Alloy vs. Steel bumpers

[Themistocles]

Just want to say regarding weight... I replaced my stock plastic JLU bumper with a Rugged Ridge HD full width steel bumper.

The factory 'plastic' bumper was 33lbs, and the RR weighed exactly 60lbs

Not much of a difference... Just drive with a 1/4 tank less gas to make up the difference

It very much depends on the bumper. I was just involved in another thread regarding Road Armor steel bumpers. Front weight 175lbs, rear with swing arm was 254 lbs. Totally agree the difference between 33 and 60 is minimal. The difference between 33 and 175 is not.

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[Themistocles]

Below is from my build thread.

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A big thank you to @AppleJacks23 for posting front and rear weights from a stock JLURD in his build journal. I should have gone to the scale and done exactly that before I started to make mods.

From A.J's post:

Measured weight of front 2700 lbs
Measured weight of Rear 2340 lbs
Calculated Curb weight (soft top w/half tank of fuel): 5040 lbs (53.5%/46.5% F/R)

Published Curb Weight: 5061 lbs (52%/48% F/R)
Published weight of Front: 2631 Lbs
Published weight of Rear: 2429 Lbs
(Published weights are from Motor Trend)

The difference here between published numbers and as driven numbers is interesting...as it clearly shows more weight on the front.

A.J's JLURD is a soft-top and weighed with about 1/2 a tank of diesel

Diesel weighs about 7 lbs/gallon so add about 70 lbs for full tank (probably)
Soft top weighs about 20 lbs hard top about 150 so add another 130 lbs for hardtop option

So a hardtop JLURD with a full fuel tank, as driven, weighs about 5240 stock.

If we assume a 40 / 60 split Front / Rear of extra fuel and hardtop weight that would mean 2780 lbs on the front and 2460 lbs on the rear for a stock hardtop JLURD with a full fuel tank.

GVWR - 6100lbs
GAWR Front - 3100lbs (3100 - 2780 = 320lbs below GAWR)
GAWR Rear - 3100lbs (3100 - 2460 = 640lbs below GAWR)

Now a little math to start to think about what weight will be on trail -

OEM Wheel & Tire: 75lbs (slightly different based on which tire you get but 75 is a good average)
Total OEM weight in Tires and Wheels: 375lbs
Aftermarket Wheel & Tire: 100lbs (35") / 110 lbs (37")
Average Aftermarket 35" Wheel & Tire weight: 500lbs (200lbs Frnt / 300 lbs rear)
Weight Gain: 50lbs Front / 75lbs Rear

OEM Front bumper with tow hooks and fogs: 35lbs
OEM Rear Bumper: 15lbs
Total OEM Bumper weight: 50lbs
Average Weight Aftermarket Steel Bumpers: 160lbs (70 front / 90 rear)
Weight Gain: 35lbs Front / 75lbs Rear

OEM Rock Rails (JLUR): about 50lbs
Average Aftermarket Rock Rails: Avg 100lbs (Split 50/50)
Weight Gain: 25lbs Front / 25lbs Rear

Average U.S. male weight 195lbs
Average U.S. female weight 165lbs
Average Passenger Weight: 360lbs (split about 50/50 front - rear)
Weight Gain: 180lbs Front / 180lbs Rear

Winch OEM: 0 Lbs
Winch Aftermarket: 80lbs (with synthetic line)
Weight gain: 80lbs Front

Basic set-up with passenger as driven:
Front plus 345lbs + OEM 2780 = 3125lbs (OVER GAWR by 25lbs)
Rear plus 355lbs + OEM 2460 = 2815lbs (285lbs from GAWR)

Total very basic "as driven" setup = 5940lbs (160 lbs less than GVWR)

Now add a cooler, and a kid or two, and a tool box, and some recovery gear, and a tent, and air compressor and now you are 100 - 200lbs over GVWR (6200 - 6300lbs).

 

[McGilli]

It very much depends on the bumper. I was just involved in another thread regarding Road Armor steel bumpers. Front weight 175lbs, rear with swing arm was 254 lbs. The difference between 33 and 175 is not.

Wow - no doubt there...

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