Help me pick a bumper

[rcadden]

There are literally hundreds of options - you need to consider a few other factors, in addition to those you've already listed:

1. Do you want full width, mid width, stubby, or modular (where you can add/remove the wings to switch between full/stubby)? There are only 2-3 modular options out there, but narrowing down between ful/mid/stubby will help you significantly winnow down your list.
2. Do you want a recessed winch or a non-recessed winch? LOADS of opinions here, but ultimately I think it comes down to your preference.
3. Bull bar, stinger, or nah? Some bumpers will come as a single piece, others support bolt-on bars.
4. Matching rear? May or may not be important to you

Answer those for yourself, get it down to a short-list, and then look for recommendations/reviews within that.

My current choice based on all of that is the Rugged Ridge HD set (front and rear). Seems to be a good balance between cost and quality, and I can add the bull bar to finish it off.

I originally wanted modular because I couldn't decide between full/stubby, but realistically, I'm unlikely to be in an off-roading position where I'm like "Man, if only I had a stubby!" but I do a lot of highway driving, so I want the tires protected. The OEM steel is nice looking, but requires the additional cost of a winch plate, whereas most aftermarket have the winch plate built in. Also the rear steel [reportedly] has a habit of crunching into the body tub pretty easily. Tons of threads on that.

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[justinP_wannaB]

Why is no one ever talking about the Guardian Mid-width bumper?

https://paramount-automotive.com/i-...ladiator-guardian-mid-width-front-bumper.html

https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep-wrangler-guardian-mid-width-front-bumper-81-20301.html

 

[TeeGeeThree]

There are literally hundreds of options - you need to consider a few other factors, in addition to those you've already listed:

1. Do you want full width, mid width, stubby, or modular (where you can add/remove the wings to switch between full/stubby)? There are only 2-3 modular options out there, but narrowing down between ful/mid/stubby will help you significantly winnow down your list.
2. Do you want a recessed winch or a non-recessed winch? LOADS of opinions here, but ultimately I think it comes down to your preference.
3. Bull bar, stinger, or nah? Some bumpers will come as a single piece, others support bolt-on bars.
4. Matching rear? May or may not be important to you

Answer those for yourself, get it down to a short-list, and then look for recommendations/reviews within that.

My current choice based on all of that is the Rugged Ridge HD set (front and rear). Seems to be a good balance between cost and quality, and I can add the bull bar to finish it off.

I originally wanted modular because I couldn't decide between full/stubby, but realistically, I'm unlikely to be in an off-roading position where I'm like "Man, if only I had a stubby!" but I do a lot of highway driving, so I want the tires protected. The OEM steel is nice looking, but requires the additional cost of a winch plate, whereas most aftermarket have the winch plate built in. Also the rear steel [reportedly] has a habit of crunching into the body tub pretty easily. Tons of threads on that.

Can you link to exactly what you purchased? Also, what's the rest of your jeep setup, and how much did it sag?

To answer those questions:

I'm still thinking full width or possibly mid. Not stubby. Don't think I need modular.

I'd prefer recessed but that's not a deal breaker, and so far I've only seen heavy / expensive

I want some kind of bar up front.

Matching rear - not right this minute. I've got the plastic bumper in the back, which I've heard can damage itself easily but doesn't necessarily cause as much body damage...? I may just do that too, but I'm starting by focusing on the front. Honestly I'm close to pulling the trigger on the Barricade Trailforce HD as discussed earlier in the thread, but the price is right on the Rugged Ridge I just looked at too, curious if it's the same one you have...

 

[rcadden]

Can you link to exactly what you purchased? Also, what's the rest of your jeep setup, and how much did it sag?

To answer those questions:

I'm still thinking full width or possibly mid. Not stubby. Don't think I need modular.

I'd prefer recessed but that's not a deal breaker, and so far I've only seen heavy / expensive

I want some kind of bar up front.

Matching rear - not right this minute. I've got the plastic bumper in the back, which I've heard can damage itself easily but doesn't necessarily cause as much body damage...? I may just do that too, but I'm starting by focusing on the front. Honestly I'm close to pulling the trigger on the Barricade Trailforce HD as discussed earlier in the thread, but the price is right on the Rugged Ridge I just looked at too, curious if it's the same one you have...

Haven't bought it yet, budget should come available in April.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-wrangler-jl-hd-full-width-front-bumper-1154031.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugg...r-hd-front-bumper-over-rider-bar-1154062.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-wrangler-hd-rear-bumper-1154036.html

It's available on most sites, so when I'm actually ready to buy, I'll look at current offers, etc, but it'll be around $1,200 for the full kit.

The Barricade Extreme HD was my other choice. It seems pretty similar to the TrailForce, just slightly visually different.

 

[TeeGeeThree]

Haven't bought it yet, budget should come available in April.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-wrangler-jl-hd-full-width-front-bumper-1154031.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugg...r-hd-front-bumper-over-rider-bar-1154062.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-jeep-wrangler-hd-rear-bumper-1154036.html

It's available on most sites, so when I'm actually ready to buy, I'll look at current offers, etc, but it'll be around $1,200 for the full kit.

Thanks. Any idea what the weight of those are? I know you haven't installed yet, but have you heard about how easily it all goes on or not? Did you consider the Trailforce I'm looking at?

 

[rcadden]

Thanks. Any idea what the weight of those are? I know you haven't installed yet, but have you heard about how easily it all goes on or not? Did you consider the Trailforce I'm looking at?

Added a note above about the Barricade.

The Rugged Ridge looks like the front is ~130lbs and the rear is 54lbs, based on the customer questions on ExtremeTerrain. I'm guessing the bar is ~10-15lbs.

Seems to be a pretty easy installation - no notes on any product listings that I've seen thus far.

I'm really hoping this sags front/rear by ~0.5-1", as that would help me more easily justify replacing my Teraflex spacers with a proper suspension replacement.

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