Help deciding on front bumper upgrade

[Ran4]

With the options for aftermarket front bumpers being nearly overwhelming, I think I've narrowed down what I'm looking for, but I'd also like to hear some other opinions. Here's my criteria.

1. Under $600
2. Stubby
3. Option for winch, but might never add
4. I can take or leave the 'hoop'/winch guard

I like the Rugged Ridge Spartacus stubby, but will I regret not having the option to hang D-rings? This model seems to have the best 'no winch' look.

I like the Rugged Ridge Arcus, but I would need to fab something to cover the winch void and fairlead opening (not a big deal as I'm handy at that kind of stuff).

I've also been looking at the RedRock Stubby as well as their 'Crawler' model.

Yet another that I've been eye-balling is the Fab Four Stubby, but if I ever did want to add a winch, it would be sitting up pretty high.

I know this is a very personal decision, and everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but I'd love to hear some opinions.

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[Ryparks]

With the options for aftermarket front bumpers being nearly overwhelming, I think I've narrowed down what I'm looking for, but I'd also like to hear some other opinions. Here's my criteria.

1. Under $600
2. Stubby
3. Option for winch, but might never add
4. I can take or leave the 'hoop'/winch guard

I like the Rugged Ridge Spartacus stubby, but will I regret not having the option to hang D-rings? This model seems to have the best 'no winch' look.

I like the Rugged Ridge Arcus, but I would need to fab something to cover the winch void and fairlead opening (not a big deal as I'm handy at that kind of stuff).

I've also been looking at the RedRock Stubby as well as their 'Crawler' model.

Yet another that I've been eye-balling is the Fab Four Stubby, but if I ever did want to add a winch, it would be sitting up pretty high.

I know this is a very personal decision, and everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but I'd love to hear some opinions.

Following- just wanna hear what you end up doing. I’m in a similar situation- I like the stubby clean look, want tow hooks, winch and d ring opportunity and don’t have interest in buying another skid plate. Prices on all those are right. I want to look beyond the mopar rubi.

 

[Pipes]

With the options for aftermarket front bumpers being nearly overwhelming, I think I've narrowed down what I'm looking for, but I'd also like to hear some other opinions. Here's my criteria.

1. Under $600
2. Stubby
3. Option for winch, but might never add
4. I can take or leave the 'hoop'/winch guard

I like the Rugged Ridge Spartacus stubby, but will I regret not having the option to hang D-rings? This model seems to have the best 'no winch' look.

I like the Rugged Ridge Arcus, but I would need to fab something to cover the winch void and fairlead opening (not a big deal as I'm handy at that kind of stuff).

I've also been looking at the RedRock Stubby as well as their 'Crawler' model.

Yet another that I've been eye-balling is the Fab Four Stubby, but if I ever did want to add a winch, it would be sitting up pretty high.

I know this is a very personal decision, and everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but I'd love to hear some opinions.

Happy with my Rugged Ridge Venator.

 

[Ran4]

Following- just wanna hear what you end up doing. I’m in a similar situation- I like the stubby clean look, want tow hooks, winch and d ring opportunity and don’t have interest in buying another skid plate. Prices on all those are right. I want to look beyond the mopar rubi.

Ryan...I pulled the trigger yesterday on the Rugged Ridge Arcus front bumper. Its was nearly a toss up for me between that one and the RR Spartacus Stubby. I like the looks of the Arcus better, but I like the 'winch delete' feature of the Spartacus. In other words, the Spartacus offers an option without the winch plate that comes with a top cover and 'plug' for the fairlead opening to finish off the aesthetics of the bumper if you decide to go without a winch. What finally tipped me towards the Arcus is that it already comes with the winch plate (those aren't cheap), and I believe that I'll be able to fabricate some sort of covers for the fairlead and top winch opening. Oh, I suppose that I'll eventually end up installing a winch, but I'm afraid that it will be mostly for looks. I seriously doubt that I would use a winch much, if at all. I enjoy off-roading, but I don't go alone.

@Pipes, I took a look at the RR Venator, but its price turned me away. Its a beautiful bumper, that's for sure. Personally, I'm not a fan of the wings, and rather prefer the stubby look, but that's just me. Also, I'd prefer it to be all black and not the two-tone look. On your silver Jeep the colors are perfect. But on my white Sahara, I'm wanting to stay with a black and white theme (another forum member referred to it as the 'Panda' look..).

The bumper should arrive early next week. I'll post pictures here after I get it installed. I'm retired, and look forward to projects like this, so I might 'milk' it a little..

 

[GtX]

I got the Rugged Ridge HD Stubby sitting in the garage waiting for the JLURD to arrive. Got it for under 400. Here it is in saw horses patiently waiting.

The Lightforce have removable lenses that were blocked by the hooks. So I moved them out. May have to relo depending on the look once this gets mounted.

 

[Rudolph Hart]

I noticed you can get the Smittybilt XRC GEN2 bumper now for less than $600. I think that’s a great deal. It’s winch ready so no need for a separate winch mounting plate and it mounts the winch low down in line with the ends of the frame. It also offers more low down protection than most of the others and has brackets for mounting extra lights, should you want them.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/smittybilt/xrc-gen-ii-max-front-bumper-jeep-wrangler-jl

 

[Ran4]

I got the Rugged Ridge HD Stubby sitting in the garage waiting for the JLURD to arrive. Got it for under 400. Here it is in saw horses patiently waiting.

The Lightforce have removable lenses that were blocked by the hooks. So I moved them out. May have to relo depending on the look once this gets mounted.

I looked at that bumper too, and almost bought it.

 

[Ran4]

I noticed you can get the Smittybilt XRC GEN2 bumper now for less than $600. I think that’s a great deal. It’s winch ready so no need for a separate winch mounting plate and it mounts the winch low down in line with the ends of the frame. It also offers more low down protection than most of the others and has brackets for mounting extra lights, should you want them.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/smittybilt/xrc-gen-ii-max-front-bumper-jeep-wrangler-jl

That's a great looking set up. I looked at that bumper in person at a local 4WP store. Very beefy. Basically, my only pause on that unit was it's weight. The sales guy at the store told me the package weight is 130#. Add the winch, and there's a significant amount of added weight. Not a big deal depending one one's perspective, but that's what backed me off from the XRC.

 

[Rudolph Hart]

That's a great looking set up. I looked at that bumper in person at a local 4WP store. Very beefy. Basically, my only pause on that unit was it's weight. The sales guy at the store told me the package weight is 130#. Add the winch, and there's a significant amount of added weight. Not a big deal depending one one's perspective, but that's what backed me off from the XRC.

Yes it is a little on the heavy side and I added a heavyish winch (Zeon 10s platinum) but only lost 1/2 inch in height. Same at the back with the XRC rear bumper. They’re both solid products, I’m very happy with them. I’d rather not think about what they cost me in the U.K. lol.

 

[Ran4]

I finished doing my DIY 'Winch Delete' mod on the Rugged Ridge Arcus front bumper. I wanted to hide the fairlead opening as well as the big void in the top where a winch would go. I might eventually install a winch, but this set-up will work for me for the time being.

The top plate is a piece of 1/8" thick ABS plastic. I didn't want to drill holes through the powder coating (I suppose it wouldn't have been a big deal, but I avoided it nonetheless), so I came up with a way to use the existing over rider holes to fasten the sides, and spring loaded aluminum straps for the front. 1/4" thick material probably would have worked better, but since this is in an area that 'shouldn't' see too much action, I think it will be okay. ..and it's not like I have a fortune invested.

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