Motobilt vs Rugged Ridge Build Quality

[Jenneraj]

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this has been asked before. I am going back and forth between a rugged ridge front/rear bumper setup and a motobilt front/rear set up. Price isn't too far off and I am wondering if there is a huge difference in the quality of the two companies. For reference, I am looking at the parts below.

https://motobilt.com/products/hammer-series-rear-bumper-for-jeep-jt-gladiator?variant=32418986459220
https://motobilt.com/products/jeep-...ator-the-hammer-series?variant=32084048085076

or

https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-gladiator-hd-rear-bumper-1154037.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-gladiator-hd-stubby-front-bumper-1154032.html


Thanks

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[kevman65]

Rugged Ridge doesn't list thickness for either bumper.

Motobilt doesn't list thickness for rear bumper.

If we are to assume (again, hate that word) that Motobilt's match, then the rear is 3/16" thick to match the front.

Your key will be, which is thicker. Another factor is where the items are made, Motobilt is American made. Their E-coating is probably a good product. I believe Rugged Ridge bumpers are made in China and if so the E-coating is questionable.

 

[THE SANDALORIAN]

The Motobilt stuff I have seen has been of a much better quality than Rugged Ridge. Motobilt is typically going to cost more and you'll also have to have it finished/coated as they ship their parts in bare metal. IMHO, the added cost is worth it though as their products will take a beating.

 

[Jenneraj]

The Motobilt stuff I have seen has been of a much better quality than Rugged Ridge. Motobilt is typically going to cost more and you'll also have to have it finished/coated as they ship their parts in bare metal. IMHO, the added cost is worth it though as their products will take a beating.

Awesome thanks, I did notice that the motobilt bumpers come as bare metal. I see they recomend some some paint called "Steel-It". Reviews look good on it.

https://motobilt.com/collections/st...zSQpS6zahdgoDOdXHhhUE9tSp_AlV9qoaAkt5EALw_wcB

 

[Jenneraj]

Rugged Ridge doesn't list thickness for either bumper.

Motobilt doesn't list thickness for rear bumper.

If we are to assume (again, hate that word) that Motobilt's match, then the rear is 3/16" thick to match the front.

Your key will be, which is thicker. Another factor is where the items are made, Motobilt is American made. Their E-coating is probably a good product. I believe Rugged Ridge bumpers are made in China and if so the E-coating is questionable.

Thanks for the input. I wouldn't mind paying a little extra if the quality is better.

 

[Zero_Accel]

I second @THE SANDALORIAN. It's basically do you want somthing out of a catalog or somthing that is a bit more hand built.

Motobilt is small company (you can even see the people who make it happen on their webpage!) vs Rugged Ridge which is much more mass market, at least as mass market as you can get with aftermarket Jeep parts. You'll be getting things that were mass produced in a factory, vs Motobilt items built in their shop.

I'd count on Motobilt being better quality, but more expensive.

As for my experience, I had a more "mass produced" rear bumper on my Jeep at first, a Go Rhino rear bumper, similar to Rugged Ridge in terms of quality and price.

While it was adequate for light off-roading and the occasional drag down an obstacle, I could tell that it wouldn't survive a serious impact.

Ended up swapping to a much stronger bumper from Rebel Off-Road, again similar to Motobilt in quality,fabricated in their shop in California. Much more expensive, but a lot stronger. You'll total the truck if you manage to destroy this bumper.

 

[THE SANDALORIAN]

Awesome thanks, I did notice that the motobilt bumpers come as bare metal. I see they recomend some some paint called "Steel-It". Reviews look good on it.

https://motobilt.com/collections/st...zSQpS6zahdgoDOdXHhhUE9tSp_AlV9qoaAkt5EALw_wcB

Steel-It can be great, but it can also get expensive quickly at nearly $40 per can. I prefer having the bumpers powder coated if you have a decent shop that can do it for you. You might find that it's actually cheaper than Steel-It and you don't have to do it yourself

 

[PW45]

I have the rugged ridge full width HD on my Mojave. one problem I had is the winch plate was flexing where it connect to the bumper. maybe a bad weld or something IDK but it was enough for the winch to contact the bumper and warp the front side.

I had an XHD on my JK and fricking LOVED that thing it was bullet proof.

 

[Jenneraj]

I second @THE SANDALORIAN. It's basically do you want somthing out of a catalog or somthing that is a bit more hand built.

Motobilt is small company (you can even see the people who make it happen on their webpage!) vs Rugged Ridge which is much more mass market, at least as mass market as you can get with aftermarket Jeep parts. You'll be getting things that were mass produced in a factory, vs Motobilt items built in their shop.

I'd count on Motobilt being better quality, but more expensive.

As for my experience, I had a more "mass produced" rear bumper on my Jeep at first, a Go Rhino rear bumper, similar to Rugged Ridge in terms of quality and price.

While it was adequate for light off-roading and the occasional drag down an obstacle, I could tell that it wouldn't survive a serious impact.

Ended up swapping to a much stronger bumper from Rebel Off-Road, again similar to Motobilt in quality,fabricated in their shop in California. Much more expensive, but a lot stronger. You'll total the truck if you manage to destroy this bumper.

Awesome, thank you for that feedback. Aside from the higher cost, I know I will have to paint it as well. I think the better quality will be worth it though

 

[Jenneraj]

I have the rugged ridge full width HD on my Mojave. one problem I had is the winch plate was flexing where it connect to the bumper. maybe a bad weld or something IDK but it was enough for the winch to contact the bumper and warp the front side.

I had an XHD on my JK and fricking LOVED that thing it was bullet proof.

Thanks for this, I don't do serious off roading so I could probably get away with the rugged ridge stubby.

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

I have RR Arcus front plus rear bumpers. But first thing I did when they arrived was bring them to local powder coater to have them stripped and custom coated because I don't trust RR finish quality. That said, no problems with either bumper of last several years.

 

[PW45]

Thanks for this, I don't do serious off roading so I could probably get away with the rugged ridge stubby.

I don't either, but I did have some pretty hard pulls buried in some snow. I haven't really used it hard since I noticed that but I imagine at this point i'll just keep using it. Doesn't look like it will have a catastrophic failure but more fatigue over time.

BUT.. the bumper looks fricking awesome.

 

[drewcnit]

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this has been asked before. I am going back and forth between a rugged ridge front/rear bumper setup and a motobilt front/rear set up. Price isn't too far off and I am wondering if there is a huge difference in the quality of the two companies. For reference, I am looking at the parts below.

https://motobilt.com/products/hammer-series-rear-bumper-for-jeep-jt-gladiator?variant=32418986459220
https://motobilt.com/products/jeep-...ator-the-hammer-series?variant=32084048085076

or

https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-gladiator-hd-rear-bumper-1154037.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-gladiator-hd-stubby-front-bumper-1154032.html


Thanks

So as a guy who has legit owned both those front bumpers and the motobilt rear bumper, I actually have an opinion and insight that matter for once ?

Motobilt Hands Down is better quality, the steel is thicker.
Now that does come with downsides - it's heavier, it comes raw steel, you will have to have it coated or coat it yourself.

Real life - the one time I winched with that RR bumper it groaned like the steel winch plate wanted to give. I've winched several times with my Motobilt bumper and that thing is solid.

Pics for reference -
RR Front bumper -

Motobilt Front -

Motobilt rear end -

Wish you were closer and this had popped up a couple weeks ago, I just sold that rear bumper.
Bob them all!

 

[drewcnit]

Awesome thanks, I did notice that the motobilt bumpers come as bare metal. I see they recomend some some paint called "Steel-It". Reviews look good on it.

https://motobilt.com/collections/st...zSQpS6zahdgoDOdXHhhUE9tSp_AlV9qoaAkt5EALw_wcB

Steel-It can be great, but it can also get expensive quickly at nearly $40 per can. I prefer having the bumpers powder coated if you have a decent shop that can do it for you. You might find that it's actually cheaper than Steel-It and you don't have to do it yourself

Steel-It is an amazing product, I used it on some brackets and trim pieces for the bobbed bed kit.
However, for it's price point, unless you can foresee needing the ability to weld on whatever you are coating, VHT Roll Bar and Chassis is just as good. I said what I said.
Parts below are drying in Steel-It, it sprays on thick and wet, feels like powder when dry and honestly cleans up a lot like powder.

My bumpers are powder coated, the cost for the front and rear Motobilt bumpers to be coated was $345.

 

[THE SANDALORIAN]

So as a guy who has legit owned both those front bumpers and the motobilt rear bumper, I actually have an opinion and insight that matter for once ?

Motobilt Hands Down is better quality, the steel is thicker.
Now that does come with downsides - it's heavier, it comes raw steel, you will have to have it coated or coat it yourself.

Real life - the one time I winched with that RR bumper it groaned like the steel winch plate wanted to give. I've winched several times with my Motobilt bumper and that thing is solid.

Pics for reference -
RR Front bumper -

Motobilt Front -

Motobilt rear end -

Wish you were closer and this had popped up a couple weeks ago, I just sold that rear bumper.
Bob them all!

Fantastic looking rig. That bed is in my future

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