Front bumper upgrade question (need lil help, plz)

[Lakersgrl27]

Good morning, All

I am super new to the Jeep world but I absolutely Love it! I got 2021 Rubicon Unlimited with XR package. I really want to upgrade the front bumper but there are so many options that my head spins. Looking for something functional for off-roading and good looking at the same time. I like the look of AEV but it is just so ridiculously expensive. I know that most of you on this forum have been Jeep owner for a while. Could you please recommend a great front bumper? Are there good options that come with the winch? or winch installation is always separate? These might be very basic questions but I am a total newbie. Anyone has experience with ARB bumpers? I read really mixed reviews but that's true for every bumper I looked at so far
Please help?

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[Cajun21]

Here you go- and welcome to the community
Barricade Trail Force HD Front Bumper
this is through Extreme Terrain- Inexpensive and trust me fully functional. Also it's ready for a winch that you can install later. Takes about an hour to install. Hope this helps. Good luck

 

[rkwfxd]

No bumper is going to come with a winch. That will be extra.

Cheap bumpers bend when you hit them on rocks and trees and they rust when you don't.

If the bumper you want is too much money, just save for it.

I went with an LOD on the front because it is 1) a stubby, 2) has a recessed winch mount, 3) has room for my factory LED fogs and 4) is rated to be used as a tow point by LOD.

I went with a RockHard4X4 in the rear because it is 1) aluminum and lighter than steal, 2) moved my tow plugs up from under the jeep and protects them, 3) has a recess for my license plate and 4) has provisions for all of my reverse sensors.

 

[Maverick909]

you can always use the factory bumper. just need to install a winch plate from any manufacture like warn or ace fab etc. this would be a low cost setup and very clean looking install and you can always remove the end caps of the steel bumper. I still think this is the best looking route IMO

 

[rkwfxd]

you can always use the factory bumper. just need to install a winch plate from any manufacture like warn or ace fab etc. this would be a low cost setup and very clean looking install and you can always remove the end caps of the steel bumper. I still think this is the best looking route IMO

I agree. I think the factory steel bumper set up as a stubby is the best looking bumper for our jeeps. However, while the rear steel bumper also looks good, it is complete junk off road and will flex up and bend and dent the tub. But it comes with the factory steel front bumper. Plus, I needed to flat tow my jeep. So I added it all up and by the time I paid extra for factory steel bumpers, then added a winch mount plate, then added front tow set up, then added rear tub protection, it was obvious that I could get stronger, more functional (for me) bumpers for actually a bit less money.

Not sorry with what I did but I still agree with you that the factory steel bumpers look the best.

 

[Jjirish]

Kiddo and I both got the same bumper and winch. Fab four lifestyle bumper and warn 10k winch. We went with a full length bumper (as opposed to a stubby) for more wheel protection in case of an on road collision.
This is her jeep and...
WELCOME! Jeep Girls Rock!

 

[00 Trans Ram]

If you want cheap AND good, check out "open box" items. I got a DV8 Offroad LFS-7 Mid-Width front bumper for $272. It's normally $480. Both end corners were slightly scuffed and had surface rust (like 1 square centimeter on each side). I lightly sanded it and sprayed it with generic, black bedliner from a spraycan. Looks as good as new. Bonus is that it comes with 4 LED fog lights that are hella-bright!

https://www.extremeterrain.com/dv8-...-width-front-bumper-w-led-lights-2018-jl.html

Looks like they have an open-box of this for $335 right now. In fact, lots of open-box options.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/wrangler-open-box-exterior-parts.html/f/?Subcategory=Bumpers

Ultimately, open-box for a bumper is a great option to save money. It's not a performance part, so some wear-and-tear is no big deal. I mean, you're going to scratch it soon anyway, right!

 

[Jazzman65]

I went with the OEM Rubicon stubby on my Sport Altitude, Warn winch plate and Quadratec 10k lbs with synthetic rope and sprung for a Factor 55 FlatLink. Did the installs myself and while not easy (I'm no mechanic), I was successful. Part of the fun of having a Jeep (my first too) is getting to wrench a little!

 

[Maverick909]

I agree. I think the factory steel bumper set up as a stubby is the best looking bumper for our jeeps. However, while the rear steel bumper also looks good, it is complete junk off road and will flex up and bend and dent the tub. But it comes with the factory steel front bumper. Plus, I needed to flat tow my jeep. So I added it all up and by the time I paid extra for factory steel bumpers, then added a winch mount plate, then added front tow set up, then added rear tub protection, it was obvious that I could get stronger, more functional (for me) bumpers for actually a bit less money.

Not sorry with what I did but I still agree with you that the factory steel bumpers look the best.

in your situation i completely understand!. if i was towing my jeep i would go with a nice steel front bumper. I do like the Look of the Icon front bumpers that have the recessed winch setup. was going to get one but my older brother beat me to it LOL. I refuse to have the same bumper when we jeep so often together

 

[rkwfxd]

in your situation i completely understand!. if i was towing my jeep i would go with a nice steel front bumper. I do like the Look of the Icon front bumpers that have the recessed winch setup. was going to get one but my older brother beat me to it LOL. I refuse to have the same bumper when we jeep so often together

Steal his. LOL

 

[DHW]

I think the factory steel bumper set up as a stubby is the best looking bumper for our jeeps. However, while the rear steel bumper also looks good, it is complete junk off road and will flex up and bend and dent the tub.

I agree with both of these sentiments. I've been considering a switch to the ADD Stealth Fighter front bumper, but have decided to stick with the Mopar steel front bumper for a few reasons:

1) There is a lot you can do with it. Lots of option for bars, guards, lights, etc.
2) I love being able to remove (and reinstall) the end caps.
3) You can pick one up as a takeoff pretty cheap. I did.
4) Having a skid plate that can be integrated into it.
5) I think it's still one of, if not the best looking steel bumper.
6) The ADD bumper did not retain the OEM fog lights, I don't like the way the winch mounts to it, and the only place to mount aux lights looks terrible. Plus its stupid expensive.
7) When your CEL inevitably comes on, the dealer can't deny warranty work by blaming it on your aftermarket bumper.

The only real downside to me to the Mopar bumper is the steel is thinner than most aftermarkets, so it may not withstand impacts as good.

I also considered the AEV bumper, but aside from its cost, I also don't like that it seems to come in about 15 pieces that have to be installed on the Jeep like some kind of puzzle.

Edit: Here's a pic of mine:

 

[jahysea]

Kyra I think you are going to get an overwhelming number of different opinions, all sound. It's a personal thing like lipstick color, no one size fits all right choice.

I agree with not going cheap because of rust and bending. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is you have a Rubicon model which has a sway bar disconnect below the bumper. Your stock XR bumper has an extension plate attached to it that protects your sway bar disconnect motor. If you change bumpers you should plan a solution that continues to protect the sway bar disconnect housing.

If you want my opinions, Aluminum bumpers are expensive but lighter and they never rust. Winches are expensive, very heavy, and seldom used. If you go offroad with friends a tow strap is used far more often than a winch. You could plan for a future winch but put that investment off until you are ready.

You can sell your stock metal bumper(s) on Craigslist or this forum, people with plastic bumpers like to upgrade to the stock metal ones.

 

[rcadden]

My only issue with the stock steel bumper is the cost - even if you pick it up as a take-off, you need to factor in another ~$300-400 for a solid winch plate, whereas most aftermarket bumpers come with the winch mount included.

I've currently settled on the Rugged Ridge HD front and rear. Has everything I want - full coverage, sunken winch, factory LEDs, and a bull bar option.

My only complaint with the RR rear is that it doesn't have a license plate mount.

The Rugged Ridge full kit (front/rear+bull bar) is ~$1.3K from a number of retailers, give or take tax, etc. and it gets pretty good reviews here on the forum.

My Jeep is a daily driver, but I take it offroading sometimes on the weekends, so I need something with good protection, but I'm not going to be intentionally banging it against rocks.

I'm planning to buy in ~April - if I can get a steel take-off for ~$400, I'd probably go that route. Otherwise I'll stick with my Rugged Ridge pick.

 

[JL MADDOG]

I knew I could not mount a winch on my stock Willys plastic front bumper so I went shopping.

I wanted an integrated LED bar, an option to mount my OEM LED foglights, a winch plate mount and a rope/hawse opening and D-ring attachment points. I did not need provisions to mount a front license plate but that could be easily added if needed.

I found the Rough Country #10596 front bumper. Here is the OEM setup:

Here is the RC #10596:

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