The Aftermarket Bumper List (JL / JLU Wrangler)

[POL]

For those who were looking at the Rock Slide engineering bumper, I just got some informations from the brand about the compatibility with the Sport/sahara and Rubicon fenders :

"Here's how the finished product changed from the one in our pics. We did make the top of the bumper lower to accommodate the Sport and the Rubicon will now have a gap. The JL has had it's challenges so were moving slowly with all of our accessories. The rear bumper is still in the designing stages..."

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[Therealjakedatz]

That sucks, I have a Rubicon and loved the look of that one. Didn’t pull the trigger in time.

For those who were looking at the Rock Slide engineering bumper, I just got some informations from the brand about the compatibility with the Sport/sahara and Rubicon fenders :

"Here's how the finished product changed from the one in our pics. We did make the top of the bumper lower to accommodate the Sport and the Rubicon will now have a gap. The JL has had it's challenges so were moving slowly with all of our accessories. The rear bumper is still in the designing stages..."

 

[Cov]

That sucks, I have a Ribicon and loved the look of that one. Didn’t pull the trigger in time.

Just lower your fenders to make it flush. I too LOVE the look of fender flush bumpers

 

[Aclud4]

Artec Industries UPDATE!

I wanted to give a quick update. I reached out to Northridge4x4.com, where I bought the bumper and they couldn't have been better. They were able to get a hold of Artec and provide me with the missing instructions for the bumper and the sway bar skid plate. It turns out the "odd" bracket Artec sent was indeed the nut rivet tool, which wasn't what I was expecting. I was able to install the sway bar guard in about 20 min after receiving the necessary directions. Not only did Northridge step up to the plate, but Artec did as well. They both got a hold of me and provided additional photos on the install and instructions.

What happened next blew me away, not only did the contact at Artec email me, he gave me his personal cell phone in case I needed to get a hold of him with any problems on the install, but it didn't end there. Artec apologized for the troubles and took ownership of the quality escape. They said that they stand behind their products and were admittedly short handed in their customer service department. He assured me that they are actively hiring to avoid delays in taking care of customer issues. Not only that he made me two offers to make up for the trouble during my install:

1. If I was unhappy with the bumper they would ship me a replacement at no charge and issue my credit card a $300 credit to allow me to get the new bumper painted. ($300 is what it cost to get the current one done).

or

2. If I was happy with the front bumper installed as is, they will send me the matching rear bumper ($650 retail) to me at no charge.

Honestly I was blown away. I didn't ask for anything other than some instructions and some help on the install, nor did I expect a response like this. I was definitely upset with the install, but as I mentioned in my review I was impressed with the build quality and the looks. I will definitely give Artec another chance and I'm looking forward to the matching rear bumper. Thank you to Northridge and Artec for going above and beyond. It was unexpected and very much appreciated!

Sinerely,
Ray

Maaaan I’m glad I kept reading. I really like that bumper and was put off at your first post. Thank you for taking the time to update!

 

[johnnymiz]

Rock Hard 4x4 full width aluminum

 

[Carlton]

For the carryover JK bumpers that fit on the JL is it confirmed that the Rubicon OEM halogen fog lights do not fit?

There seems to be different versions of the fogs.

 

[KCwrangler]

@ROAM whats the status on the rear bumper??

 

[GlitteryPonies]

So I have been looking for a stubby bumper that utilizes the factory halogen fog lights and doesn't have a gaping hole in the top for a winch. Don't want/need a winch. Are there any options?

 

[Carlton]

So I have been looking for a stubby bumper that utilizes the factory halogen fog lights and doesn't have a gaping hole in the top for a winch. Don't want/need a winch. Are there any options?

I can't find one that uses the factory halogen lights. I've been looking. I'm ok with a winch though.

 

[WranglerAz]

So I have been looking for a stubby bumper that utilizes the factory halogen fog lights and doesn't have a gaping hole in the top for a winch. Don't want/need a winch. Are there any options?

I think LOD makes one which does not take a winch, and one that does.

 

[dudemind]

So I have been looking for a stubby bumper that utilizes the factory halogen fog lights and doesn't have a gaping hole in the top for a winch. Don't want/need a winch. Are there any options?

I think LOD makes one which does not take a winch, and one that does.

Yup, LOD's Destroyer has a top-mounted winch option (i.e. no gaping hole, but some small ones to allow for common winch bolt patterns) and their Signature has the recessed mount. Based on the installation notes, both take factory halogens or plastic bumper LEDs (they provide a special bracket for the halogens, and you can also purchase a separate bracket for the steel bumper LEDs).

I'm eagerly waiting on my Signature Mid-Width.

 

[WranglerAz]

I'm eagerly waiting on my Signature Mid-Width.

Tomorrow, Fed Ex will delivery my LOD rear bumper with tire carrier. I am looking around for a front winch bumper, LOD Signature mid-width is one of my choices. What factors made you choose it?

 

[dudemind]

Tomorrow, Fed Ex will delivery my LOD rear bumper with tire carrier. I am looking around for a front winch bumper, LOD Signature mid-width is one of my choices. What factors made you choose it?

It seemed to be the right combination of a few things that I was looking for...

- Looks like a "normal" bumper. Never been a huge fan of stubbies unless they're on very built-up Jeeps, which mine will never be.

- Still would look appropriate if/when I change to short fenders. I was looking at full-widths before this but decided they would look odd with fender mods.

- It isn't trying too hard. Too many of these bumpers look far too aggressive and ridiculous. I just want something that looks better than stock and doesn't desperately cry out for attention.

- Judging by their installation instructions, it seemed they were actually aware of the multiple factory fog light options available and had taken all of them into consideration for their bumpers. Same couldn't be said of many other companies, including my previous favorite Warn. Tried talking to Warn a few times regarding their Elite full-width but got nothing but snobbish responses from them, all of which more or less amounted to, "No, our bumpers are fine, fuck off.". After looking at some of the installs here, and the how cheaply-rigged up the fog lights were mounted, I decided I needed to look elsewhere.

- Seems to be one of the less popular options. Maybe it's because of the lead time on orders? I was at an Off-Road Expo last weekend (my first time at one) and didn't see a single LOD bumper. I actually like the less popular products, so I'm not just doing the same immediately-identifiable mods as everybody else. This was actually the same reason I made a last-minute decision to cancel a yet-to-be-shipped order on Method Roosts and basically never consider Method/Icon/Fuel/KMC wheels (together, they were on maybe 80% of the vehicles on display; same wheels over and over and over).

- I prefer the look of the Signature over the Destroyer. Might be the way the latter tapers up smoothly at the ends and has the fog lights centered like the JK. I prefer the wider-set lights and the more squared-off lines of the Signature.

- I'm still on the fence on whether I want a winch or not. I have this cheap junk Barricade bumper that I can't wait to take off the rig, and that's already produced noticeable sag up front; I think the LOD weighs in around the same so I'd probably have the same problem. Buuuut, if I do end up throwing a winch on there, I'd definitely want it to be recessed.

The one thing I don't like so much about the LOD Signature bumper is the skid plate. Looks a bit too utilitarian, like something I'd rig up at home. But as long as it does the job, I'm happy.

Another series I saw recently and really liked were the MetalCloak "frame-built" bumpers. Only problem is that I love the look of a bull bar and theirs looked odd and out of place. Still would have been my second choice though, at least based one everything available right now.

 

[johnnymiz]

So I have been looking for a stubby bumper that utilizes the factory halogen fog lights and doesn't have a gaping hole in the top for a winch. Don't want/need a winch. Are there any options?

http://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90200.htm|

http://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90202.htm

 

[WranglerAz]

It seemed to be the right combination of a few things that I was looking for..

Thanks for the detailed response, I really appreciate it, most of it matches what my opinion is too. After I look at the quality of the rear bumper/tire carrier which arrives today, I will order the front. I found I can get a 8.03% forum discount as well, so price is nice.

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