What are downsides of running a stubby bumper on the street?

[Joe_G]

Took the extensions off my steel bumper to install wiring blocking plates behind the bumper and I like the stubby look.

I can imagine a few downsides on the street particularly in an accident but I was wondering what others thought about downsides of a stubby bumper on the street?

Appreciate any responses.

Sponsored

 

[Camaroboi13]

Might take a tiny hit on fuel economy if that matters. Also, when going through puddles you’ll get more going up, back, and onto the windshield for some stupid reason.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

It's illegal in some states. Definitely illegal in my state. Instead of pushing a pedestrian or bike rider away with your bumper you suck them under your tires and run them over. But, hey, you like the stubby look, can't argue with that.

 

[TomH]

My gas mileage got worse.

 

[Echo 6]

I removed my extensions a few years ago. Echoing what others have said. You may see a small hit to mileage but not too noticeable. We've driven back-and-forth from SC to MN both with and without the extensions and really didn't notice much difference. Do check your state's laws though: Some require a full-length bumper. And as stated by others, know that anything (or anyone) that makes contact with you while in motion is going to go under the wheels. This fact alone has certainly made me more cautious when driving. Enjoy the stubby look!

 

[Stitchedupseats]

People and bikes shouldn’t be in front of your jeep right? Stay off of the sidewalks!! lol.

my tires would hit anything but a stubby bumper at flex. Didn’t notice anything different with MPG or drivability.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

It's illegal in some states. Definitely illegal in my state. Instead of pushing a pedestrian or bike rider away with your bumper you suck them under your tires and run them over. But, hey, you like the stubby look, can't argue with that.

Look on the bright side…this would be considered a “feature” in a post-apocalyptic zombie situation.

For this reason, go with the stubby, OP. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Zachanadandy]

The tire will absorb impact in a collision, the bumper not so much. A slight fender bender will fold those extensions. A more aggressive impact on the outer portion will bend the frame. I'd rather the tire climb your civic like an obstacle than damage my rig. As far as pedestrians go, any speed over a crawl would knock them down and you'd run them over anyway. Do you guys bump a lot of cyclists in parking lots? That's about the only scenario I see where the stubby would increase the risk to pedestrians. Person vs vehicle is a losing battle regardless.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I don’t want anything under my tire in an accident. I hit a deer with my wings on (not mopar bumper, custom), and it hit the driver wing. It bounced off with minimal cosmetic damage. Had it been stubby, I’d have had significant damage to fender, lights, driver mirror, etc. it was a large deer. In an interstate accident, having the wings off could be the difference between an impact and a loss of control or worse, a roll over if you jump a large enough object.

My wings are on unless I’m offroading.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-admin-warning-no-politics.23705/post-1195088

 

[JustinLentz]

I had a stubby on my previous JT. I took an impact at the front passenger corner. The full bumper "could" have prevented more damage than the stubby but without the full bumper, I guess I'll never know. The impact hit the front bumper, fender and pass front tire... shifted enough of the frame and ended up getting totaled. The claims guy said the full bumper would have helped. Who knows.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I had a stubby on my previous JT. I took an impact at the front passenger corner. The full bumper "could" have prevented more damage than the stubby but without the full bumper, I guess I'll never know. The impact hit the front bumper, fender and pass front tire... shifted enough of the frame and ended up getting totaled. The claims guy said the full bumper would have helped. Who knows.

Had I hit the estimated 300lb deer with the stubby at 60mph, I’d have likely had many thousands of dollars in damage. With the wings, I bent my license plate as it bounced across the bumper, and got a cosmetic only tiny bend in the hood edge. It would have been night and day. For me, the less than 10mins to put the wings on after the trail are well worth it.

 

[GWolgamott]

I did thousands worth of damage with full width anyways when I hit a deer, it bounced off front then ripped my passenger fender clean off. After that I had considered the mopar steelie that could take the wings off before I went with a simple design I just like. Really for my own aesthetic choice over no other reason.

Honestly I don't think there is much down sides to a stubby if that is what you want though.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The stock bumper is about 16 ga stamped, double wall steel and doesn't extend to fully cover the tire anyway.

Also, you can't stop the laws of physics no matter what you put on the front.

There's really no downside, because anything anyone can bring up, is kind of a BFD no matter what bumper you had, like hitting cyclists...

 

[BennieD]

It makes others jealous!

 

[RangerG]

I lost one(1) mpg going to stubby bumper. 2020 JTR 37” KO2. 3.5 “ lift 4.88 gears.

Sponsored