Plastic vs Steel OEM Bumper

[ballnm]

Pardon my complete lack of knowledge here as I just bought my 21 Gladiator Rubicon but I'm trying to figure out which bumper package I have.

I assumed that the set was the stock plastic bumper kit as the front felt plastic when examining it but then when I got to the rear bumper I noticed that it seemed to be pretty much steel with plastic attached to it. It has steel tube that wraps slightly around each side.

So I double checked the front bumper and reached my hand around the back side of the front bumper it feels like what is a cross steel section wedged between the inner and outer decorative plastic cowl.

Is it safe to assume that this is the plastic kit with the minimal structural steel components? I would think for the price the OEM steel kit is that there would be little to no plastic components.

Ill grab pics tomorrow if that helps identify.

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[Tuna]

you've got the plastic bumpers. The steel OEM bumpers are full steel.

 

[ballnm]

you've got the plastic bumpers. The steel OEM bumpers are full steel.

Awesome. Thanks.

 

[Jaxmax]

Rubicon rear bumpers are also steel, Mojave and other trims have plastic rear bumpers.

 

[JRobes]

Here's a breakdown:

Rubicon: gets steel rear bumper standard, front is a standard plastic bumper but can be ordered with the optional steel front bumper. If it's steel it'll have a bunch of bolt heads sticking out of it and the left right side wings are removable.

All other trims get plastic front and rear bumpers EXCEPT the sport/sport s freedom edition that gets the steel front and rear bumpers.

OEM steel bumper shown in pic, note the bolt heads.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Plastic -

Steel -

 

[ballnm]

Awesome.

The front is definitely plastic then. The steel rear bumper is it fairly solid? Wondering if it's worth replacing or it's more a cosmetic reasoning that people replace the rear bumper?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Awesome.

The front is definitely plastic then. The steel rear bumper is it fairly solid? Wondering if it's worth replacing or it's more a cosmetic reasoning that people replace the rear bumper?

Only you can decide if you want to replace it.
What's the typical use for your JT?
Will it see a lot of truly hard trails and rocks?
Or will it be like logging roads and more mud and muck and driving through the woods?
To some it's a "cool" "looks tough" thing - replaced because it's looking good on the internet, peer likes and so on. For others, they bang the heck out of these on rough trails, and are trying to make things more damage resistant and in some cases, more streamlined to get through tough spots in the rocks and ravines.
For basic trails - I can't see a "need" to replace the rear bumper. If I could find one locally and cheap, I'd replace my Overland "plastic" rear bumper with a Rubicon rear.
(Personally, I think most aftermarket rear bumpers for these are butt-ugly, but that's just me)
Not a fan of the "i built it in my farm shop with a torch and stick welder using scraps laying around" look too many of them have - a blacksmith designed and built it, not for me.
Again, that's me.
Are tougher rear bumpers really needed? I'd bet for half of those sold and installed - not necessary - just a guess, but it sure makes the JT look tougher, less like a street truck - and jeep people tend to hate that look with a passion.

So - how will YOU use YOUR truck??
I use mine like a truck, it's a tow vehicle and a daily driver. As a truck - I want it to have tougher bumpers (and because Iowans drive like, well, Iowans)

 

[JRobes]

To add to the above, keep in mind steel bumpers typically add weight, so if you prioritize payload/towing capacity you'll sacrifice some of it. Heavy bumpers/accessories can also cause your suspension to sag a bit; mine dropped about an inch when I added the OEM front steel bumper, winch plate, and winch so I added some front spring spacers to compensate.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

To add to the above, keep in mind steel bumpers typically add weight, so if you prioritize payload/towing capacity you'll sacrifice some of it. Heavy bumpers/accessories can also cause your suspension to sag a bit; mine dropped about an inch when I added the OEM front steel bumper, winch plate, and winch so I added some front spring spacers to compensate.

↑↑↑

 

[Curt Oz]

Replaced my plastic bumpers with steel.
The front is Mopar's off road bumper and the rear is Rubicon steel.

 

[ballnm]

Only you can decide if you want to replace it.
What's the typical use for your JT?
Will it see a lot of truly hard trails and rocks?
Or will it be like logging roads and more mud and muck and driving through the woods?
To some it's a "cool" "looks tough" thing - replaced because it's looking good on the internet, peer likes and so on. For others, they bang the heck out of these on rough trails, and are trying to make things more damage resistant and in some cases, more streamlined to get through tough spots in the rocks and ravines.
For basic trails - I can't see a "need" to replace the rear bumper. If I could find one locally and cheap, I'd replace my Overland "plastic" rear bumper with a Rubicon rear.
(Personally, I think most aftermarket rear bumpers for these are butt-ugly, but that's just me)
Not a fan of the "i built it in my farm shop with a torch and stick welder using scraps laying around" look too many of them have - a blacksmith designed and built it, not for me.
Again, that's me.
Are tougher rear bumpers really needed? I'd bet for half of those sold and installed - not necessary - just a guess, but it sure makes the JT look tougher, less like a street truck - and jeep people tend to hate that look with a passion.

So - how will YOU use YOUR truck??
I use mine like a truck, it's a tow vehicle and a daily driver. As a truck - I want it to have tougher bumpers (and because Iowans drive like, well, Iowans)

Yeah, mine is basically a daily driver and tow vehicle. I needed mid size pickup and wanted something I could trail with as well as handle the third world streets we have in my Milwaukee. I've literally seen a sink hole open up and swallow a car on more than one occasion.

Reason for asking about the bumper is that we have a severe reckless driving issue in Milwaukee. So more concerned from a safety/damage prevention aspect in case of when someone backs in to me or hits me while they are doing the Milwaukee Slide in a stolen Kia. I do expect I will get up North and run trails once or twice per year.

Used to own a 1974 FJ40 but am fairly new to Jeeps. Guess when it came time to pick a vehicle nostalgia got the best of me. But so far love the truck.

 

[Jaxmax]

Replaced my plastic bumpers with steel.
The front is Mopar's off road bumper and the rear is Rubicon steel.

I really like that Mopar Performance front bumper , looks more finished then the bolt together version and is narrower then the steel or plastic bumpers, if you don’t take off the ends. Plus front shackle mounts are nice.
Your Jeep looks great!…..Jack

 

[Curt Oz]

I really like that Mopar Performance front bumper , looks more finished then the bolt together version and is narrower then the steel or plastic bumpers, if you don’t take off the ends. Plus front shackle mounts are nice.
Your Jeep looks great!…..Jack

Thanks
The sucker is heavy plus it comes with Mopar's 10 year corrosion warranty.

 

[JRobes]

Yeah, mine is basically a daily driver and tow vehicle. I needed mid size pickup and wanted something I could trail with as well as handle the third world streets we have in my Milwaukee. I've literally seen a sink hole open up and swallow a car on more than one occasion.

Reason for asking about the bumper is that we have a severe reckless driving issue in Milwaukee. So more concerned from a safety/damage prevention aspect in case of when someone backs in to me or hits me while they are doing the Milwaukee Slide in a stolen Kia. I do expect I will get up North and run trails once or twice per year.

Used to own a 1974 FJ40 but am fairly new to Jeeps. Guess when it came time to pick a vehicle nostalgia got the best of me. But so far love the truck.

In my eyes, it's sometimes better to have a bumper that's going to flex and absorb damage in minor impacts. If you have a stout steel bumper that's mounted to your frame, if the hit is severe enough it can also cause the impact damage to the frame which can end up being more costly and harder to fix. Besides, if they hit you, it's their insurance replacing whatever bumper you have (or your uninsured driver insurance kicks in), so I wouldn't be concerned about minor impacts.

If you end up damaging the OEM plastic one and need a replacement, keep an eye on local marketplaces (Facebook especially), people sell them all the time for cheap or free.

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