Is 50-70 lbs saved from bumper weight worth the extra 600 bucks??

[red/green hawk]

Looked into Quadratec aluminum stubby as opposed to Tactic steel stubby. Quadratec is 64 lbs and $900. Tactic is 89 lbs shipped and $350 lbs. 25 lbs worth $550? Not in my estimation.

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[Kindafearless]

I’m a huge proponent of aluminum My genright stuff has taken a beating on rocks and trees and it buffs out nicely.

However! If you are going to weigh it down anyway… it may not make as much sense. After running all steel for a while, I had to be really diligent in dropping weight and keeping it low to maintain the benefit.

You said you weren’t going to add a ton of stuff, so you could be a good candidate. Just keep in mind that that weight savings can be offset quickly if you start adding stuff like steel skids, etc

 

[AjMac]

Looked into Quadratec aluminum stubby as opposed to Tactic steel stubby. Quadratec is 64 lbs and $900. Tactic is 89 lbs shipped and $350 lbs. 25 lbs worth $550? Not in my estimation.

I would argue the same.

Different comparison though that I am personally looking at:

Nextventure Featherweight is 42lbs (including winch plate) and 1200 duckets...or around 90-105 for the steels Im seeing from 630 - 800 bucks. Is half the weight worth it to you? Half makes it sound more grand...40 - 50 less lbs?

 

[AjMac]

I’m a huge proponent of aluminum My genright stuff has taken a beating on rocks and trees and it buffs out nicely.

However! If you are going to weigh it down anyway… it may not make as much sense. After running all steel for a while, I had to be really diligent in dropping weight and keeping it low to maintain the benefit.

You said you weren’t going to add a ton of stuff, so you could be a good candidate. Just keep in mind that that weight savings can be offset quickly if you start adding stuff like steel skids, etc

I think if I end up going aluminum for the bumper and am happy with it, I would strive for aluminum in all that I could.

Genright really has my eye.... Which from your build thread it seems you have the non high clearance? I like that there is no cutting involved with that one. Does is cover the sway bar disconnect motor for the JTR? And with a kinda "built in" skid, is there any concern that yould really ding it up and instead of just getting a new skid, you gotta deal since it is part of your bumper?

 

[DanW]

Thank you for that. I constantly see the strength argument for steel, and never looked at it like you mentioned above.

Everything you say makes sense to me. My FIL is a Jeep guy, and one thing said to me was to take my time with my modding so that I can get the quality items I want, even if it costs a bit more.

With that said...what bumper are you running? Do you know how much yours weighs, including the winch plate that I assume is steel?

Thanks. I've been a Jeeper for 30 years, so I've learned some things the hard way. I'm running the OEM steel bumper with a Smittybilt XRC 9500 winch with synthetic line. The winch probably weighs just over 50lbs. Some 9500 or 10k winches can get upwards of 80lbs. The bumper is stamped steel, so it is light. I'm trying to remember what winch plate I bought but it is steel. I know Warn makes a very good one, but there are others. I put a Rugged Ridge Arcus on my JK and I like it really well, too. It is probably similar in weight and the style, with the exception of the hooks, looks similar, too. It came with a very solid winch plate and cost about half what the Mopar cost. If I were upgrading from a standard JL or JT bumper, I'd certainly consider it. But I do like the Mopar very much. I don't know the exact weight, but maybe a Mopar parts website would have the shipping weight. It's pretty similar to the Arcus, from having lifted both.

My brother's JT has a Bestop bumper that is thick steel. It is certainly beefy and strong, but it weighs a helluva lot more than my Mopar. His winch plate is built in, which is nice. He then put a Harbor Freight Badlands 12k winch on it that weighs in around 85lbs, or so. So total weight is at least 60lbs more than my front bumper and winch. I think that is significant. But it still works well with his Gladiator.

 

[Kindafearless]

I think if I end up going aluminum for the bumper and am happy with it, I would strive for aluminum in all that I could.

Genright really has my eye.... Which from your build thread it seems you have the non high clearance? I like that there is no cutting involved with that one. Does is cover the sway bar disconnect motor for the JTR? And with a kinda "built in" skid, is there any concern that yould really ding it up and instead of just getting a new skid, you gotta deal since it is part of your bumper?

They sell a rash guard for it that handles the dings pretty well. It’s stainless, just add a little rattle can covering of your choice and your golden.

Honestly you’d really have to be doing something crazy or stupid to mess up the lower part. I’ve told myself that if I manage to break that I’ve earned buying a slow clearance bumper

 

[rob_o]

25-35 pounds is not worth the 500$+ price tag. Aluminum bumpers are such a meme.

If you were worried about the weight it's far cheaper to just go on a diet ?

As for the corrosion argument, aluminum corrodes too, not as bad as steel but it still happens. Any properly coated bumper will do just fine up front.

Also steel is alot better incase of a car accident, it probably won't bend or buckle. I was hit by at a red light by someone doing 45 and my bumper didn't budge.

#teamsteel


I also want to add this, if you are really worried about the weight you can offset it by going with a synthetic winch cable over steel, and even adding a 1/4" lift spacer to the front end incase it dips a little.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

I think steel makes for a better bumper for actual crashes

 

[red/green hawk]

I would argue the same.

Different comparison though that I am personally looking at:

Nextventure Featherweight is 42lbs (including winch plate) and 1200 duckets...or around 90-105 for the steels Im seeing from 630 - 800 bucks. Is half the weight worth it to you? Half makes it sound more grand...40 - 50 less lbs?

I'm not sure how much the factory bumper weighs but I would venture 40 lbs? If that's the case by going cheaper you're only adding 50 extra lbs. Evenly distributed over 2 springs is that really a lot? Taking this into consideration the weight factor really isn't a factor to me.

I've had my bumper for 1+ years and it has withstood the elements (park outside), snow, water, and mud without any rust so far. It has a great powder coat finish.

What sealed the deal was the cost though. 350 against 900, fit what I was looking for.

 

[Terry]

Hey all, just like the title is asking, is it worth spending an extra 600 bucks on an aluminum front bumper just to save 50-70 lbs? A few things:

- I'm going factory plastic to steel or aluminum, so its gonna be heavier no matter what
- I am NOT gonna have all sorts of bed racks, fridges, tents, etc. on my JTR, so im not limited on my weight budget
- I am in a diesel, so I'm already heavier, so should I be trying to make up for that?
- Finally...I am going with a stubby, so even a steel bumper wont be crazy heavy.

So...is it worth spending twice the money on an aluminum bumper? How noticeable is weight like that (first aftermarket bumper search)? TIA

I put a MoPar Steel Stubby with Warn Winch, and MoPar off road lights on a MoPar light bar on my Rubi and noticed nothing. No changes in steering, performance, or rake. Nothing... except a great looking front end.

 

[DanW]

I think steel makes for a better bumper for actual crashes

Actually it doesn't make much difference except in a minor hit. In a bad crash you want the vehicle to absorb the impact rather than the body. So crushing and crumpling is good. That said, the type of bumper won't have much say either way since it is the frame and body structure that is designed to give under impact. The bumpers are the main deal only up to 5 mph, maybe a little more. Beyond that, they aren't what protects you.

 

[eaglerugby04]

Could go with something light like the RR Arcus. That bumper is such a thin shell and a winch plate it honestly weighs as much as most aluminum ones when it comes down to it. for the price it was hard to beat and worked with my JTR skid plate, most other ones did now.

 

[Imbuere]

I added the steel bumper, Zeon 12s, and an ARB twin under the hood and my front is about 3/4" lower than the rear. So, there's that to contend with.

To me though, 60 lbs as absolutely worth $600, at least on a JL as my GVWR is such shit. I have the steel factory bumper now, but will be switching over to the aluminum version quite soon: https://www.extremeterrain.com/mp-c...-forged-aluminum-front-bumper-j134510-jl.html

 

[AjMac]

I added the steel bumper, Zeon 12s, and an ARB twin under the hood and my front is about 3/4" lower than the rear. So, there's that to contend with.

To me though, 60 lbs as absolutely worth $600, at least on a JL as my GVWR is such shit. I have the steel factory bumper now, but will be switching over to the aluminum version quite soon: https://www.extremeterrain.com/mp-c...-forged-aluminum-front-bumper-j134510-jl.html

I see a lot of people singing high praise about that bumper, looks like a good choice!

All of this input has been super helpful. I think I'm currently looking at aluminum, but we will see if that changes before I press pay.

The way I see it, is if I go aluminum and find out it's pointless, then I spent a little too much money. But If I go steel and hate the way it feels, the little bit more weight, or it starts rusting or something, then that's just a waste and I'm starting back at "negative whatever the bumper cost".

Ill let yall know when I pull the trigger

 

[AjMac]

Watching as I am considering the same

What direction are you leaning after this, if any?

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