Looking for a light rear bumper

[wfo9]

requirements
- As light as possible (does have to be aluminum but would like to know the weight as many don't seem to indicate)
- minimalist
- no tire swing out
- some corner protection but higher clearance than factory (I could give up on that)
- Would like a license plate mount but can weld one on or whatever
- under $800
- Some type of recovery points
- factory hitch needs to stay intact
- clearance for 37" spare tire mounted on tailgate (mopar reinforcement)

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[Terminex]

Lol, i went through almost EXACTLY the same requirements when i swapped bumpers late last year.

i ended up going with the Rugged Ridge HD rear bumper.
Steel bumper, yet only 40 lbs. same weight as the few aluminum options i found, but any of the aluminum were 2 to 3x the price.

it has the spare tire notch, recovery points for shackles, and corner protection.

i also had a requirement for the backup sensors.

the only thing it does not have from your list is the license plate mount. I like & use the smittybilt spare tire license relo kit. Only thing i added was a waterproof qick connect for the plate light so that it is quick & easy to remove the plate.

the other thing i did was install the fishbone quarter panel chip guards.

 

[wfo9]

Lol, i went through almost EXACTLY the same requirements when i swapped bumpers late last year.

i ended up going with the Rugged Ridge HD rear bumper.
Steel bumper, yet only 40 lbs. same weight as the few aluminum options i found, but any of the aluminum were 2 to 3x the price.

it has the spare tire notch, recovery points for shackles, and corner protection.

i also had a requirement for the backup sensors.

the only thing it does not have from your list is the license plate mount. I like & use the smittybilt spare tire license relo kit. Only thing i added was a waterproof qick connect for the plate light so that it is quick & easy to remove the plate.

the other thing i did was install the fishbone quarter panel chip guards.

Thanks.. I was looking at their XOR rear bumper.. Seems to be around 50lbs and looks decent as well and is 3/16ths steel.

 

[T4STE]

I'm thinking about going with this. I pretty much have the same list as you.
https://cavfab.com/collections/jeep...p-wrangler-jl-jlu-ultra-clearance-rear-bumper

 

[wfo9]

I'm thinking about going with this. I pretty much have the same list as you.
https://cavfab.com/collections/jeep...p-wrangler-jl-jlu-ultra-clearance-rear-bumper

That looks pretty good and I like made in USA.

I went ahead and ordered this one Rugged Ridge XOR rear bumper. It appears to be around 50lbs offer good departure and it was ~ $450 shipped. Would like to have seen it in person first but should work fine even though probably not the best quality or likely made in USA but seemed minimalist and seemed to meet my requirements.

 

[rcadden]

Lol, i went through almost EXACTLY the same requirements when i swapped bumpers late last year.

i ended up going with the Rugged Ridge HD rear bumper.
Steel bumper, yet only 40 lbs. same weight as the few aluminum options i found, but any of the aluminum were 2 to 3x the price.

it has the spare tire notch, recovery points for shackles, and corner protection.

i also had a requirement for the backup sensors.

the only thing it does not have from your list is the license plate mount. I like & use the smittybilt spare tire license relo kit. Only thing i added was a waterproof qick connect for the plate light so that it is quick & easy to remove the plate.

the other thing i did was install the fishbone quarter panel chip guards.

Glad to hear this - I'm getting bumpers in April and the Rugged Ridge HD set (front and back) is currently my top selection.

Did you also go with their front one? Any tips/feedback there?

 

[T4STE]

That looks pretty good and I like made in USA.

I went ahead and ordered this one Rugged Ridge XOR rear bumper. It appears to be around 50lbs offer good departure and it was ~ $450 shipped. Would like to have seen it in person first but should work fine even though probably not the best quality or likely made in USA but seemed minimalist and seemed to meet my requirements.

Looks to be the same shape so that’s cool lol. Let us know how it fits and holds up.

 

[Headbarcode]

I'm thinking about going with this. I pretty much have the same list as you.
https://cavfab.com/collections/jeep...p-wrangler-jl-jlu-ultra-clearance-rear-bumper

That's the route I took. I also got their hinged spare reinforcement. Great company and top notch products, from good old Georgia USA ??!

 

[Terminex]

Glad to hear this - I'm getting bumpers in April and the Rugged Ridge HD set (front and back) is currently my top selection.

Did you also go with their front one? Any tips/feedback there?

no, I needed a front bumper that supported flat towing behind my RV.

I went with the Rock Hard 4x4 Patriot Aluminum bumper. (with the LOD frame tie in brackets - these provide a better link between the thin bumper mounting plates & the frame rails for more strength)

 

[wfo9]

That looks pretty good and I like made in USA.

I went ahead and ordered this one Rugged Ridge XOR rear bumper. It appears to be around 50lbs offer good departure and it was ~ $450 shipped. Would like to have seen it in person first but should work fine even though probably not the best quality or likely made in USA but seemed minimalist and seemed to meet my requirements.

I got the XOR rear bumper. have not installed yet but looks decent construction (solid 3/16 steel ) except for clevis mount that are 1" and go thru and attach to the brackets that attach it to the frame. Well built but it's Chinese made.. the only thing I question is the bolts that came with it.. other than that it's solid construction and has a decent finish.

I weighed it a little under 44lbs not including the mounting brackets and hardware. Should put it on in the next week or so.

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