Bumper Analysis Paralysis! HELP!

[Challenger85]

Im kinda in this boat.

https://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-full-width-trail-bumper-10585.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpcb&utm_campaign=17867436380|&utm_content=&utm_term=||m||fit_first_10585-f&gclid=CjwKCAjwmJeYBhAwEiwAXlg0AW3y7BOtpwgf1I6DD6mSpAl-BlTh6VFmGE6ptrYSAF2h6-MMoA_JRhoCCk0QAvD_BwE

I like most of the styling here and the integrated LED bar but it’s not for Mojave. But I was worried about quality on some bumpers because most have reviews about rust so that sucks. I guess that’s just something you gotta deal with. Just hard to pick with so many options and you don’t know what’s junk!

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[XJFanatic]

Totally understandable! I did wonder if I got something that was cheaper if I could just have it powder coated thicker to last longer.

You certainly could. Depending on how much you plan to beat it, powder coating kind of sucks at times. I am always torn when refinishing bumpers on anything I wheel. Rattle can fades, but is easy to touch up when I scratch it. Powder coating holds up to fading better but chips easier when bashed and is tough to match in touch ups.

 

[Challenger85]

You certainly could. Depending on how much you plan to beat it, powder coating kind of sucks at times. I am always torn when refinishing bumpers on anything I wheel. Rattle can fades, but is easy to touch up when I scratch it. Powder coating holds up to fading better but chips easier when bashed and is tough to match in touch ups.

Damn lol. I am wondering if maybe the stock Rubicon steel might be the easiest path. But then I have to buy the bar just to add lights and now it’s like what $1500 + lights? ? Sucks to be indecisive lol.

 

[XJFanatic]

Start looking on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, here and the JL forum. Used front JL bumpers are starting to pop up pretty often.

 

[Jefe1018]

6 months?!? Wow

You be the judge, I think I can cover it up with touch up paint and it’ll be fine. It was all from the install, taking off and putting back on type stuff. Just wish it would have held up at least a little better.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

I like the right one!

I have a RR stamped steel Arcus bumper. To do it again I would've gone with their HD Stubby you chose in the pic.

 

[Challenger85]

You be the judge, I think I can cover it up with touch up paint and it’ll be fine. It was all from the install, taking off and putting back on type stuff. Just wish it would have held up at least a little better.

Not horrible but that sucks!

 

[Challenger85]

I have a RR stamped steel Arcus bumper. To do it again I would've gone with their HD Stubby in the pic.

I like the simplicity. I think the only thing I’ve seen I don’t like is aluminum bumpers.

 

[Jefe1018]

Not horrible but that sucks!

Just makes me wonder what'll happen if it scrapes something, I drive a place that sprays salt, etc.

Since you're in a Mojave have you followed the threads from folks saying an aftermarket bumper and winch just about cancelled out their fancy front suspension?

 

[Challenger85]

Just makes me wonder what'll happen if it scrapes something, I drive a place that sprays salt, etc.

Since you're in a Mojave have you followed the threads from folks saying an aftermarket bumper and winch just about cancelled out their fancy front suspension?

Colorado does that which was a concern of mine too. I haven’t seen that? Most stuff I’ve seen is it was a mild drop on the front end. ?

 

[Vanishing Point]

Quadratec Aluminum Brute Strength full width bumper.

I needed a bumper for my winch. I figured aluminum because I don't like rust and I also was going to install it myself so I figured it would be lighter therefore easier to install. I don't know how big a deal the weight savings is on a truck like a Gladiator. I know the winch was going to be heavy.

I did not like the bull bar on it. I was going for more of an old school vibe. The bull bar was angular and sleek. I almost removed until I realized I could use it functionally. No one ever said off road or camping "gee, we could have used less rope". And nothing sends off the "old man driving a Jeep" vibe like old school manilla rope. So now I have 30 extra feet of rope with a working load of around 4,000 pounds. Breaking strength was 13,000 pounds I believe. 1" promanilla I think it is called. Easy to access. And it took away some of the angles of the bull bar. People seem to think it's a winch? I covered the edges with split tubing and a Styrofoam pipe insulator to keep the rope from getting chafed.

Viva le difference.

 

[Challenger85]

Quadratec Aluminum Brute Strength full width bumper.

I needed a bumper for my winch. I figured aluminum because I don't like rust and I also was going to install it myself so I figured it would be lighter therefore easier to install. I don't know how big a deal the weight savings is on a truck like a Gladiator. I know the winch was going to be heavy.

I did not like the bull bar on it. I was going for more of an old school vibe. The bull bar was angular and sleek. I almost removed until I realized I could use it functionally. No one ever said off road or camping "gee, we could have used less rope". And nothing sends off the "old man driving a Jeep" vibe like old school manilla rope. So now I have 30 extra feet of rope with a working load of around 4,000 pounds. Breaking strength was 13,000 pounds I believe. 1" promanilla I think it is called. Easy to access. And it took away some of the angles of the bull bar. People seem to think it's a winch? I covered the edges with split tubing and a Styrofoam pipe insulator to keep the rope from getting chafed.

Viva le difference.

Looks good! I’m going to check that out. I like that you make it unique.

 

[Challenger85]

Quadratec Aluminum Brute Strength full width bumper.

I needed a bumper for my winch. I figured aluminum because I don't like rust and I also was going to install it myself so I figured it would be lighter therefore easier to install. I don't know how big a deal the weight savings is on a truck like a Gladiator. I know the winch was going to be heavy.

I did not like the bull bar on it. I was going for more of an old school vibe. The bull bar was angular and sleek. I almost removed until I realized I could use it functionally. No one ever said off road or camping "gee, we could have used less rope". And nothing sends off the "old man driving a Jeep" vibe like old school manilla rope. So now I have 30 extra feet of rope with a working load of around 4,000 pounds. Breaking strength was 13,000 pounds I believe. 1" promanilla I think it is called. Easy to access. And it took away some of the angles of the bull bar. People seem to think it's a winch? I covered the edges with split tubing and a Styrofoam pipe insulator to keep the rope from getting chafed.

Viva le difference.

You might have sold me on that one! Lightweight, keeps the Factory fogs and can add lights to the bar. How much does it stick out past stock do you think? Garage clearance is key for me, those D ring hoops are a bit bulky.

 

[Jefe1018]

Quadratec Aluminum Brute Strength full width bumper.

I needed a bumper for my winch. I figured aluminum because I don't like rust and I also was going to install it myself so I figured it would be lighter therefore easier to install. I don't know how big a deal the weight savings is on a truck like a Gladiator. I know the winch was going to be heavy.

I did not like the bull bar on it. I was going for more of an old school vibe. The bull bar was angular and sleek. I almost removed until I realized I could use it functionally. No one ever said off road or camping "gee, we could have used less rope". And nothing sends off the "old man driving a Jeep" vibe like old school manilla rope. So now I have 30 extra feet of rope with a working load of around 4,000 pounds. Breaking strength was 13,000 pounds I believe. 1" promanilla I think it is called. Easy to access. And it took away some of the angles of the bull bar. People seem to think it's a winch? I covered the edges with split tubing and a Styrofoam pipe insulator to keep the rope from getting chafed.

Viva le difference.

That looks awesome, but aren’t you worried UV rays will ruin it over time?

 

[Vanishing Point]

You might have sold me on that one! Lightweight, keeps the Factory fogs and can add lights to the bar. How much does it stick out past stock do you think? Garage clearance is key for me, those D ring hoops are a bit bulky.

It sticks out quite a bit. I'd say 8" at the bumper and a foot at the front of the bull bar. I'll try to find a Gladiator tomorrow and park next to it. But if length is an issue this might not be the one.

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