Knock off Rubicon metal bumper?

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't plan to use the winch plate that came with my bumper. I looked at it and it just doesn't look strong enough. I ordered the warn plate and looking at directions I think it will work nicely.

I may still one day end up with the Warn plate, but considering where my winch bolts, the size of the washers used, the small distances between winch and edge of the plate and other factors - there's not a lot of winch plate left by itself, it's doubled with the bottom of the winch, or the side brackets, etc. so I figured there wasn't a lot of room for it to bend.

What may help me decide as I move things over to my new truck is pictures of the Warn plate in place - exact placement of the side brackets, exactly how and where they bolt to the frame rails, exactly how much space is between the skid plate lower/rear brackets and the winch plate side brackets, and how much room would be left for my front receiver - I may change strictly because with the front receiver and skid plate brackets, all that's down there, it's a real magic trick getting that receiver in with the winch plate and skid plate brackets.
Seeing mine in place with the bolts, big flat washers (large and thick) and small amount of space where the plate stands on its own, I'm not so concerned about strength as I am for space moving things over. I like to improve things as I do them a second time.....

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[Empty Pockets]

I used the plate provided with the bumper and found it to be quite good. With the truck in 4 Low, engine off and brake locked, I pulled the truck on asphalt to check it out. There was absolutely minimum flex of the winch plate. I’m very confident.

 

[tonywin]

I don't plan to use the winch plate that came with my bumper. I looked at it and it just doesn't look strong enough. I ordered the warn plate and looking at directions I think it will work nicely.

If you decide you want to sell that winch plate, I'd be interested in buying it.

 

[sarguy1941]

Has anyone that installed this tried the plastic "air dam" aka skid plate temporarily ? I leave on a trip in 2 weeks and can't seem to find the steel one in enough time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Has anyone that installed this tried the plastic "air dam" aka skid plate temporarily ? I leave on a trip in 2 weeks and can't seem to find the steel one in enough time.

It's held to the plastic bumper via those heavy pins, as you know. You'd have to drill the bumper or make some bracket.
And it IS an air dam, you are right. No quotes needed. It says air dam right on it, it's in the parts book as an air dam, and that is its sole function. It is not a skid plate even though arm-chair engineers insist it is.

 

[sarguy1941]

Thanks. I'll try to make a bracket. After my trip I'll order the proper plate. Just trying to keep air flowing as much as I can. It's a 6000 mile trip so any save in GPM is a plus...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks. I'll try to make a bracket. After my trip I'll order the proper plate. Just trying to keep air flowing as much as I can. It's a 6000 mile trip so any save in GPM is a plus...

It does make a difference. Keep the air from hitting against the steering and suspension parts under there. It causes drag - these sit high enough, even not lifted, air hitting those parts, and they are rough parts that trap air like a sail, it matters.
It's amazing what the truck makers have done to reduce drag and improve air flow around, under and above their trucks. Even that top closure piece that clips to the top of the frame and then to the back side of that plastic bumper is to help with air flow.
I've watched hours of videos on the topics.

 

[sarguy1941]

Ya I was tempted to leave plastic bumper until after trip just for fuel economy, but really want a winch for the trip and with the 25% off at HF was worth grabbing it and doing it now. Hope it goes well cause I have next weekend before I leave and that's it.

 

[mr. cob]

Ya I was tempted to leave plastic bumper until after trip just for fuel economy, but really want a winch for the trip and with the 25% off at HF was worth grabbing it and doing it now. Hope it goes well cause I have next weekend before I leave and that's it.

Howdy @sarguy1941,

Did you use Warn part number "101255" winch mounting plate with your knock off steel bumper?

If you did, were there ANY problems mounting the bumper, did the bumper clear the winch mount without ANY modifications?

I tried using the stock Rubicon plastic bumper with the Warn winch mount part number "101255" and ended up cutting so much material from it to work with that winch mount as to make the bumper worthless. According to everything I can find the Warn part number "101255" winch mounting plate is SUPPOSED to work with the STOCK steel winch ready bumper. So before I order one of these knock off steel bumpers I want to make darn sure they will work with the mounting plate I have already installed.

Thanks for any information you can share.

Dave

 

[sarguy1941]

Dave...that was the plan but the warn plate has not arrived. If it does not I'll be using the one that shipped with the clone bumper. I don't have time to wait. Was told it was in stock and I'd have it this week. Still has not shipped.

 

[sarguy1941]

OK. So got my clone installed today. I'll get pictures tomorrow. Its dark now.

Question for those that have done this or the factory steel bumper. What do you use to replace the top air dam/cover that was clipped to the top of the bumper between the grill and bumper ? I cut mine up to make short pieces on each side but it doesn't look right. It covers the opening but I can't seem to find any Rubicon part to replace this with a winch installed ? Am I missing it or once folks install a winch they don't care ?

So for those interested mine was the clone bumper. I did have to replace the tow hooks because they did not go thru the holes. No clue why but I know the factory ones worked so they got installed. Used the provided winch plate although I am not a fan of the thickness. It installed fine. I didn't need to cut my bottom L brackets as some have had to do. YMMV. I left the plastic plate on the front and just cut out the opening for winch cable and bolts. Came out nice. Need to order a back one because I hate chrome. I was going to try to paint it but figured it wouldn't last long.


As another member I drilled a hole in the side of the cover and ran the B+ out the passengers side of the winch and put a plug in the old hole. The winch is close...very close to the grill but is not touching. I had to use the slotted holes in the plate as the 4 round holes would not line up.

I installed the SS3 LED amber fog lights. Just adjusted them and I can get to the inner bolt but not the outer. I'll remove them tomorrow and tighten the outer screw and pray I don't change the location. All in all it came out ok for a clone. It has some scratches but my jeep is used and it matches well. I got the bumper for $300 from a member here and spent $500 for the Badland 12K on sale so I'm still less than just the bumper.

Need to dig out the bumper plates someone was selling for the back to cover my fog lights and also need to find the PN for the plugs. I also plan to make a bracket (already measured) to use the old plastic air dam. After my trip to the GC and Moab I'll order the Rubicon steel one, but the plastic air dam will fit with some brackets. For me I dont care about looks but every MPG I can gain for a 6000 mile trip the better !

 

[Yona]

i had one of these installed on my JL and if you can before install hit it with some serious rustproofing (rhino lined) (linex) if possible, the winch plate is functional and i never bent it pulling f150s out of some med mud and heavy sand and snow BUT i did deform the bumper itself pretty easy when i would snug up the winch line which led to the rusting
Mine started to pit and flake with rust after about 12 months and only 1 winter

 

[ShadowsPapa]

i had one of these installed on my JL and if you can before install hit it with some serious rustproofing (rhino lined) (linex) if possible, the winch plate is functional and i never bent it pulling f150s out of some med mud and heavy sand and snow BUT i did deform the bumper itself pretty easy when i would snug up the winch line which led to the rusting
Mine started to pit and flake with rust after about 12 months and only 1 winter

I put mine on in 2020. I took it off a week ago to get the truck ready to trade. The only rust was where the pieces are against each other on the back side. I'd have never seen any rust had I not taken it off, and that could be prevented with a little effort.
Yeah, I bet many bumpers would flex a bit with the force of a 1200 pound winch line coming in tight. I saw mine move a bit but the force this winch generates could bent a lot of bumpers.
It never caused rust, though. I can get pics of the little bit of rust on mine when it's light out. It's laying apart in a dark garage right now.

Since I have the winch, there's no room for the top close-out piece that attaches to the top of the frame and the back of the plastic bumper. As far as I know, there isn't anything used with a winch.

 

[Yona]

before and after a few months. sorry best i had but it diffently started to flake alot by the end

 

[XraytecH]

I have an MP Concepts aluminum bumper. Main selling point is weight savings 40 lbs vs 80 lbs. Even more so if you leave out the end caps and winch plate. Also no rusting ?

This bumper came with gloss red hooks ? I used my oem orange hooks.

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