To mount, or not to mount... (UPDATED w/ pics)

[Medical_Bartender]

I need help making a decision on mounting a front bumper. I picked up my JT about 2 months ago and vowed to keep it as stock as possible for a while because:

1. I have a 2 door JK that is tastefully modded
2. Sh!t is expensive nowadays and I want to make good use of the factory parts I paid for (tires, suspension, etc)
3. The roadways suck here in Colorado Springs so I don't want to spend big $$$ on a fancy suspension setup just to trash it via on road driving since this is my DD mallcrawler for the time being.

Fast forward 2 months and I've fallen prey to the J.E.E.P. bug again since I've already had the bed coated in lineX, purchased a toolbox for it, steel rear bumper, tazer, LED headlights, and various other odds & ends that were certainly not needed. Most recently I purchased the ARB deluxe front bumper (full width, steel, probably ~150lbs without a winch) and am trying to decide if I should mount it up or not. I think it might look slightly goofy since my gladiator is at stock height currently, but I am mostly concerned about the suspension sag I might get with a heavy full width bumper on stock suspension. When I sit on the front bumper the suspension sags around 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I weigh around 180lbs, but also realize that this is static weight and not dynamic.

So should I mount the bumper now or wait until I lift in a year or so? What say ye?

2022 Willys Sport with stock suspension and mud terrains if that makes a difference to anyone.

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[Medical_Bartender]

Also would like to add that I'm not really looking to add a spacer lift or level kit at the moment. I do all my own wrenching and don't want to get into changing suspension bits yet as I am enjoying the factory ride and want to buy once cry once with a clayton lift.

 

[kevman65]

Only argument I can give you for bolting up, added protection for the front end.

There's a LOT of expensive bits up front that can be ruined with just a mild impact to that joke of a front bumper.

 

[Mr._Bill]

You've already spent the money, take the time and put it on. If you are satisfied with how it looks, that's all that matters.

 

[Medical_Bartender]

Only argument I can give you for bolting up, added protection for the front end.

There's a LOT of expensive bits up front that can be ruined with just a mild impact to that joke of a front bumper.

Very true, I had a big heavy wooden chair fly out of a truck and hit my JK on the Houston interstate. Steel front bumper had a small dent along with some minor hood/grill damage from when the chair exploded into splinters but could have been ALOT worse had I not had a steel bumper. Thanks for the input.

 

[Medical_Bartender]

You've already spent the money, take the time and put it on. If you are satisfied with how it looks, that's all that matters.

True, I'm inclined to just run with it, plus that would get the box out of my garage as well. My concern is if i'm not satisfied with the looks (sag) or if I'll be riding the bump stops at every pothole then I'll have to spend the time and money to lift sooner than I want. Those are the main reasons I'm considering not mounting it for the time being so hopefully someone has some insight on how a full width steel bumper will work out.

 

[Mr._Bill]

It's not the weight of the new bumper, it's just the weight difference between the new and old. I don't think it will be much of an issue.

 

[kevman65]

I put a full width Rock Hard bumper and winch on the front of my Rubi. Probably lost about an inch and I'm still on OEM suspension.

 

[Jeeperjaime2]

Pick up some Rubicon take off springs.
Should increase front height enough to offset the added weight. Save the Rubicon rear springs for later to put the "rake" back.

 

[rr11]

I replaced my front plastic bumper with a Fishbone mid with. A F150 backed into my JT in a parking lot cut the powder coat on the winch guard, over $2500 in damage to his truck (rear bumper right side of bed). With the plastic bumper he would have got my grill, hood, radiator and how knows what else. I have had some means of protection on all of my Jeeps.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ll add another vote for the “why not” camp. If you don’t like it then just put the stock one back on.

 

[Medical_Bartender]

Here's a little update w/ photo. I'll echo what I have read about the piss poor instructions included with ARB bumper. It took me around 5-6 hours total to remove the factory bumper and install this one. I've got a ton of leftover bolts/self tapping screws that I have no clue what to do with. That said, there are a bunch of add-on bits that did not come with this bumper, so maybe they go to them in part?

After mounting it up, this thing is SOLD. 8x M12 bolts to the frame horns along with 2x M12 bolts plus spacers to the sides of the winch plate mount connected to the frame. It was a bear to get in position but I was able to do it all myself without too much difficulty using my floor jack as a second set of hands.

I does NOT come with the cover plate for the winch mounting area. I have no plans to add a winch at this time, but if i cannot source the cover that may change since the fog light wiring is exposed in the "hole" and the big empty space just bothers me.

There was about 1/2 inch of suspension sag after adding it, and you can definitely feel the added weight up front with regards to handling and suspension compression with bumps/dips. That said I would 100% do it again. I think this bumper looks best with the factory flares rather than aftermarket though, so take that into consideration if you are looking at this bumper.

little before and after photo action...

 

[Rc328]

That bumper looks awesome, congrats ,

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