How thin is too thin for aftermarket bumper thickness?

[DTJB]

I’ve looked for months trying to find a bumper that doesn’t break the bank, has a low winch mount, and has the look I like. I finally settled on the full width Rugged Ridge HD bumper. Had it in the cart last night and was fixing to purchase it when I realized I had never even looked up the specs... so, *tap tap tap* thickness is 2.5mm (.09ish”) basically 3/32”... it seems the consensus of aftermarket bumpers are 3/16” and this one looks to be half that thickness. Granted, it is light, but I don’t think the bumpers or armor on the truck is where I want to be skimping on weight. I understand weight is a concern for a lot of people, but I feel like there is a direct correlation of weight to rigidity/strength when using steel. I understand gussets can make a bumper light and strong but at 55lbs it’s making me nervous to have it on the front of the truck. RR says it’s not rated for flat tow... my question is - Is 3/32” too thin? Will it hold up in a lighter strike? I don’t need one that will let me pummel my way through a traffic jam but I don’t want roofing tin to be the only thing between my radiator and a deer. Will the tow hooks rip out on a bubba rope when I’m really stuck? Is the winch plate strong enough to handle a full pull?

If anyone has this bumper and can chime in that would be great. Maybe I’m just overthinking, or underestimating the strength.

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[Jeeperjamie]

I got the Rugged Ridge Spartan

HD high clearance bumper on mine and made well and will take a beating. It's a lighter bumper but you definitely wouldn't have to worry about it not protecting your Jeep. The D-Rings mount to frame as well instead of being welded on which is a plus because it makes them stronger and able to pull more weight.
Not sure if it's the one your speaking of so I provided a link to the one I purchased and a picture of it on my jeep

https://www.carid.com/rugged-ridge/...black-front-winch-hd-bumper-mpn-11548-41.html

Mine on my jeep

 

[TomH]

I would not go that route. I get that you can do a lot with bracing and design, but 3/32 is thin. The JT is not light and if you are winching from a difficult spot, that is not a lot of metal. I have always used 1/4" for winch plates on any Jeep bumper I have made. For the JT I went with 3/8" for the plate. The rest of the bumper is 3/16" Sounds heavy but it is a stubby and weighed around 70 lbs.

 

[DTJB]

So I called RR today and got some details, they say the bumper skin is 2.5mm but the bumper structure is 6mm not sure how much structure is there but that’s basically 1/4” (15/64”) I like hearing that now I’m just wondering what the structure looks like, I’d assume winch plate and supports in center and I guess the wings are 3/32” which I figure would bend pretty easily and be in a tire from a good smack... would love to see some pictures of the inside of either the full width or the stubby if anyone has them... @TomH your stubby weighs more than the description says the full width, I figured 60-70 on a stubby and 100ish on a full width seems appropriate

@Jeeperjamie thank you for the link but the one I’m looking at is different, I see you’re running a badlands winch... any chance you’ve got to use it yet? I’ve heard nothing but good things about that winch and everyone who owns one seems to be impressed by them. I’ve contemplated that winch myself vs the VR EVO10s from warn since they’re both made in China... the warn is designed here though

 

[TomH]

So I called RR today and got some details, they say the bumper skin is 2.5mm but the bumper structure is 6mm not sure how much structure is there but that’s basically 1/4” (15/64”) I like hearing that now I’m just wondering what the structure looks like, I’d assume winch plate and supports in center and I guess the wings are 3/32” which I figure would bend pretty easily and be in a tire from a good smack... would love to see some pictures of the inside of either the full width or the stubby if anyone has them... @TomH your stubby weighs more than the description says the full width, I figured 60-70 on a stubby and 100ish on a full width seems appropriate

@Jeeperjamie thank you for the link but the one I’m looking at is different, I see you’re running a badlands winch... any chance you’ve got to use it yet? I’ve heard nothing but good things about that winch and everyone who owns one seems to be impressed by them. I’ve contemplated that winch myself vs the VR EVO10s from warn since they’re both made in China... the warn is designed here though

If they are using 6mm in the structure of the bumper, I think it would be a good solution. The rest of it being 2.5mm to save weight. I weighed my bumper and winch before I put them on and if I remember correctly, the bumper was right at 70 and the winch was about 55. I have the VR EVO10s and it is pretty solid. I was surprised that it was made in China, though.

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