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

[redfish]

I am still leaning AL

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90240.htm

What direction are you leaning after this, if any?

Sponsored

 

[AjMac]

I am still leaning AL

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90240.htm

Not bad!

@Kindafearless Does your Genright fully protect that sway bar disconnect motor? Thanks!

 

[Kindafearless]

Not bad!

@Kindafearless Does your Genright fully protect that sway bar disconnect motor? Thanks!

Yes sir, protects it very well

 

[TheSolarWizard]

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.

a steel bumper will crush an aluminum bumper will most likely shatter.

 

[ygrignon]

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

If you have any plan to tow with your JT and you don't have a Max Two then you'll find that you can very quickly exceed max payload. Any weight you can save there will be critical.

 

[Kindafearless]

To each their own, but I don’t know why everyone is so stuck on steel being stronger than aluminum for the bumper, especially if we are talking about a stubby bumper. The strength is in the frame. If I run into another car with my truck, the least of my problems is a messed up bumper :/ Also, we’re talking about really low profile bumpers, I can’t think of a situation where I’m hanging my truck off the bumper and I haven’t done something dumb.

Anyone have any stories of how a steel bumper saved them rock crawling, I’m legitimately curious.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I installed a 10,000 lb. winch and the Rugged Ridge Venator bumper on my Willys gasser. I have stock springs but installed a 2.5” spacer. Post bumper winch install I lost 3/8.” I have not noticed any difference in MPG. I’m happy with my choice.

I lost about 1/2" as I recall - have to check the numbers. Yes, the weight of the MOPAR type steel bumper and the 80 pound winch - lost mpg for sure. I saw a direct correlation in my case. MPG dropped.

 

[WXman]

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 faced the same delimma and couldn't decide.

Then I found the Rampage "Rock Rage" bumper. It's plate steel, has factory fog light provisions, has D-ring tabs, has a grille protection hoop, tabs for additional aux lights, has a 12,000 lb. winch mount, AND it only weighs around 60 lbs!!!

Then I put the Badland APEX 12,000 winch on....59 lbs!!

The plastic bumper I removed was 35ish lbs. That means I added a total of LESS than 100 lbs. to the front of my diesel and I'm super happy with the setup. OH, and I have around $800 total invested in bumper AND winch!!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

To each their own, but I don’t know why everyone is so stuck on steel being stronger than aluminum for the bumper, especially if we are talking about a stubby bumper. The strength is in the frame. If I run into another car with my truck, the least of my problems is a messed up bumper :/ Also, we’re talking about really low profile bumpers, I can’t think of a situation where I’m hanging my truck off the bumper and I haven’t done something dumb.

Anyone have any stories of how a steel bumper saved them rock crawling, I’m legitimately curious.

Depends on the bumper, the shape, the gauge of material used and so on. I've been doing repairs and restorations for decades - and I have 3 cars in my shop with aluminum bumpers. One of them is mine. And I'll put those bumpers up against some steel bumpers. On the other hand - I've seen some aluminum bumpers I'd not want to bet on.
My car hauler is 100% aluminum except for the axles and the coupler. Frame, bed, tool box, spare tire holder, all aluminum (of course except for bolts!) And it will hold the same weight my prior steel car trailer handled. If either were to be damaged or in an accident, I'd bet on the steel trailer to win hands-down. But that's a different case there.
Since it's really not common to find identical designs in steel AND aluminum, there's no way to compare. One guys aluminum bumper may fare better than another's steel bumper, and in other cases, the opposite. It depends on shapes and designs, geometry.
If you made the MOPAR steel bumper out of aluminum and didn't change a thing - no contest.
But if you made changes to certain areas.............
So in other words - there's no way to compare directly. Aluminum bumpers are typically engineered differently to compensate.

I wonder - people against aluminum -will you be canceling your airline tickets?

 

[usnavycdr]

Depends on the bumper, the shape, the gauge of material used and so on. I've been doing repairs and restorations for decades - and I have 3 cars in my shop with aluminum bumpers. One of them is mine. And I'll put those bumpers up against some steel bumpers. On the other hand - I've seen some aluminum bumpers I'd not want to bet on.
My car hauler is 100% aluminum except for the axles and the coupler. Frame, bed, tool box, spare tire holder, all aluminum (of course except for bolts!) And it will hold the same weight my prior steel car trailer handled. If either were to be damaged or in an accident, I'd bet on the steel trailer to win hands-down. But that's a different case there.
Since it's really not common to find identical designs in steel AND aluminum, there's no way to compare. One guys aluminum bumper may fare better than another's steel bumper, and in other cases, the opposite. It depends on shapes and designs, geometry.
If you made the MOPAR steel bumper out of aluminum and didn't change a thing - no contest.
But if you made changes to certain areas.............
So in other words - there's no way to compare directly. Aluminum bumpers are typically engineered differently to compensate.

I wonder - people against aluminum -will you be canceling your airline tickets?

I read on a boat building site that they will build a hull around steel or aluminum, they just factor in 1.5x thickness factor for aluminum vs steel. (exact alloy I don't recall). Aluminum was deemed strong enough just not as elastic as steel. I would rock an aluminum bumper and did for years on my '16 Cherokee TH winch bumper before trading it in for the JT.

 

[Forum Crawler]

Yes.

 

[DanW]

a steel bumper will crush an aluminum bumper will most likely shatter.

Bumpers are insignificant in any crash over 10mph and sometimes even over 5mph. It'll make zero difference.

But if your grandmother's Pinto backs into your Jeep in the driveway, maybe. But even then it depends on the bumper design and thickness of the metal.

Aluminum, pound for pound is stronger than steel. That's a fact. The main advantage to aluminum is that you can get the same strength with lighter weight. And they don't rust. Crash talk is silly, as neither will matter in more than a driveway or parking lot fender bender.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bumpers are insignificant in any crash over 10mph and sometimes even over 5mph. It'll make zero difference.

But if your grandmother's Pinto backs into your Jeep in the driveway, maybe. But even then it depends on the bumper design and thickness of the metal.

Aluminum, pound for pound is stronger than steel. That's a fact. The main advantage to aluminum is that you can get the same strength with lighter weight. And they don't rust. Crash talk is silly, as neither will matter in more than a driveway or parking lot fender bender.

My son used to have an 82 Eagle SX4. They have aluminum bumpers front and rear.
He was driving home from work one evening, sitting at a light waiting to make a left turn. A girl in a car behind him wasn't paying attention and smacked him hard.
Totaled her car, smashed the front end up good.
His car? Knocked a short piece of trim off that bumper. Otherwise, not a dent or bend anywhere. I had the trim and put it on for him the next day. You couldn't tell he'd been hit - her car, had to be towed away.
I've seen people bolt bumper hitches onto those bumpers and tow large fold down campers back in the day they were popular.

 

[AjMac]

Yes.

Best input so far lol

 

[AjMac]

One thing I am NOT focusing on while building/planning out the JT is how to make it crash better. I have been in my fair share of totaled vehicles after an accident, and no matter what bumper I could have had at the time, it wouldn't have made a difference. I'll agree with the attraction of banging it up on a trail, and just hammering it out afterwards though.

Sponsored