Rock Hard aluminum vs. Steel front bumper

[Riding with Gladys]

Looking at rock hard bumper for my Mojave. The aluminum bumper is listed as crazy light - like 37lbs. Steel is 140lbs but that is including the built in skid plate and winch plate so by my math that's the same as the factory steel bumper on the rubicon with the same options. Question is , with the aluminum being so light, will it hold up to using a winch?(Warn Evo 10k) Also really like the steel with the front receiver option for my fishing set up. Is this much weight going to drop the front end on my Mojave significantly? I know there will be a difference in fuel economy but I didnt buy the gladiator for its mileage so I am ok with that. Going with Rock Hard because it seems to be the only one that doesn't require any mods to work with the Mojave. Any thoughts or is anyone running either of these?
Thanks
#RockHard

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[ParatusExpeditions]

I just removed my steel bumper (it’s for sale in the marketplace section) and it did not feel like 140lb as I removed it fairly easily alone. I had the skid still attached to it but not the wings (stubby config).
This seems closer to reality in my opinion:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rubicon-steel-bumper-weight.55828/post-1209324

Where did you get the 140lb?

 

[Prescottmojave]

On my Mojave I went with the RH full width aluminum bumper. Definitely lighter than than the plastic bumper, steel skid plate and tow hooks. I used a Warn EVO8s winch. No noticeable change in fuel economy or sag. I flat tow my Mojave so I need a bumper that was rated for flat towing.

 

[Donny WA]

I also bought the aluminum full width front bumper from Rock Hard for my Mojave. Crazy light bumper, Warn Zeon 10S winch installed. I have used the winch several times with no problems with the bumper. I would recommend getting the Warn 8s instead of the 10s. I had to grind down the winch housing a tad as well as the frame horns. An 8s would slide in perfectly. The bumper is awesome and looks great.

 

[Gvsukids]

Crazy light bumper, Warn Zeon 10S winch installed. I have used the winch several times with no problems with the bumper. I would recommend getting the Warn 8s instead of the 10s.

Why sacrifice capability for space?

 

[Riding with Gladys]

I just removed my steel bumper (it’s for sale in the marketplace section) and it did not feel like 140lb as I removed it fairly easily alone. I had the skid still attached to it but not the wings (stubby config).
This seems closer to reality in my opinion:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rubicon-steel-bumper-weight.55828/post-1209324

Where did you get the 140lb?

Just what it says on their website under specs for the rock hard. For the rubi just added up the shipping weight on quadratec for mopar steel bumper, skid plate and winch plate kit. Might be over estimating by counting the shipping weight.

 

[Donny WA]

Why sacrifice capability for space?

Just because of the incredible PITA of installing it. And to remove it to get the front grille off as well. An 8k is fine. I wanted to upsize for more capability, but I am just not sure I would make the same choice if I had to do it again.

 

[ParatusExpeditions]

Just what it says on their website under specs for the rock hard. For the rubi just added up the shipping weight on quadratec for mopar steel bumper, skid plate and winch plate kit. Might be over estimating by counting the shipping weight.

Oh I see the RH bumper is 140lb not the OEM Steel Mopar

 

[Gvsukids]

An 8k is fine

That seems awfully low for the weight of the Gladiator.

 

[Donny WA]

That seems awfully low for the weight of the Gladiator.

That seemed low to me as well, which is why I went with the 10k. But the official Mopar Rubicon winch is a Warn 8S as stated in the Gladiator accessory parts brochure I got with my truck. Go figure.

 

[Andy29847]

I put a Rockhard patroit full width bumper on my Rubicon. The package as shipped might have weighed 137#s. The bumper did not seem that heavy when I installed it. I also put on a Harbor Freight Apex winch. I ended up using both of the included sets (4 each 1/2" & 1") of spacers and I re-routed my cable form the housing of the winch to make it fit.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...d-full-width-bumper-install.38206/post-617563

 

[SoCal Gunner]

This bumper sounds pretty intriguing: super light, fits OEM fog lights, and works with Mojave reservoirs and skid plate? Well, there is a price trade-off - LOL But still, this thing looks nice.

Any obstruction to the view from an OEM front camera?

I want pictures!

 

[Prescottmojave]

This bumper sounds pretty intriguing: super light, fits OEM fog lights, and works with Mojave reservoirs and skid plate? Well, there is a price trade-off - LOL But still, this thing looks nice.

Any obstruction to the view from an OEM front camera?

I want pictures!

Here are a couple of photos of my RH Aluminum bumper. Sorry about the time delay. Hope these help.

 

[SoCal Gunner]

Here are a couple of photos of my RH Aluminum bumper. Sorry about the time delay. Hope these help.

Much appreciated- looks great!

 

[Riding with Gladys]

Thanks for all the feedback. I went with the steel mid-width mostly because it has the receiver built in. Love the look and didn't appreciate any noticeable drop in the front end. I am sure there was some but if I can't tell by looking I am ok with it. Only issue I had was the factory led fog lights were pointed too low so I had to add some washers to the upper 1/2 of the mounting brackets. Otherwise installation was a breeze, no issues with the remote shock reservoir or any other Mojave specific issues that seem to be in the way for many of the other bumpers/skid plates.

Anyone need a fully disassembled factory plastic bumper and Mojave skid plate and orange tow hooks?

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