Brand comparisons

[Cali-JeepJL]

Hello,
I’m new to the Jeep community with a 2018 JLUR. So excited as I begin my build and have found this forum to be unbelievably useful. I’m hoping to get some help that I haven’t been able to find so far in any of the threads:

I’ve decided on many of the options for my build, including EVO 3.5” lift, Hutchinson rockmonster headlocks w/Nitto Trail grappler 37” tires. Rockslide Engineering side steps. Now for the bumpers - looking for stubby front and matching rear with tire carrier (and extension for hilift and rotopax if possible)

I have been trying to wrap my head around all the brands who make bumpers to try to understand which ones are the top quality/craftsmanship, which are the cheap and cheerful, the new comers, and so on. I was hoping folks on this forum could help with high level brand reviews - trying to understand the landscape of the TOP brands. I’m trying to understand the best of the best.

If I was able to attend SEMA or one of the meetups or trade shows I’d be able to get a better sense, but I don’t think I Can ever get away from work for that...

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Poison Spyder. Recommended by my local shop and I’ve seen them in person. Seem impressive and quality but I don’t love the Spyder branding everywhere.

Another friend recommended Road Armor, but have never seen them in person. Shop owner told me that their quality isn’t as good as PS. Not sure if I believe that...

WARN : Are they new to Jeep bumpers? Their winches are awesome - wonder about their product. Anyone have experience good or bad?

Addictive Desert Designs: Unsure of quality level, have read some poor reviews.

Metalcloak: on par with PS?

Fab Fours: looks like high quality - “out there” designs may not be for everyone (I’m not loving the style personally)

Others....

Wondering if there’s already a thread that could educate me on the top brands in this way, or if not, would love to hear folks opinions on these.

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[jruss]

The aftermarket can be a vast and daunting trail to navigate.

Evo makes good stuff but the engineering on the suspensions Is a ? For me right now. I am waiting for some of the big players to come to market and waiting for the big players on the market to refine. But let’s move on to bumpers...

Your instincts on Poison Spyder are correct. I personally think that the design is not all there, but I have yet to see a weak (in strength) product they have produced. The ps welds are gorgeous and strong.

I have done multiple repairs on fab fours tire carriers. Warn is tough but both crude and overly complicated to deal with at the same time, road armor is usually tough but basic with the sacrifice of looks and I have only dealt with a handful of add stuff.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cali-JeepJL]

Awesome! Thank you

Looking at the forum summary page of sema is very helpful

 

[mikej]

I would add LOD to your list of quality bumpers. I have their sliders and the quality and precision of manufacture is impressive. On of my key indicators of quality is install instructions. I’m suspicious of any company that doesn’t have installation instructions for their products.

 

[dirtrider72]

Hello,
I’m new to the Jeep community with a 2018 JLUR. So excited as I begin my build and have found this forum to be unbelievably useful. I’m hoping to get some help that I haven’t been able to find so far in any of the threads:

I’ve decided on many of the options for my build, including EVO 3.5” lift, Hutchinson rockmonster headlocks w/Nitto Trail grappler 37” tires. Rockslide Engineering side steps. Now for the bumpers - looking for stubby front and matching rear with tire carrier (and extension for hilift and rotopax if possible)

I have been trying to wrap my head around all the brands who make bumpers to try to understand which ones are the top quality/craftsmanship, which are the cheap and cheerful, the new comers, and so on. I was hoping folks on this forum could help with high level brand reviews - trying to understand the landscape of the TOP brands. I’m trying to understand the best of the best.

If I was able to attend SEMA or one of the meetups or trade shows I’d be able to get a better sense, but I don’t think I Can ever get away from work for that...

—-

Poison Spyder. Recommended by my local shop and I’ve seen them in person. Seem impressive and quality but I don’t love the Spyder branding everywhere.

Another friend recommended Road Armor, but have never seen them in person. Shop owner told me that their quality isn’t as good as PS. Not sure if I believe that...

WARN : Are they new to Jeep bumpers? Their winches are awesome - wonder about their product. Anyone have experience good or bad?

Addictive Desert Designs: Unsure of quality level, have read some poor reviews.

Metalcloak: on par with PS?

Fab Fours: looks like high quality - “out there” designs may not be for everyone (I’m not loving the style personally)

Others....

Wondering if there’s already a thread that could educate me on the top brands in this way, or if not, would love to hear folks opinions on these.

I copied this post from a Facebook Wrangler group I belong to.. hope it helps

Plenty of thoughts here. I went with the Poison Spyder front and rear on my JL. The instructions that came with the bumpers are crap. Go online and download the color instructions if you get a poison spyder bumper. they still aren't great but its easier to see what they are trying to show you. the rear bumper was a total pain to get on. I didn't like how they have the nut plate tab that was used in the process. hindsight being 20/20 i would have used a grinder to smooth out the frame and then used a center punch to mark the spot to drill instead of a felt tip pen. the location of the light within the front and rear prevents you from replacing the lights unless you completely remove the bumper. Poison Spyder fails to mention in their instructions that you will need to get a spare tire spacer kit in order for your factory tire to fit. My rear door would rub and not allow me to close it smoothly without installing a kit. On top of that, you will need a license plate relocation option. i cant remember the company that i went with but i can look it up if you need it. it wasnt cheap. as far as the front bumper goes it was easier to install. but you will most likely want to get the skid plate thats sold separately from the bumper. poison spyder didnt post any pics on their site showing you how it looks without the skid plate but as you can see from the pics the sway bar disconnect and the weird part of the frame that points down is exposed. im going to have to go back and take it all back apart to add the skid plate. my concern is that the sway bar disconnect will get damaged when i go wheelin..lastly the corners of the rear fenders are exposed now and it doesn't look clean.rustys offroad has a kit that you can get to clean this up but you will need to install it prior to putting on the poison spyder bumper. if you have any questions let me know.

 

[Cali-JeepJL]

Thank you! I was driving on the 680 today and saw another Jeep with LOD front and rear. I was stalking him to see the bumpers LOL

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