Advice needed for 2 dr Willys

[GATORB8]

Thank you for the super detailed response, I will have to read it carefully when I'm home from the office and properly digest it all.

I am very thankful for this community and everyone's time and insight. This is the kind of stuff I can't imagine a shop taking the time to explain and share.

While you're digesting that, let's talk bumpers.

Want to make sure you know that the Mopar steel front bumper requires the addition of a winch plate in order to mount up a winch. There are several options available, Mopar, Warn, Maximus, etc. The Mopar plate itself is in the $500 range.

There are some other options that are knock offs of the Mopar that you may want to look at. There are Amazon/Ebay steel versions that have integrated winch plates and are still less expensive (there are some mixed reviews on these). Also, XT's house brand MP Concepts has an aluminum version with an integrated steel winch plate.

The MP concepts version lists a 41 lb weight, without the winch plate the Mopar steel bumper is 78 lbs, with the Mopar plate it's 97 lbs.

I don't have personal/quality experience with the options, but just wanted to make sure you knew the options.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/mp-c...front-bumper-j134510-jl.html#customer_q_and_a
https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215121ab.html
https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215182ac.html

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[jptrades]

While you're digesting that, let's talk bumpers.

Want to make sure you know that the Mopar steel front bumper requires the addition of a winch plate in order to mount up a winch. There are several options available, Mopar, Warn, Maximus, etc. The Mopar plate itself is in the $500 range.

There are some other options that are knock offs of the Mopar that you may want to look at. There are Amazon/Ebay steel versions that have integrated winch plates and are still less expensive (there are some mixed reviews on these). Also, XT's house brand MP Concepts has an aluminum version with an integrated steel winch plate.

The MP concepts version lists a 41 lb weight, without the winch plate the Mopar steel bumper is 78 lbs, with the Mopar plate it's 97 lbs.

I don't have personal/quality experience with the options, but just wanted to make sure you knew the options.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/mp-c...front-bumper-j134510-jl.html#customer_q_and_a
https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215121ab.html
https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215182ac.html

Part of my motivation on the Mopar bumpers is with my other vehicles I have always been a fan of the "OEM+" look. This is the major driving force on the bumper choice. While I'm aware that there are probably better value for money, weight, or featured options out there, this trade off is worth it in my eyes.

So re: substitutes that are the same look but aluminum or otherwise a "knock-off" - my concern here is that these products might have dubious testing requirements. Is this a warranted fear? I'm probably OK with the Mopar tax for something duly tested and manufactured. When I get a quote on these, I'm prepared for a fairly offensive price. If it's absolutely insane and I just can't stomach it, I'll probably then shift towards some other option that is compatible with OEM fogs and doesn't look too much different from OEM if possible.

I am aware of the need for a winch plate with the OEM bumper, and there is a Maximus plate for the Mopar bumper that my shop sourced at $309 CAD if I go that route. A flip up license plate mount is another $89.99 lol.. rough.

Definitely have some more food for thought to think on here!

 

[GATORB8]

Part of my motivation on the Mopar bumpers is with my other vehicles I have always been a fan of the "OEM+" look. This is the major driving force on the bumper choice. While I'm aware that there are probably better value for money, weight, or featured options out there, this trade off is worth it in my eyes.

So re: substitutes that are the same look but aluminum or otherwise a "knock-off" - my concern here is that these products might have dubious testing requirements. Is this a warranted fear? I'm probably OK with the Mopar tax for something duly tested and manufactured. When I get a quote on these, I'm prepared for a fairly offensive price. If it's absolutely insane and I just can't stomach it, I'll probably then shift towards some other option that is compatible with OEM fogs and doesn't look too much different from OEM if possible.

I am aware of the need for a winch plate with the OEM bumper, and there is a Maximus plate for the Mopar bumper that my shop sourced at $309 CAD if I go that route. A flip up license plate mount is another $89.99 lol.. rough.

Definitely have some more food for thought to think on here!

Testing is pretty lacking across the board. Not sure anyone but AEV actually does it. I will say, you'll be less concerned when you compare any metal bumper to the inside of the stock one you have installed now.

 

[Killerbell]

OP, here’s what I did from my stock Willys. I added the shocks and springs off a 4xe that had the steel bumper group and added the front and rear steel bumpers. Overall, there was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches added. Not too much but perfect to me. The front currently sits about .25 inches lower. Once I add the winch, which will be soon, I will measure and figure out which spacer is good to level it out. Seems like we have very similar interests.

 

[jptrades]

OP, here’s what I did from my stock Willys. I added the shocks and springs off a 4xe that had the steel bumper group and added the front and rear steel bumpers. Overall, there was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches added. Not too much but perfect to me. The front currently sits about .25 inches lower. Once I add the winch, which will be soon, I will measure and figure out which spacer is good to level it out. Seems like we have very similar interests.

That is a fine lookin Willys - I thought a bit about using takeoffs from a heavier factory build, but my experience so far in Canada has been that it's a little tougher of a time to find them than some of my US compatriots have.

What winch are you looking at?

 

[jptrades]

OP, here’s what I did from my stock Willys. I added the shocks and springs off a 4xe that had the steel bumper group and added the front and rear steel bumpers. Overall, there was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches added. Not too much but perfect to me. The front currently sits about .25 inches lower. Once I add the winch, which will be soon, I will measure and figure out which spacer is good to level it out. Seems like we have very similar interests.

The shop I'm working with said there is a note for the Mopar steel rear bumper that says something about requiring the highline fenders for the fitment to be correct - the steel rear is wider than the plastic perhaps? He hasn't retrofitted a steel rear onto a Willys before so he couldn't say for sure.

What was your experience?

 

[Tethmes]

Just to throw another pic into the mix, here's mine that isn't leveled. It's not a mopar bumper on the front, but it's about the same weight as the mopar steel. My winch brings the total up to 160ish lbs. There is some rake as you can see, but not enough to bother me for now. When I go for a mild lift in a year or two I'll address it, but in the meantime it doesn't jump out at me or anything when I walk up to it. So just wanted to show you what the rake is like so you can see if it will even bother you.

 

[Killerbell]

Just walked out and took a pic for you. Don’t mind how dirty she is. I was out in the desert. Fitment is good but not 100% lined up. You can see it in the photo. You really can’t even tell unless you’re at the angle I was for the photo. No trimming at all needed. To install the bumpers, I had to add 4 rivnuts, 2 front 2 rear to have all of the hardware bolted correctly. As for what winch I’m going with, I have no clue.

 

[jptrades]

Just walked out and took a pic for you. Don’t mind how dirty she is. I was out in the desert. Fitment is good but not 100% lined up. You can see it in the photo. You really can’t even tell unless you’re at the angle I was for the photo. No trimming at all needed. To install the bumpers, I had to add 4 rivnuts, 2 front 2 rear to have all of the hardware bolted correctly. As for what winch I’m going with, I have no clue.

Thanks a ton for taking the time to snap the pic for me. I see what they mean with it not lining up.. I’ll have to think about it weather or not that would bug me.. hmm

 

[Killerbell]

Honestly, I thought it would bug me but it really doesn’t.

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