Rugged RIdge Arcus Front Bumper Question

[HouseOfWolves]

Merry Christmas Jeepers!

I have combed through a ton of threads on front bumpers, and I am really interested in the RR Arcus front bumper.

For those with a JTR, were you able to get the OEM Rubicon skidplate work with it?
Also, any issues with using the bolt-on recovery hooks versus having them welded?
Has the bumper held up? Have read mixed reviews on fit-finish.

Thanks in advance, and appreciate any feedback y'all are willing to share.

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[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Just put one on.
Skid plate; no problem.
Finish looks a little thin.
Fitment was fine. Hooks are massive.
RR makes a welded stubby with the same hooks. Check it out.

 

[HouseOfWolves]

Just put one on.
Skid plate; no problem.
Finish looks a little thin.
Fitment was fine. Hooks are massive.
RR makes a welded stubby with the same hooks. Check it out.

Thank you -- I appreciate the response


I found what you were referring to:

Rugged Ridge 11540.32 HD Stubby Front Bumper for 07-22 Jeep Wrangler JL, JK & Gladiator JT

It is specified at 3mm and that is a bit short of the 3/16" other bumpers are built towards. I suspect that there is a materials tipping point between a $400-500 bumper and an +$800 bumper.

 

[Wet Willys]

I put one on a few months ago. The only fit problem I had was with the winch tray. I had to hammer it in to shape a bit before it would fit between the frame rails, and it was still a tight fit. I have no problem with the bolt on recovery hooks, they are stout and sandwich between the frame horn and the bumper shell with the bumper bolts. I feel like it's going to hold up just fine when I need to winch myself out. The Rubicon skid is supposed to fit with no problem. I have a Willys, so my crappy plastic skid went into the scrap pile. I'm still on the fence on whether I want to hunt down a Rubicon or Mohave skid, or use the RR one. It seems about 50/50 on reviews regarding fitment.

 

[BAT]

I have had the RR Arcus on for some time now and have had no issues with the bumper. Placed a Smittybuilt H20 10K in it along with the RR Skid Plate. Looks great and keeps some of the weight off of the front. Hooks are big but I like the look of them. I have done a few practice pulls to tension the rope and just get the feel of it and there were no problems from any parts during the pulls. I tried to get a Rubicon skid plate but couldn't find one around me. Is it a bit piece of steel like the Rubicon steel bumper no.

 

[cuellar13]

I've had mine on for about 9 months, no real issues at all. I have a Smittybilt XRC GEN3 12K winch mounted to it, and although I haven't used it for recovery, I've cut down and moved several trees with it on our property. See other answers below:

For those with a JTR, were you able to get the OEM Rubicon skidplate work with it? My OEM JTR skid plate worked perfect.
Also, any issues with using the bolt-on recovery hooks versus having them welded? None, though I haven't used them for recovery
Has the bumper held up? Have read mixed reviews on fit-finish. I had a couple of spots that the finish was thin, but I hit them with some touch up paint (very small spots) and have had no other issues. I got a good deal on the bumper, that included a rebate, so I wasn't going to bitch.

 

[andrew8404]

I’ve had mine on for around 20000 miles. It has held up great on several off-road trails. Just get a nice matching rattle can paint for when it gets scratched up.

 

[Wet Willys]

I have had the RR Arcus on for some time now and have had no issues with the bumper. Placed a Smittybuilt H20 10K in it along with the RR Skid Plate. Looks great and keeps some of the weight off of the front. Hooks are big but I like the look of them. I have done a few practice pulls to tension the rope and just get the feel of it and there were no problems from any parts during the pulls. I tried to get a Rubicon skid plate but couldn't find one around me. Is it a bit piece of steel like the Rubicon steel bumper no.

How was the fitment with your RR skid?

 

[BAT]

How was the fitment with your RR skid?

No issues with fitment that I am aware of. I actually had local shop put it on when they were putting in the winch as it seems that you have to remove or loosen the bumper to get it secured. So I just had them do it when they had the bumper off installing the winch. He said it was no problem getting it on

 

[HouseOfWolves]

I have had the RR Arcus on for some time now and have had no issues with the bumper. Placed a Smittybuilt H20 10K in it along with the RR Skid Plate. Looks great and keeps some of the weight off of the front. Hooks are big but I like the look of them. I have done a few practice pulls to tension the rope and just get the feel of it and there were no problems from any parts during the pulls. I tried to get a Rubicon skid plate but couldn't find one around me. Is it a bit piece of steel like the Rubicon steel bumper no.

Thank you -- that is a similar setup I was interested in going with -- just with the OEM skid. The winch is sitting in the garage just needing a bumper.

 

[HouseOfWolves]

Thanks Jeepers --- I appreciate the feedback.

What a wonderful community we have here!

 

[Jocww]

you guys notice a mpg hit when you put your new bumpers on

 

[USMC-SSGT]

you guys notice a mpg hit when you put your new bumpers on

Unfortunately it was all around the same time. I’d be willing to estimate though it’s a 1 mpg hit especially if you’ve got the stock with the attachments that cover the wheel gap to the fender.
My 35x12.5 are now 100% exposed to the wind.

 

[BAT]

you guys notice a mpg hit when you put your new bumpers on

I haven't noticed anything major but I really haven't been paying attention that much. Most of my hit on MPG came with tire change but I would think it possibly took a small hit moving to this bumper due to the change in aerodynamics

 

[Jocww]

Cool story! I think I asked where!

Unfortunately it was all around the same time. I’d be willing to estimate though it’s a 1 mpg hit especially if you’ve got the stock with the attachments that cover the wheel gap to the fender.
My 35x12.5 are now 100% exposed to the wind.

I haven't noticed anything major but I really haven't been paying attention that much. Most of my hit on MPG came with tire change but I would think it possibly took a small hit moving to this bumper due to the change in aerodynamics

you guys are making it hard to decide this or the MP 3 piece look alike mopar but in aluminum bumper.

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