Smittybilt xrc gen 3 bumper install- is this right?

[JT's JT]

I recently got in a fender bender and had the auto body shop install a smittybilt xrc gen 3 front bumper. I wanted a stubby steel bumper with more aggressive styling and this seemed like a great option. I also liked that I could install a winch in the future but I did not plan on installing one now.

I just picked up my truck and I was shocked at how large the gap is between the grill and bumper. I have never bought a winch ready bumper before, does this gap look correct?

I am not sure if I made a poor choice of bumper or if it was installed incorrectly. I like the look from the front but am concerned that the additional front overhang may cause issues in parking lots etc. What does everyone think?

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[Gvsukids]

I just picked up my truck and I was shocked at how large the gap is between the grill and bumper.

Why?

but am concerned that the additional front overhang may cause issues in parking lots etc.

Wouldn't worry. Less people will park close to you.

 

[JT's JT]

I'm worried I'm going to pull too far forward and hit someone lol... Really wishing I had that Rubicon front camera

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

You can run a Wolfbox TriPro to get a front camera.

On the bumper: I’m not a fan of Shmitty Bilt stuff. I’ve seen it fail spectacularly due to incomplete/improper welds. Meaning I witnessed a rear tire carrier fly over the hood of a JK out in the dunes due to a failed weld. The top was welded on the hinge but not the underside.

I’d say run it for now and if you see anything you want a bit later on sell it off to help cover the cost of the new one.

 

[Gvsukids]

I'm worried I'm going to pull too far forward and hit someone lol... Really wishing I had that Rubicon front camera

You'll learn where it is. Just practice on a cone. That's why vehicles have bumpers too.

 

[ericw.]

You can run a Wolfbox TriPro to get a front camera.

On the bumper: I’m not a fan of Shmitty Bilt stuff. I’ve seen it fail spectacularly due to incomplete/improper welds. Meaning I witnessed a rear tire carrier fly over the hood of a JK out in the dunes due to a failed weld. The top was welded on the hinge but not the underside.

I’d say run it for now and if you see anything you want a bit later on sell it off to help cover the cost of the new one.

Was it the plate bumpers?

I've seen failures with the tube bumpers but I've had a really good experience with their plate steel bumpers. Even the finish was pretty strong on the one I had and abused.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Was it the plate bumpers?

I've seen failures with the tube bumpers but I've had a really good experience with their plate steel bumpers. Even the finish was pretty strong on the one I had and abused.

It was a plate bumper with tire carrier. This was a few years back so maybe they’ve upped their game but for a tire carrier to give way like that is just unacceptable in my book. That was a 35” tire attached to the carrier that went flying over a JKU. If they’d have had to stop suddenly for one of the many motorbike riders or side by sides out there and that would have hit them? That is a lot of weight to be sending over a Jeep into a human’s brain housing group. I was right behind them and it didn’t even register exactly what I was seeing until the dust settled. Haven’t bought a shmitty bilt product since and don’t plan to.

 

[ericw.]

It was a plate bumper with tire carrier. This was a few years back so maybe they’ve upped their game but for a tire carrier to give way like that is just unacceptable in my book. That was a 35” tire attached to the carrier that went flying over a JKU. If they’d have had to stop suddenly for one of the many motorbike riders or side by sides out there and that would have hit them? That is a lot of weight to be sending over a Jeep into a human’s brain housing group. I was right behind them and it didn’t even register exactly what I was seeing until the dust settled. Haven’t bought a shmitty bilt product since and don’t plan to.

Yeah I guess when you do that much bulk out of China or wherever SB comes from, there's going to be some problems. I was lucky with my XRC Gen 2 front and rear bumpers. They held up to a lot of winching and offroad abuse through the years.

 

[HorsesRear]

I think the bumper looks great on There.

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