China knockoff of the Mopar steel front JT bumper...is it any good?

[ShadowsPapa]

If I were to sandblast this, would it be worth my time to get it powdercoated? I'm actually thinking I might be better off with something like Line-X or even Plasti-Dip that's a little more deflective to rock chips. I still think the powdercoating could chip and expose the cheap steel and then I'm right back at square one.

Most powder coat shops prefer to prep things themselves. They include all that prep - including any blasting - in the price.
I disassembled mine down to the last individual part and took them all the parts. Some parts were just too large for my oven and I didn't have a powder that matched the factory finish. They did - a perfect match to the MOPAR finish. And they saw the parts and knew exactly what it was - they apparently do a lot of Jeep bumpers! He instantly said "oh, a Jeep front bumper" after I pulled out a couple of the smaller parts. I figured I'd gone to the right shop.

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[Darel]

Yeah, a local guy just quoted me $350 to blast, zinc coat and then powdercoat the bumper. Still half the price of a Mopar unit.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not really "oily" per se but I mean that rainbow stain that real, penetrative rust leaves running down the surface. Here's a few pics, you can see the bumper by this time is more touch-up than original paint.

Wow, 2 Iowa winters, all that salt, and mine never looked that bad except in the back where the parts went together and where the front tires rock-blasted the parts and salt sat on it.

Mine going back together after the powder coating -

 

[cranbiz]

I just installed one. Other than the complete lack of installation diagrams, It wasn't too bad. The finish is definitely thin, I did have to repaint the winch plate and the bull bar which were chipped but the bumper itself was intact. Ordered up the hole plugs for the sensor holes and used Christmas tree fasteners on the fog light bezels. I did swap out the tow hooks for the Mopar hooks that were on the plastic bumper as well as my factory LED fogs. No winch yet, waiting for another 25% coupon from Harbor Freight for an Apex winch. For $410, I'm really happy with it's looks and fit. If I need to repaint in a couple years, so what.

 

[Turkeeslapper]

I am on my second bumper. Both bumpers I cleaned and sprayed with textured Krylon paint. My first one took a head on collusion. I will say my Rubicon steel skid plate didn't completely fit but I bought longer bolts to attach it.

 

[Gryphon]

Curious, this should also fit the 21' Wrangler also? I'm thinking of ordering 2 one for his and hers. And if i'm not mistaken the front bumper mounting are the same for both but there rears are absolutely not.

 

[RAAK_FJ]

This link provide earlier in this thread has no mention for the 22-23 Mojaves in the web-listings for fitment (from WILL1E page 2, post #19). I am guessing that it just generically calls out 2021 Gladiators.
ebay-Front Bumper Kit Fit For 18-23 Jeep Wrangler JL Gladiator

While this link also provided calls out to 2022 Gladiators (from Camaroboi13 page 6, post #85).
ebay-Fit for Jeep Wrangler JT Gladiator 2020-2022 Steel Front Bumper Body Kit

Please keep me honest, is there any difference between the year models regarding bumpers?

 

[cranbiz]

It's the same bumper. There is no difference between the years on those bumpers.
When they say with or without LED lights, they mean do you want them to sell you LED fog lights, not that you have them. That's a mistake I made. If you pull the trigger, send them a note to see if you can get them to send you the non sensor version.

The sensor holes are bigger than 1" (25mm) but smaller that 1 1/8" (30mm) the holes are 28mm. The 1" can be made to work on the front and side but won't fit for the outside lower front hole which is also slightly curved.

 

[fade2black]

Hate to bring up an old thread, but did anyone repaint theirs with bedliner? How has it held up? How did you prep it before spraying it? Would you do it again or go the powder coat route?

 

[Camaroboi13]

Hate to bring up an old thread, but did anyone repaint theirs with bedliner? How has it held up? How did you prep it before spraying it? Would you do it again or go the powder coat route?

I’m sure it would hold up fine depending on how well you prep it. The paint on the knockoff is pretty bad usually. If you’re going that route make sure you strip it to bare metal first and seal it up as best as possible. These bumpers are notorious for rust.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hate to bring up an old thread, but did anyone repaint theirs with bedliner? How has it held up? How did you prep it before spraying it? Would you do it again or go the powder coat route?

The original finish doesn't always adhere well. It's thin and sometimes sort of flakes off. So putting anything on top of the original finish could end up with bare spots.

 

[fade2black]

Thanks, that is what i feared and based on reading through this whole thread, thought would be the answer.

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