Stubby bumper for a daily driver - cons?

[AnnDee4444]

Whatever they’re for, they suck. And the aftermarket doesn’t use them.

Most aftermarket bumpers aren't crash test rated either.

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[Industrialwrench]

Most aftermarket bumpers aren't crash test rated either.

Tbh I don’t think that’s why. They hide giant steel pucks so what’s an 1/8” of plastic going to do? The reality is the bumper wasn’t made to be used to “bump” anything. It’s a big waste of money for people thought they were getting something durable.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Tbh I don’t think that’s why. They hide giant steel pucks so what’s an 1/8” of plastic going to do? The reality is the bumper wasn’t made to be used to “bump” anything. It’s a big waste of money for people thought they were getting something durable.

AEV calls them "crush cans". At one point they had you reuse the OEM cans on their JK bumper, not sure about the JL though.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/jk-premium-front-bumper/

 

[Headbarcode]

The only potential downside to a stubby bumper on road is in a glancing frontal hit. The wings of a full length bumper would likely dig into and hold the other vehicle. With a stubby, the front tire would be the first point of contact. Since it's spinning and has a lot of momentum behind it, it'll want to climb vs dig in, resulting in a possible flip and barrel roll.

All that being said, I still prefer the stubby for the extra tire clearance for climbing and it looks better.

 

[FreedomFur]

Highly recommend the CavFab front stubby bumper. Get one on sale, great guys to work with.

 

[phageghost]

@gus2k
b) we're in California, and there are laws about things like that.
pretty sure if you check here you'll find the CVC says bumpers are supposed to be "track width"; that means they have to extend to the center of the tire.
people are welcome to argue about whether or not there's likely to be a ticket issued for non-compliance, but just be aware that it's a 'thing'.

As a fellow Californian, you got me worried that my stubby bumper might be a ticket magnet, lol. But I looked around a bit in the CVC and the only section I can find about bumpers says, basically, you have to have front and rear bumpers. That's it. Nothing about height or width that I can find: https://www.easylawlookup.com/Calif...xact=ON&pgno=531&par=11565&dlevel=2#par_11565

While I am happy to accept evidence to the contrary, at this point I'm thinking this may be one of the few things not banned (yet) in California.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[Chile1]

The only con is all of the attention you will receive..

 

[dragoneggs]

I needed lightweight, flat tow capable and the best I found was RockHard4x4 aluminum mid width including optional tow bar brackets and lowered winch plate. So I guess sort of a compromise between a stubby and full bumper in terms of protection. I had them delete the bull bar to reduce additional weight and eliminate front facing camera blockage.

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90248.htm

If you look close you can see the trailer plug receptacle mounted in the driver side jack/lift hole. Also the electronic brake breakaway switch mounted next to the driver side Baja Designs Aux LP4 light. And no tow bar baseplate required! More weight avoided.

 

[Speed331]

I went with a compromise. It gives more clearance for the tire but still extends even with the fender (came with a heavy duty winch plate as well). From straight on it looks like a stubby, as the wings are hard to see...

 

[Steph1]

Love my stubby also, but always end-up debating whether or not to reinstall the ends of it. Then put them on and take them off within a few days.

 

[FrostySerb]

Stubby bumpers look awesome … I’ve had this bumper on my last 3 jeeps!

 

[JAY1941]

I’ve been running one for about a year now. The Under components are less protected from the elements i.e. Coil seats, axel joints and sway bars. When I first installed the bumper I can remember a change in the wind flowing around the floorboard. It wasn’t anything negative but I did pick up on it, got used to it in about a day. I haven’t come across any downsides. I prefer to buy ones that at least cover the grill. Just try to get a well coated or aluminum one “ especially if you live in the north east”. These things take a beating. I think they make the front of the Jeep look much better.

 

[JAY1941]

 

[zouch]

i can confirm what you found on that "Easy Low" site; here's the horses mouth:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/....&article=11.5.&highlight=true&keyword=bumper
note that a strict interpretation of that Code could be read to mean the bumper that's on the vehicle must be a bumper from the vehicle manufacturer; hence an aftermarket part might not be considered legal, but something from Mopar Performance Parts might be.

i didn't find the section i'm thinking of relating to bumper width in the time i had to look for it, but this is probably the place to start if you're truly interested.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml

As a fellow Californian, you got me worried that my stubby bumper might be a ticket magnet, lol. But I looked around a bit in the CVC and the only section I can find about bumpers says, basically, you have to have front and rear bumpers. That's it. Nothing about height or width that I can find: https://www.easylawlookup.com/Calif...xact=ON&pgno=531&par=11565&dlevel=2#par_11565

While I am happy to accept evidence to the contrary, at this point I'm thinking this may be one of the few things not banned (yet) in California.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[Fatalis12B]

Most aftermarket bumpers aren't crash test rated either.

Ironman 4x4 bumpers are...

https://ironman4x4america.com/raid-series-stubby-front-bumper-kit-suited-for-jeep-wrangler-jl-jlu/

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