The Aftermarket Bumper List (JL / JLU Wrangler)

[dudemind]

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.

Sweet. I actually ordered through Quadratec (who was willing to match Northridge's price with coupon code). I liked that they had the options properly laid out, whereas on NR's site I had to look up the actual LOD product numbers to make sure I was choosing the right option and couldn't find the matching skid. Comes out to a bit cheaper than ordering from LOD directly, and it still is made and shipped directly by LOD. In fact, I actually did something highly controversial this morning (and a few of my buddies have expressed much disgust in my choice)...

After deliberating for a few days, I ended up reaching out to LOD and asking if they could custom-make my Signature entirely without the winch cut-outs. They agreed, with the understanding that my lead time would be set back quite a bit (~4 weeks) and my existing order would go to somebody else with the same specs. Meaning no "gaping hole" on top and no fairlead exit hole up front. Mind you, I do a bit of off-roading, and frequently alone, so I'm well aware that this isn't a wise move on my part. But, in the decade or so years I've been driving off-road (in my previous Range Rover and now the JL), I have never needed to be winched. The couple times winches were required, it was not my vehicle, more than one winch was readily available on other cars, and the drivers needing the winch had bigger balls than I do and got stuck on obstacles I wouldn't attempt (nor necessarily find excitement in attempting)... So I guess that seals the deal with regards to whether or not I'm ever getting a winch!! And of course I bet I'll get stuck the very next time I'm out now... At least my bumper will look very sleek though!

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[WranglerAz]

Sweet. I actually ordered through Quadratec (who was willing to match Northridge's price with coupon code).After deliberating for a few days, I ended up reaching out to LOD and asking if they could custom-make my Signature entirely without the winch cut-outs. They agreed, with the understanding that my lead time would be set back quite a bit (~4 weeks) and my existing order would go to somebody else with the same specs. Meaning no "gaping hole" on top and no fairlead exit hole up front.

One of the joy's of owning a Jeep is customizing it to fit your style, preferences, and needs. Since you thought this out, and it's not a whim decision, it reads like you have made a good choice for you. I find Jeep choices do change over time, and if you ever get stuck out there alone, you may have an interesting conversation with yourself...lol. When you talked with LOD, did you talk to Aury? I found her very helpful when I was choosing amongst all the rear bumper configurations.

 

[dudemind]

One of the joy's of owning a Jeep is customizing it to fit your style, preferences, and needs. Since you thought this out, and it's not a whim decision, it reads like you have made a good choice for you. I find Jeep choices do change over time, and if you ever get stuck out there alone, you may have an interesting conversation with yourself...lol. When you talked with LOD, did you talk to Aury? I found her very helpful when I was choosing amongst all the rear bumper configurations.

If (and when) I'm stuck out there alone, I'll be muttering to myself, "Ugh, you should've listened to everybody about that winch, you stupid boy. You're so stupid. So stupid and weak. No wonder mom never loved you, you stupid boy..."

I talked to Chris. He was super helpful and more than willing to oblige. The tone of voice alone was worlds apart from any of my conversations with Warn. Perhaps I'm placing undue emphasis on the PR component of my decision-making process, but that means a lot to me.

 

[butcho]

Rock Hard 4x4 full width aluminum

Wow that looks great! Is it really $1300?

 

[rallydefault]

So the aluminum stuff is lighter and won't rust, but it will it just crumple in a car-to-car collision? What about hitting something off road like a tree or clipping a rock? I love the idea of no rust and and not putting another 100 pounds on my front end, but not the idea of sheering off or really malforming the edge of the bumper when I scrape a rock.

 

[johnnymiz]

Wow that looks great! Is it really $1300?

yes, it really is $1300. it's aluminum. steel would be much cheaper.
but it is very well made, fit absolutely perfect with no modifications.
very thick, solid aluminum plate, perfect welds, and much more stout than the plastic one.
keep in mind, the cheaper ones are thin aluminum for show backed by a steel bumper inside that does the work.
galvanic reaction between 2 dissimilar metals could cause premature corrosoin.

 

[johnnymiz]

So the aluminum stuff is lighter and won't rust, but it will it just crumple in a car-to-car collision? What about hitting something off road like a tree or clipping a rock? I love the idea of no rust and and not putting another 100 pounds on my front end, but not the idea of sheering off or really malforming the edge of the bumper when I scrape a rock.

my rock hard aluminum bumper is WAY more solid than the plastic bumper it replaced. very thick aluminum plate. i would put it roughly half way between the stock plastic bumper and an aftermarket steel bumper just because aluminum has less strength than steel.
if i was going to grind on rocks constantly, i might think about steel. but im not, so it is perfect for me.
looks great, will protect me and my family far better than stock, and the weight of the bumper AND the winch are less than just a steel bumper alone.

 

[rallydefault]

my rock hard aluminum bumper is WAY more solid than the plastic bumper it replaced. very thick aluminum plate. i would put it roughly half way between the stock plastic bumper and an aftermarket steel bumper just because aluminum has less strength than steel.
if i was going to grind on rocks constantly, i might think about steel. but im not, so it is perfect for me.
looks great, will protect me and my family far better than stock, and the weight of the bumper AND the winch are less than just a steel bumper alone.

Nice, thanks for the feedback. Like I said, I REALLY like the idea of no rust and a much lighter weight - I hate when even high quality products start to flake their powder coats and then it becomes a game of upkeep. I live in the Northeast, and the weather fluctuations here plus the cold winters are brutal on that stuff no matter how well-made they are.

But the price...gulp... I mean, I am fine with doing about 1,000 for a well-made bumper, but a few hundred above that... I need to save more lol

 

[johnnymiz]

here on long island, they put down the most caustic stuff when it snows. i have an old landcruiser that was once mint but has basically melted away.
the factory steel bumper is $1250.. and i didnt really love it. so i got the stock plastic for free and sold it when i took it off.. then put the best quality aluminum one on. so, at this point im flat on the deal, costwise. if i put a steel/aluminum rear, ill be behind. also, i really wanted it made in america. that cost too

really, the quality is amazing.
too bad youre out in PA. if you were closer you could check it out.

 

[rallydefault]

Yea, it sounds interesting. Well, I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm gonna go for an aluminum one. I'm just gonna wait until after the winter until there are more options on the market and maybe prices go down a tad.

 

[Namib]

Westin Bumpers.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Do any manufacturers make a different version of their front bumpers that sits higher to fit flush (or close to it) with high line Rubicon front fenders?

 

[jeep364]

Rock Hard 4x4 full width aluminum

Looks excellent, do you feel the hoop is high enough to protect the radiator with a deer impact? The AEV (all steel of course) types seem to have a higher hoop.

 

[johnnymiz]

honestly, it probably is marginal at best. if i had to guess, depending on the size deer, the rad will prob get hit.

 

[Cajun]

Westin Bumpers.

Beautiful jeep. I have the westin triple rail and really liked their bumper options. Do you know the weight of the bumpers and did you notice any sag on suspension when installed?

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