Anyone running steel bumpers without a winch?

[be77solo]

I knew what I was getting into when I ordered the Arcus, was just curious how it would look in person.

For me I saw it immediately and "had" to find a quick solution, but I also had just spent a couple hours installing it too. It's been a couple weeks now though, and I barely notice it now. I do have a black truck though, so it doesn't pop out unless you are looking close. Shadows, reflections, so many other things to catch your eye help it go away.

But, I'll still address it. Probably will just install a winch, but I'm still 50/50 on just bolting on a cover plate inside using existing holes, and then a small plate of some sort for the front.

Having said all that, I'd swap bumpers again 100%, even as is.

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[Sorbs]

I'd much rather pay roughly the same $ for a Mopar one that someone replaced, though for all I know they are indistinguishable.

Know that the Mopar steel bumper is more of a hubcap because you need a winch plate that sits between the frame and is where the winch sits. The bumper only allows you to mount a fair lead on it and act as a pass through for the winch line. The winch does not mount to the bumper and the factory steel bumper comes with block out covers to make it look solid until they are removed.

 

[Dryfly24]

 

[Ksagaser]

I went with the Roam slimline with the low bar $600. A little goofy to install but comes with winch plate. I added a Factor 55 fairlead. Have Plans to install a winch or addition small radiator.

 

[PicklesJ]

I went with the Arcus just because I love the look of it, but it's not the ideal candidate for no winch. Here's how it looks without, still great and much better than stock, but I know that's a big hole for a winch ha even if most random people don't.

I struggle with the winch idea too.... It's just not something that will be used much at all, and will end up being installed mostly for looks. The type of off road driving we do here are mostly fire roads/mountain trails and knock on wood, in 20 years we've never actually needed a winch. Just use another buddies truck and straps/shackles when occasionally needed.

So, I'm 50/50 of either just installing a winch or fabricating a cover that fills the hole.

Pics just for an idea until I make up my mind:

How many cans of cold beer will fit in the winch space…?

 

[be77solo]

How many cans of cold beer will fit in the winch space…?

24 pack my man, even stays cool up front going down the road....

 

[Steak.Sauce]

Not currently running it, but I love the ADD Stealth bumper, and plan to get a front and rear set when someone hands me the cash to do so...

ADD Stealth

 

[PeterGriffin]

I like stubbies myself and the steel Rubi/MOPAR one is convertible from full length to stubby. I saw someone post this one (knockoff) here recently and made it work for a Mojave, which takes a lil doing since the skid pan is different to accommodate the shock reservoirs but it'll work...

https://www.amazon.com/Front-Bumper...45c88&pd_rd_wg=pVF4y&pd_rd_i=B0856YHW5M&psc=1

While this bumper does include the winch plate, there's nothing wrong with NOT running a winch, at all. I've been Jeepin' for a while now and I find that most of the people running them don't have the use for them and just wanna look cool when they park at the mall (they're usually running 20 or even 22-inch rims too). Good for them; their money, their Jeep. Just check out recovery/technical and other similar threads on the (other) Jeep forums and they're DEAD. Either people are hardcore serious about it and walk the walk or they just want to look like they do. Winches add a TON of weight forward of your front axle which is something I'd personally like to avoid in my Mojave since I actually off-road mine in its "desert rated" intended purpose.

 

[Blue Ridge]

Yeah, I drive some hunting trails that are pretty darn rough but I'm not looking to test my skills and see what I can tackle in my Jeep. I know that the most likely use of a winch is going to be pulling a neighbor out of the snow or so forth and I feel confident that I can do that with a tow strap. I just don't feel a winch would get the use that warrants the expense or fuel economy loss for now. If down the road I get the wheeling bug, I can always add one. But my current favorite bumper is not made with people like me in mind.

 

[redfish]

Watching this thread as I am in same situation , where I go offroad traction boards will probably be used more often.

Really like the Arcus , thinking a piece of black starboard mounted to inside of winch hole would work for cosmetic benefit

 

[Phishs]

I can't decide if that hole would be something I stopped seeing or saw more every time I looked at my truck! Hoping I hear back from RR soon about the chance that the plate cover on the Spartacus fits and could be bought separately.

I may go that route if no takeoffs materialize, but reviews seem to be hit or miss on them coming with scratches and no instructions. I'd much rather pay roughly the same $ for a Mopar one that someone replaced, though for all I know they are indistinguishable.

Did you ever hear back from RR on this?

 

[Blue Ridge]

They said (after several calls and emails, I finally got tech support) that they didn't have anything that would cover the hole. So I'm back to checking FB marketplace and CL for some takeoffs, which seem very scarce lately.

 

[mmatthie]

I have a Mopar steely on my JT...no winch and don't plan to...just love the look of that bumper. I went full length for a while, but currently have it in stubby mode. I plan to grab the Mopar "grille hoop" aka cow catcher to finish it off...and that's how it'll stay.

Also plan to get a rear steely at some point.

 

[ALVagabond]

I have a Quadratec QRC stubby bumper on mine. I haven't gotten around to buying a winch yet.

 

[Blue Ridge]

I have a Mopar steely on my JT...no winch and don't plan to...just love the look of that bumper. I went full length for a while, but currently have it in stubby mode. I plan to grab the Mopar "grille hoop" aka cow catcher to finish it off...and that's how it'll stay.

Also plan to get a rear steely at some point.

I'd be happy with that. Just need to find one. If I don't after it's been so long I'm tired of waiting, I may try one of the Chinese knock offs, but I'm trying to be patient.

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