious myself...apparently the Sport / Sport S "Freedom Edition" has full steel bumpers.

But even the "plastic" rear is still a thin steel frame underneath, the plastic is just a shell. That said, I think it's only around 50-60lbs, so no...you're not gonna save 40-50lbs.

So, not having the "Freedom Edition," I probably already have an aluminum bumper under the plastic.

Ah well, it was worth a shot.

Hmm, are there any companies out there that make a carbon fiber replacement bed? LoL

 

[KQL]

Honestly can’t believe all the false info in this thread. The sport rear bumper is at least 200 lb and replacing it with a shiny new aluminum one would save a ton of weight.

Unrelated follow up question, is your wife going to weight the OEM bumper after you remove it?

 

[Freems]

Honestly can’t believe all the false info in this thread. The sport rear bumper is at least 200 lb and replacing it with a shiny new aluminum one would save a ton of weight.

Unrelated follow up question, is your wife going to weight the OEM bumper after you remove it?

Mis info…the plastic bumper even with the factory receiver hitch doesn’t weight 200 lbs, just took my off.

 

[KQL]

Mis info…the plastic bumper even with the factory receiver hitch doesn’t weight 200 lbs, just took my off.

 

[GI Grandpa]

On my '21 Mojave I replaced the factory rear bumper with the Rock Hard aluminum bumper. Saved a lot of weight vs. going with steel and it offers rear corner protection that the factory bumper doesn't offer. I also run a Rock Hard mid-width front aluminum bumper which does weigh less than the factory plastic one and has a winch plate that sits down between the frame rails so as not to block the radiator and a lower section that protects the remote shock reservoirs better than the factory one does. Rock Hard 4x4™ Aluminum Patriot Series Rear Bumper for Jeep Gladiator JT 2020 - Current [RH-80342]

 

[tysongladiator]

Honestly can’t believe all the false info in this thread. The sport rear bumper is at least 200 lb and replacing it with a shiny new aluminum one would save a ton of weight.

Unrelated follow up question, is your wife going to weight the OEM bumper after you remove it?

200lbs??? What do you have attached to yours? Lead?

I've owned my JT since June 2019 and have had it off at least 4x. Every time I damage it wheeling, I take it off and beat it back into shape telling myself that when it's finally beyond repair, I'll replace it. There is no way that bumper weighs 200lbs. My 8yr old granddaughter picked it up once. But... maybe she has super powers. Who knows?

 

[ASU_Greg]

Nemesis offers an awesome rear bumper….
https://nem-ind.com/jt-outback-rear-bumper-with-bed-sliders.html

 

[JAsh1967]

On my '21 Mojave I replaced the factory rear bumper with the Rock Hard aluminum bumper. Saved a lot of weight vs. going with steel and it offers rear corner protection that the factory bumper doesn't offer. I also run a Rock Hard mid-width front aluminum bumper which does weigh less than the factory plastic one and has a winch plate that sits down between the frame rails so as not to block the radiator and a lower section that protects the remote shock reservoirs better than the factory one does. Rock Hard 4x4™ Aluminum Patriot Series Rear Bumper for Jeep Gladiator JT 2020 - Current [RH-80342]

That actually looks like it might save some poundage, going by the approximate / estimated weight @ryanlsmith posited.

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