jeep gladiator rubicon bumper question

[Turfman454]

Just purchased a new jeep overlander last Friday after trading in my 13 jk. I kept my winch and now i want to mount it on my JL. I know they make a mount that a can install on my so called plastic bumper. But i have seen pics where there are installed on a "Steel" rubicon bumper and looks much better. While back at the dealership today the Rubicon bumpers appeared to be the same as my jl. Is the Rubicon winch ready bumper an entirely different bumper or do all Rubicon's have a so called steel bumper

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[Mr._Bill]

The steel bumper is an upgrade option. It can be ordered with it, or added afterward.

 

[Turfman454]

ok so the steel bumper is the one that looks like it has bolts along the top and just because it s a Rubicon it is not a steel bumper. Thanks in advance. Im looking at one for sale they clam is a steel bumper but it looks exactly like my bumper but has the red tow hooks with it

 

[kevman65]

ok so the steel bumper is the one that looks like it has bolts along the top and just because it s a Rubicon it is not a steel bumper. Thanks in advance. Im looking at one for sale they clam is a steel bumper but it looks exactly like my bumper but has the red tow hooks with it

Red tow hooks are standard on all Rubicons, whether they have the steel or plastic bumper.
I have the red hooks on mine, and it's the plastic bumper.

 

[WhatExit?]

Buy a takeoff steel Rubicon bumper. They’re hard to come by but worth looking as it does everything really well and it’s a Mopar/FCA product and will cost less than an aftermarket bumper

 

[ShadowsPapa]

ok so the steel bumper is the one that looks like it has bolts along the top and just because it s a Rubicon it is not a steel bumper. Thanks in advance. Im looking at one for sale they clam is a steel bumper but it looks exactly like my bumper but has the red tow hooks with it

Like they said - standard Rubicon bumper is not steel. There were also TWO skid plates used on Rubicon - one that bolted to the STEEL bumper, and one that was used with the "plastic" bumper that had front brackets instead of bolting to the bumper.
So Rubicon basically could come several ways, depending on the bumper and skid plate options chosen.

Here is a picture of a STEEL Rubicon bumper on an Overland ->

 

[Turfman454]

Like they said - standard Rubicon bumper is not steel. There were also TWO skid plates used on Rubicon - one that bolted to the STEEL bumper, and one that was used with the "plastic" bumper that had front brackets instead of bolting to the bumper.
So Rubicon basically could come several ways, depending on the bumper and skid plate options chosen.

Here is a picture of a STEEL Rubicon bumper on an Overland ->

Thanks for pics and reply.my gladiator is the hydo blue also. That is a good looking setup with the steel bumper. What winch plate did you use. I'm back on the hunt. Thanks again

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks for pics and reply.my gladiator is the hydo blue also. That is a good looking setup with the steel bumper. What winch plate did you use. I'm back on the hunt. Thanks again

I bought a copy-cat bumper. It's basically just like the steel Rubicon bumper sold here in the states but possibly intended for the European market - that's speculation because it has front park sensor holes and comes with the sensor bezels.
I bought it on eBay for under $500.
It comes with a winch plate. It's likely not the best winch plate out there but I figured if this plate gets messed up some day, no biggy as I'll be able to afford a better winch plate with what I saved buying this bumper.
There's a couple threads out there on this bumper - on the Wrangler side of things and even here in the Gladiator side. eBay knock-off as key words might get you to those threads.

This is the winch plate this bumper comes with -

I had to notch the bumper top a bit for my huge winch to clear.......

 

[Turfman454]

I bought a copy-cat bumper. It's basically just like the steel Rubicon bumper sold here in the states but possibly intended for the European market - that's speculation because it has front park sensor holes and comes with the sensor bezels.
I bought it on eBay for under $500.
It comes with a winch plate. It's likely not the best winch plate out there but I figured if this plate gets messed up some day, no biggy as I'll be able to afford a better winch plate with what I saved buying this bumper.
There's a couple threads out there on this bumper - on the Wrangler side of things and even here in the Gladiator side. eBay knock-off as key words might get you to those threads.

This is the winch plate this bumper comes with -

I had to notch the bumper top a bit for my huge winch to clear.......

Thanks the reply looks like it turned out pretty nice

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks the reply looks like it turned out pretty nice

I'm happy with the look and how it turned out. Granted, I've not USED the winch yet - and in Iowa, it will probably be used more for chores around the acreage than due to off-roading, but who knows. Could use it to winch myself or someone else out of a snowy ditch.
It looks just like the $1500 MOPAR steel bumper (which it may actually be - who knows, could be made by the SAME factory?) and if there's a problem, I've got $$ padding in case I twist or bend the cheaper winch plate that comes with these particular bumpers and I'd still be lower cost in the end.
Anyway, it's an OPTION for anyone looking for bumper ideas. There's pros and cons to them all, it's PERSONAL PREFERENCE, there's no wrong or right bumper - if someone doesn't like it, who cares.

I like it - and I'm the one who looks at it and uses and drives it.
I DO really like the looks of the original stock Overland bumper (the same "plastic" bumper used on the other levels) but I PERSONALLY didn't want to deal with a winch with that bumper. I saved it, was really careful with it so if I mess this one up or for some reason change my mind, I can revert back in a couple of hours.

I like the JEEP bumper design. I don't need my JT to look like a Panzer.

 

[WhatExit?]

My Gladiator with factory steel bumper, winch guard (hoop) and Ultra Vision lights...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My Gladiator with factory steel bumper, winch guard (hoop) and Ultra Vision lights...

You got cheated - your bumper is shorter than mine.

 

[WhatExit?]

You got cheated - your bumper is shorter than mine.

Nope, it's the same...I have the "Convertible Bumper Option" - comes standard with the Launch Edition

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Was just messin' with ya. Same "Rubicon steel bumper".
I left the ends on because I do mostly street driving and in-town stuff. The places where people will run into you and not give a rip. It's another reason I went with a steel bumper. It's Iowa, people will knife or shoot you to get your parking spot and you have to have a strong, fast, easily maneuvered vehicle to get to that spot before some 20 year old "female" cuts you off and fingers you for the spot. You want bumpers here.

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