Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Huge front bumper review thread

47K views 60 replies 35 participants last post by  4x4mickey 
#1 ·
Ok, since someone on another thread suggested something like this:

Here are the rules:
1. post a picture of YOUR after market bumper after install (if possible, a before install picture of your Jeep as well)
2. list suspension mods already existing on your rig
3. intended use (rock crawling, DD, Mudding, light trail, etc)
4. list the following:

manufacturer
construction material(s)
weight of bumper
ease of installation
modifications needed
where purchased
cost
satisfaction

All bumper mods welcome

now THIS should be interesting.:popcorn:
 
See less See more
#45 ·
It was a small fortune but I figured that I should go ahead and do it now and enjoy my Jeep. The Winch was a Warn VR8000. Very reasonably priced. The bull bar came with the bumper.
Did you have to modify the suspension due to the weight? I like that you can put a winch and lights in the center like that. Looks great! :thumb:
 
#46 ·
1. post a picture of YOUR after market bumper after install (if possible, a before install picture of your Jeep as well)

Stock...
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tire Tire


Bumper... and other stuff...
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive tire


Close-up...
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tire Automotive exterior


2. list suspension mods already existing on your rig
Terraflex leveling kit

3. intended use (rock crawling, DD, Mudding, light trail, etc)
Lookin' hot for the gurlz at the mall. :whistling:

What is it?:
Metalcloak Frame built bumper w/60"light caps

Construction/weight:
All steel +/-70lbs.

Difficulty?:
Fairly difficult as far as bumpers go. Multiple pieces, 24 bolts, and 8 screws.

Required mods?:
Had to remove the lower bar and vacuum pump bracket completely, and relocate the vacuum pump. Extended fog light harnesses. Also flipped the sway bar motor over for ground clearance.

cost?:
$789 USD

satisfaction?:
LOVE IT! Looks tough, gained a lot of clearance up front, and increased my approach angle.
 
#52 ·
Well, the exact opposite of huge.

Everything was easy, with the exception of the stubby ends. 3.5-4 for the entire process, a large portion of that was the 2 stubby ends. I first connected them, then tried to mount the bumper. Well the upper most forward bolt got in the way of the frame rail, so I just took them off all together thinking it was the easiest way. Got everything in with relative ease, then spent a long time trying to get the ends back on. The mid section is so close to the frame rails that it is tight to get the nuts on, the ends are so tight that the bottom bolt can only be held on with a open end. The ends may have been easier if I had one of those combination wrenches that had the ratcheting box end. Or, better yet Craftsman has a new combo with both ends ratcheting. But, my ratcheting combos only go up to 18, and those are 19. (If you can find one in 19 it maybe worth it, just for this) or figure out how to get the bumper on with the stubbys already in place, minus the one bolt. Might not be that hard, I just went from one extreme to the other. Almost everything was metric.

I weighed my self 2 getting the same number holding the empty box, then again with everything that was going to be installed. everything as seen, 58 lbs. I again did the same this time weighing everything I removed from the jeep, minus all the dirt I was able to get to in the frame behind the bumper, 46 lbs.

Rugged Ridge Aluminum XHD, it is a DD with occasional mudding (Charleston, SC) is pretty flat. Currently have 3" Mopar lift.
 

Attachments

#53 ·
Last month I installed a Smittybilt SRC on my 2010 JK.
The install was not difficult. I had to drill the front mounting plates to get it on there, but I knew going in that I would have to do that. The winch installation was a bit difficult due to the presence of a flange that makes the back mounting bolts hard to access, but I was able to get it done with a low-profile swiveling socket. That is my only gripe about it. The bumper comes with holes pre-drilled for aftermarket fog lights and I added a pair of KC Apollo Pro lights to it.

The install probably added 140-150 pounds to the front of my Jeep and it seems to have caused a small amount of sag. I will be putting spacers on the front to level it out.

The first time I took it out on the trail, I hit the front skid plate pretty hard on a bank. The bumper did not sustain any damage that I can see--the powdercoat is still unmarred and it did not bend/break. It seems like a very, very solid piece of equipment. I had to get unstuck twice - once with a snatch strap and once with my winch and it held up very well.

My Jeep runs on stock suspension and it is my DD but I also take it out wheeling/mudding--nothing too extreme.

400 bucks from Quadratec. I love it and would not choose a different bumper. One of my wheeling buddies told me "I wasn't sure about it, but now that I see it on your Jeep, I really like it."

Picture of the finished product here:
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/quadratec-q9000-winch-unboxing-installation-with-pix-149442.html
 
#54 ·
Designed & built this bumper myself.
Cost me $40 in steel for the front & rear.
Winch plate, push bar & all weighs 70 lbs (excluding winch). Everything is 1/4".

I have the 2.5" TeraFlex lift, 35" tires.

It's kinda plain but so am I.





The link to my bumper build is in my signature.
 
#55 ·
ARB bar with 10,000lb winch. Running Rubicon Express 3in lift.

 
#57 ·
No suspension mods yet. Lift kit soon.
Use: DD, light trail, mild rock crawling.
ACE stubby, 1/4" steel, 85 lbs., slight trimming of OEM cross piece.
Picked it up at ACE. $435 + tax.
EXTREMELY satisified. I will get the rear one from them ASAP
Before:

After:

I prefer the look of a stubby bumper with flat fenders.
The front end sagged about 1" from the weight of the bumper and winch.
AEV pricing??? I think Apple makes the bumpers for them! :rofl:
 
#59 ·
Bushwacker flatties. $459 on their site. $50 rebate.


I don't have a true side view.


I gained about 3 1/2" of tire clearance.


Very nice product. Nice touches with molding around gas door and hood latches.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread!!!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top