School me on bumpers...

[JAsh1967]

Currently driving a stock '22 Sport S and I'm looking to get a front bumper. I like the look of mid-widths, I want to keep the stock fog lights, and I'm likely to put a winch on it. I'd also like to be able to keep the Jeep in the garage still, so nothing that sticks out farther than the stock bumper (I've got a inch or two of wiggle room there, though)

I've looked at the MetalCloak Frame-built, but what suggestions does everyone have?

Also, what are the benefits of steel over aluminum? Or is it pretty much a wash between the two?

Now, some other important notes, I'm not aiming to get a lift any time soon, I might eventually go to slightly larger wheels and tires, and the Jeep is our tow vehicle for our camper (~4-500lb tongue weight loaded, ~3200lbs on the axle last summer) and that won't change. So if a heavy front bumper would impact our towing, well...

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[Hootbro]

I'd also like to be able to keep the Jeep in the garage still, so nothing that sticks out farther than the stock bumper

You want the MOPAR Rubicon Steel Bumper if sticking to OEM dimensions is your main goal.

 

[WILDHOBO]

You want the MOPAR Rubicon Steel Bumper if sticking to OEM dimensions is your main goal.

Agreed. And someone just posted one for sale on the forum.

 

[WILDHOBO]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/oem-front-steel-bumper-skid-plate.74851/

 

[Mr._Bill]

The way I see it is you're looking at partial plastic versus all metal bumpers. All metal better withstands damage, but comes at a price and weight cost. Aluminum overcomes most of the weight issue, but at a higher dollar cost. You need to decide why you want a bumper change, and just how much you're willing to spend to get it.

Do you need, or want, a winch?
Do you leave the pavement, or is it all highway travel?

There are a lot of threads on bumpers, and many include the side effects of changing them.

One option to consider is the aluminum clone of the Mopar steel front bumper. It has one or two of its own threads.

 

[JAsh1967]

If their location is accurate, I kind of think the cost to get it shipped from Gaum will be more than just buying a new bumper LoL

I'm not wedded to staying close to stock length (front to back,) worst case the Jeep gets exiled to the driveway instead of the garage and I curse like a sailor when it snows and I need to go to work and have to clear it off...

 

[WILDHOBO]

If their location is accurate, I kind of think the cost to get it shipped from Gaum will be more than just buying a new bumper LoL

I'm not wedded to staying close to stock length (front to back,) worst case the Jeep gets exiled to the driveway instead of the garage and I curse like a sailor when it snows and I need to go to work and have to clear it off...

Wow. I didn’t check they’re locale. That’s hilarious. You might be able to buy 4 bumpers for that shipping cost.
And I hear you loud and clear. Here’s mine this morning. I use an 18v Milwaukee blower to clear snow off cars.

 

[JAsh1967]

So part of my looking at a front bumper is looks, most of my driving currently is on the road, but I've gone to an ORV park a couple times and well, it's fun. I don't think I'll want to tackle any double-black diamond trails, but some ORVing on back roads and seasonal roads might be in my future...

 

[JAsh1967]

Wow. I didn’t check they’re locale. That’s hilarious. You might be able to buy 4 bumpers for that shipping cost.
And I hear you loud and clear. Here’s mine this morning. I use an 18v Milwaukee blower to clear snow off cars.

We haven't gotten hit...
Yet...
But winter is coming...

 

[WILDHOBO]

So part of my looking at a front bumper is looks, most of my driving currently is on the road, but I've gone to an ORV park a couple times and well, it's fun. I don't think I'll want to tackle any double-black diamond trails, but some ORVing on back roads and seasonal roads might be in my future...

You can’t go wrong with Warn, metal cloak, rock slide engineering, or any reputable vendor. My big thing, but I’m in the minority, is full width for safety on the road. So I’m a huge fan of modular. I started my journey with a Warn elite full width, which is a fantastic bumper. My tires got a bit larger and I started rubbing with the swaybar disconnected when stuffing the tire into the fender wells. I modified it to be a modular so I can go off-road with a stubby. But I never drive on the road with it stubbied. I’d rather not have a deer or Camry under a front tire.

 

[JAsh1967]

You can’t go wrong with Warn, metal cloak, rock slide engineering, or any reputable vendor. My big thing, but I’m in the minority, is full width for safety on the road. So I’m a huge fan of modular. I started my journey with a Warn elite full width, which is a fantastic bumper. My tires got a bit larger and I started rubbing with the swaybar disconnected when stuffing the tire into the fender wells. I modified it to be a modular so I can go off-road with a stubby. But I never drive on the road with it stubbied. I’d rather not have a deer or Camry under a front tire.

That's a good point on the benefit of a full-width, especially considering most of my driving would still be roads.

The Metalcloak frame-built is the first bumper I started looking at, since then I've been branching out on the brands to browse. I am planning to, to take the Jeep up to a local off-road shop that's been around for a long time in this area to see what they suggest, as well.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That's a good point on the benefit of a full-width, especially considering most of my driving would still be roads.

The Metalcloak frame-built is the first bumper I started looking at, since then I've been branching out on the brands to browse. I am planning to, to take the Jeep up to a local off-road shop that's been around for a long time in this area to see what they suggest, as well.

My advice would be to choose what YOU want for a bumper. Shops will sometimes suggest what’s most easy and profitable for them.

 

[High Alextude]

I’ve been eyeing the Bestop Highrock bumper. Looks like a nice mid width.

 

[Hootbro]

If their location is accurate, I kind of think the cost to get it shipped from Gaum will be more than just buying a new bumper LoL

The ad is "$400 shipped". That usually means that is the whole cost to your door.

Guam is a US Territory and for the most part, shipping from US territories are levelized costs

 

[Sarge502]

You want the MOPAR Rubicon Steel Bumper if sticking to OEM dimensions is your main goal.

Agreed. Besides it looks the best anyways IMO. Others are way too gawdy big and bulky and take way too much away from the sleekness in my opinion.

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