I have had the RockHard 4X4 full width aluminum winch bumper installed since last October. The install was quite simple and weight without winch is almost exactly the same as the oem bumper it replaced. I also removed a Mopar steering skid since the RockHard bumper provides such protection by design. Stock fog lights or Qtec LED fogs mount up with slight trimming of plastic from the top inner corner of the fog light housings. Trimming of approx. 1/8" material is simply done with a sharp knife or tin snips. All 4 mount screw holes are still perfectly usable. It is supposedly possible to mount fogs in the new bumper (they will be farther apart) by removing the wiring harnesses from attaching points to provide added slack/length to fit. I chose to get plug and play wiring extensions from eBay, 8 or 10 inches long IIRC. No muss no fuss.

The powder coat finish is holding up well.

You will need the RockHard vacuum pump relocation kit if the winch bumper is to be used. I don't recall the price, but it wasn't expensive..... 20 bucks or so.

If you go with this, I suggest contacting Rick at Quadratec for a quote. You won't be disappointed.

Be prepared for a possible delay of at least a couple of weeks between ordering and delivery. RockHard stays busy. You can call them to discuss any concerns. Great folks, btw. Delivery via freight truck with lift gate will be to your door and the driver will dolly the box to your garage. It's not heavy....... just bulky. Well packed too.

I'll check back tomorrow in case you have other questions about this bumper.

 

Thanks for taking a look at our aluminum line! We have 2 variants:

• 1/4" thick
• Black powder coat included
• 100% bolt on install
• Lifetime Warranty
• 100% Made in the USA
• Fits all winches
• Tow bar brackets available

RH-5045 - lowered winch plate
Rock Hard 4x4 Aluminum Patriot Series Full Width Front Bumper w/ Lowered Winch Mount for Jeep Wrangler JK 2/4DR 2007 - 2015 [RH-5045]

RH-5046 - standard/flush winch plate
Rock Hard 4x4 Aluminum Patriot Series Full Width Front Bumper for Jeep Wrangler JK 2/4DR 2007 - 2015 [RH-5046]

 

...I want this bumper so bad! I have rock hard skid plates under the jeep, they are awesome!

What's this about getting a quote from quadratec? Do they discount? The bumper is pricey and I'm sure it's worth it but at that cost I'd love to save a few bucks.

 

...I want this bumper so bad! I have rock hard skid plates under the jeep, they are awesome!

"What's this about getting a quote from quadratec? Do they discount? The bumper is pricey and I'm sure it's worth it but at that cost I'd love to save a few bucks.

Contact Rick via http://www.wranglerforum.com/f123/q...m.com/f123/quadratec-free-and-discounted-shipping-for-forum-members-211874.html Click the "PM" underlined near the bottom of Rick's comments.

 

Been looking at these bumpers and have a question on the bull bar light mounting options.

Has anyone mounted a light _under_ the bar? I'd like to have the front grill as unobstructed as possible, but wonder what the lights in between the bull bar and bumper would look like (if even possible).

Thanks much!

 

Doable, but you'd have to have light mounting "feet" long enough to get around our bar.

I'd go with this instead behind your winch fairlead:
Rock Hard 4x4 Winch Fairlead Light Mount [RH-6065]

 

Well Ill be danged if I didnt read this thread and then immediately get backed into. Hopefully I can upgrade my plastic jeep bumper to this RockHard Aluminum one.

 

Were you reading this thread AND got backed into?

 

Eeek. too expensive for me.. looks good but not 1200 good!

 

Yah but i cant justify spending 1200 on something thats just gonna get banged up. To each his own

 

If you can bang up one of our 1/4" thick bumpers - the rest of the Jeep has bigger problems :happyyes:

 

It's steel, not aluminum.

 

no stubby with inset winch and fog lights?

 

No - but each bumper does have tabs welded to the winch guard hoop for light mounting or you can pick up our RH-6065 to add lights.

Rock Hard 4x4 Winch Fairlead Light Mount [RH-6065]

 

Love this bumper - one of the nicest I have seen - not to mention 37# but the $1200 price tag - ouch - to rich for my blood - already have a small fortune in my jeep now...

 

I have the recessed winch version. I am exceptionally pleased. I did modify the front of it to center a hawse fairlead (Warn ZEON winch with synthetic line). Didn't take that long and looks great. Just installed the RH skid plates--2 in aluminum, 1 in steel.

 

I have the recessed winch version. I am exceptionally pleased. I did modify the front of it to center a hawse fairlead (Warn ZEON winch with synthetic line). Didn't take that long and looks great. Just installed the RH skid plates--2 in aluminum, 1 in steel.

I'm looking at RH skid plates. Leaning toward the aluminum. Which ones did you get and have you tried them out yet? Which are aluminum?

Thx.

 

64 Chevy,

Can you go into more detail on the Zeon winch install and fairlead center up? I have the 10,000 lb. Zeon and am getting this bumper. Very interested in how you lined things up and anything I should be aware of with the install? Thanks!

 

He recentered his fairlead mount - ours come standard slightly off center because most winches aren't center spool like the Zeon. Your Zeon will bolt right on without mod needed unless you wanted to take the extra step to center the fairlead mount.

 

sorry to bring up a old post......

how is the Alum flush/standard mount bumper different from the steel version in the winch mount areas and the shackle tab areas? Is it reinforced somehow or is there a steel insert? does it even matter ?

 

The steel and aluminum flush mount bumpers are identical, nothing extra construction wise is needed. We do include 2 rectangular plates for underneath the aluminum winch plate that your winch mount hardware installs through. These plates help distribute the load of the winch while recovering - otherwise there's no other difference in the 2 bumpers.

 

Thank you so much!

 

I have to say that my Rock Hard aluminum full-width bumper arrived this morning, and it's gorgeous. Packaged well, no damage.

Now I need the darn Jeep to attach it to!

 

Thanks for the information, I have been looking at them.

 

so Ive seen AL bumpers from other makers that look like an AL asking with steel parts underneath (like the shackle tabs). What makes that a "thing" for some but not others ?

thanks again.

 

I think I understand your question - if you are asking why some other bumpers are part steel and part aluminum, I don't have an answer for you, we don't speak for them.

I can tell you that when it comes to our aluminum front bumper, it's 100% 1/4" thick heat treated aluminum. Except for our shackle tabs those are 1" thick.

 

I am excited to get mine on Tuesday!!! Great to support a local company as well!!!

 

The fairlead on our front bumpers is purposely slightly off center so folks that have center spool winches (like the Zeon) and folks with traditional side spool winches (all others) can both safely run our bumpers.

 

Do you have any pics of the NON-recessed/low ride winch mount bumper with a winch attached? Thanks. Seems most photos with winch are from your low mount versions.

 

I have the Rock Hard Aluminum winch bumper installed on my 2015 and LOVE it. The bumper is great, and the service is better.

I tow it behind my truck camper using their tow brackets.

Easy install, great looks.

Good luck.

Kevin

 

Heres the @Rock Hard 4x4 Aluminum bumper with quadratec stealth 9500 winch. I apologize for no grill, but the chinese LED headlights didnt work like I thought, so I have to get the American made ones. Before on top, during in the middle (about 1hr including taking off the OE bumper), after is the bottom.

 

Here's my install with the fairlead centered for the Zeon winch. I move it over an inch or so, don't remember the exact dimension. The existing fairlead mount hole on the right will be exposed and you have to drill a new hole on the left and hog out some material to allow for clearance in the new location. The Zeon winch is a tight fit and you'll have to chop off some of the frame mounting brackets to get it between the frame rails. It's a bit of work but it does come together nicely. Sucks having to have the license plate cover up so much of the whole thing but WA requires a front plate.
Took this pic before I had the cable installed.

 

anyone with a pic of your aluminum stubby? I think I like the look better, and I like the one with factory fogs. I am ok with top mount winch when that day comes.

 

Identical to any photo of our steel stubby. Remember, our steel and alum line are twins (except alum is thicker material).

 

Purchased Rockhard due to the allowance of blue ox tow bar attachment points and for the light weight, only down side is smittybuilt winch is barely rubbing front grille. I should have redrilled holes 1/4" up! Good company they sent me extra 1/2" spacers but needed 1/4" or either longer bolts.

 

^Full width. Thanks for the photo, is what I was looking for.

Like the bumper AEV has, and was looking at it, but do not like the weight. Think the Hard Rock is the solution I have been looking for. Good design that flows into the fenders, has a bull bar, and has the light weight of aluminum.

 

Thank you, it's Rock Hard 4x4 by the way, we get the Hard Rock name all the time. Should have come up with it before Jeep did