Steel Vs Aluminum Bumper For Exo Cage (Is jeep too heavy?)

[thedigitalmc]

Hey guys, looking for some real-world input before I pull the trigger on a front bumper.

I’ve got a Gladiator that’s already built out pretty heavy. Running 37s, have a full exo/roll cage tied into the back of the jeep. I carry gear, use it off-road regularly. Not a mall crawler, but also not trying to build a full-on buggy.

I’m stuck between going aluminum vs steel on the front bumper. The aluminum option I’m looking at is around 37 lbs (https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90245.htm), and the comparable steel version is like 130–140 lbs (https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90212.htm). That’s a pretty big swing, especially hanging off the front. My gut says the weight savings is huge, but I don’t want to give up too much strength, especially since I kinda want to tie my cage into the bumper - protect from a rollover since I've got so much invested in this already - but I worry I'm going to add too much weight .

Couple things I’m trying to figure out:

• Could I tie a steel cage into a 1/4 inch thick alumunim bumper. They would be brackets, not welded obviously
• How noticeable is that extra ~100 lbs on the nose in real life? Steering, suspension, sag, wear, etc.
• With a cage already on the Jeep, am I getting to a point where I’m just stacking too much weight up front?
• Are these aluminum bumpers actually built to handle real winching and recovery, or are they more for lighter use?
• Would it make more sense to just run a lighter-duty steel bumper instead of going full heavy plate (https://www.extremeterrain.com/redrock-4x4-jeep-gladiator-rock-crawler-front-bumper-jg1313.html)?

I do plan to run a winch and will use it. I have the Warn Zeon 12k synthetic. I’m not out there doing sketchy yank recoveries all the time, but I’m also not babying it either. Basically trying to find the balance between strength and not turning the front of this thing into a tank that kills my suspension and steering over time.

Would appreciate any real-world experience, especially from guys with heavier builds or cages tied into their bumpers. Here are some pics attached. Two of them are how I MAY end up doing the cage up front. The sideangle in the driveway is what I look like now.

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[smlobx]

Wow! That’s a crazy build! Are you planning on rolling your Jeep or put yourself in a position to roll it? The weight of all that steel negates the consideration of an aluminum bumper IMHO.

But to answer your questions:

• Could I tie a steel cage into a 1/4 inch thick alumunim bumper. They would be brackets, not welded obviously

You could but why would you if your desire is to really provide protection

• How noticeable is that extra ~100 lbs on the nose in real life? Steering, suspension, sag, wear, etc.

On a regular build there is a slight noticeable difference but in your case it won’t make any difference with all the other weight you’re adding.

• With a cage already on the Jeep, am I getting to a point where I’m just stacking too much weight up front?

Too much weight up front and probably the rest of the Jeep as well!

• Are these aluminum bumpers actually built to handle real winching and recovery, or are they more for lighter use?

Yes the aluminum bumpers are built to handle winching because of two factors. The aluminum is more or less a skin and they have steel behind them but more importantly the winch will sit on a steel winch plate that will provide structural support for winching.

• Would it make more sense to just run a lighter-duty steel bumper instead of going full heavy plate

At this point it probably won’t make any difference..

Another thing to consider based on your mark up is if you will have the clearance to mount the vertical support at the B pillars. There’s not much room to put a pipe there and still allow full operation of the doors but maybe a good fabricator can do it…

 

[willys 41]

Rock hard aluminum with some mods.

 

[thedigitalmc]

Rock hard aluminum with some mods.

Nice! That looks really clean - does it feel as sturdy as it looks? While I know it's not ideal... do you think mouting an exo to that bumper would be even slightly realistic.

@smlobx - Thank you so much for the detailed response. I am kinda on board with you around it's already so heavy, what's it matter... The thing is right now all the weight is on the rear though, so there is no stearing components and the approach angle isn't as much affected. My fear is if I weigh down the front - all those components will start to suffer. I don't even plan on rolling it, and don't do stuff that would encourage it... but even a couple weeks ago, it was a bit wet and I started sliding sideways and almost went off a small but dangerout 2-3 foot drop sideways (would have rolled). I'm not going to take this up crazy rock mountains - but I will go all over West Virgina, Ky and Indiana doing rides with a more "advanced" route. Again more overlanding / trail riding then dedicated rock climbing, but there are plenty of areas to make mistakes.

I was just thinking IF I do a moderate exo-cage in the front, is it worth it tosave that 100lbs - couldit be the straw that broke the camel's axel haha.

 

[willys 41]

Nice! That looks really clean - does it feel as sturdy as it looks? While I know it's not ideal... do you think mouting an exo to that bumper would be even slightly realistic.

@smlobx - Thank you so much for the detailed response. I am kinda on board with you around it's already so heavy, what's it matter... The thing is right now all the weight is on the rear though, so there is no stearing components and the approach angle isn't as much affected. My fear is if I weigh down the front - all those components will start to suffer. I don't even plan on rolling it, and don't do stuff that would encourage it... but even a couple weeks ago, it was a bit wet and I started sliding sideways and almost went off a small but dangerout 2-3 foot drop sideways (would have rolled). I'm not going to take this up crazy rock mountains - but I will go all over West Virgina, Ky and Indiana doing rides with a more "advanced" route. Again more overlanding / trail riding then dedicated rock climbing, but there are plenty of areas to make mistakes.

I was just thinking IF I do a moderate exo-cage in the front, is it worth it tosave that 100lbs - couldit be the straw that broke the camel's axel haha.

Yes. Very strong. But I did make a brace for the underside skid. It attaches to one of the sway bar brackets bolt on each side.

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