Mopar vs LOD Front Bumper

[ironbullfrog]

Hello fellow jeepers

I just acquired a rear LOD full width bumper (with basket, tire swing and rear lights) for my 21 Jeep Rubi Unlimited. I am debating a new front bumper now, as I have the plastic one. I was debating the mopar 3piece steel bumper or the LOD signature series mid width bumper.

Love the look of the LOD but also live the modular ability of mopar. IDK if the mopar front bumper will match the LOD rear bumper well enough. I think the mopar might be slightly safer due to the wider coverage and have a better crush zone for an accident (though this could be debatable if ita safer because of this). Mopar should be lighter but the internet says the mopar is ~70lbs and the LOD is 72lbs. Doesnt seem right but IDK.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I attached photos for my ideal look. This is my DD (family hauler of two daughters, wife and golden retriever) and weekend/summer warrior. I can get the mopar bumper for $500 but excludes winch plate, skid plate and grill guard.

Cheers!

Sponsored

 

[Aonar]

From your comments, it sounds like weight and protection are 2 key factors for you. I am not sure if they go hand in hand. YES, I could be wrong.

I like the Mopar modular for the reason that I can make it a shorty. I got it as a feature on the JP. Not necessarily the best for coverage BUT I like the look AND it lets me get the tires onto a surface which the full coverage bumper might not.

Since you will be paying for a new front (unless you get a sweet deal) I would say pic the LOOK that you think is flattering! Then weight the pros and cons between protection, usability, weight and looks.

These are all just different shots of my front Mopar with ends removed.
GL on your search for the perfect bumper

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I have personal experience of a Mopar steel bumper being extremely tough in a collision.

My Jeep hit a Mustang hard enough to do this:

after separating the vehicles, the only damage to the front of the Jeep was the plastic license plate holder and scratches on the bumper:

 

[ironbullfrog]

I have a personal experience of a Mopar steel bumper being extremely tough in a collision.


My Jeep hit a Mustang hard enough to do this:

after separating the vehicles, the only damage to the front of the Jeep was the plastic license plate holder and scratches on the bumper:

That is insanely impressive! I seen only one other accident photo. Stronger than it looks!

 

[ironbullfrog]

From your comments, it sounds like weight and protection are 2 key factors for you. I am not sure if they go hand in hand. YES, I could be wrong.

I like the Mopar modular for the reason that I can make it a shorty. I got it as a feature on the JP. Not necessarily the best for coverage BUT I like the look AND it lets me get the tires onto a surface which the full coverage bumper might not.

Since you will be paying for a new front (unless you get a sweet deal) I would say pic the LOOK that you think is flattering! Then weight the pros and cons between protection, usability, weight and looks.

These are all just different shots of my front Mopar with ends removed.
GL on your search for the perfect bumper

Great looking rig! I love the look of both but they are just different flavors of the same fruit (pink lady apple vs fuji apple haha)

 

[kah.mun.rah]

That is insanely impressive! I seen only one other accident photo. Stronger than it looks!

That is an example of another reason why I don't keep the endcaps on. When hit can actually be a moment arm sending the force back to bend the frame.

 

[Aonar]

Great looking rig! I love the look of both but they are just different flavors of the same fruit (pink lady apple vs fuji apple haha)

THX!
Now, which flavor are you

 

[ironbullfrog]

That is an example of another reason why I don't keep the endcaps on. When hit can actually be a moment arm sending the force back to bend the frame.

Wouldn't the end caps protect the rest of the jeep, and the bumper will just be affected?

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Wouldn't the end caps protect the rest of the jeep, and the bumper will just be affected?

They would help protect the tire but I would rather replace a tire, wheel, or even axle, than have my Jeep totaled because of a bent frame. The axle is connected to the frame near the tow hooks. Taking a hit at a cantilevered end of a full-length steel bumper puts a bending moment reaction into the frame equal to the distance between the frame and the end of the bumper times the force at the end of the bumper.

In my picture my bumper and frame were protected because there was not a cantilevered portion to my stubby bumper that took a hit. In the picture of the blue jeep, the bumper (and possibly frame) are twisted because there was a force applied to the cantilevered portion of the bumper.

There could be an argument made that without the extended bumper, something could hit the tire and push it under the Jeep causing it to flip (similar to the crash test). To that I can't disagree and then go back to running a stubby simply because it looks better.....haha.

 

[salt_crawler]

I was going to go mopar front bumper but I recently changed my mind. There's just better options for the money that's going to last longer. At the end of the day it's still an overpriced thin piece of metal. Really this decision is based on what you're going to do with your rig. More offroad or more looks on road. You still need a winch plate and the skid plate to complete the full mopar look. A lot of companies are winch ready and you just need the skid if you want. The only benefit to the mopar is the fog lights. A lot of companies don't have fog light holes. But if you want a cheap stubby, I'd look into the EVO quarter pound. And you can add stinger or bull bar. Personally, if I had unlimited cash, I think the savvy offroad bumpers look the best.

 

[ironbullfrog]

Does anyone know the weight of the LOD signature series mid width bumper? Some sources say its about 72 lbs. This is close to the mopar weight of 70 lbs, correct? I hear some people say the LOD bumper is extremely heavy though.

 

[Buzz11]

Here's a pix or two of the LOD mid-width bumper. Love it. Thankfully I haven't had to use it, but sure seems solid.

I can't say that I have weighed it, but internet searches comes up with the same numbers the OP did. Around 70-75 lbs for LOD & Stock

 

[walleyecrazy]

I’m partial to the LOD bumpers, and if paying for a new one that would be my choice. The weight difference will be negligible. I like the added accessories you can get for the LOD, and how they keep your winch low and between the frame rails. I have their signature series stubby, and I added their skid underneath and their license plate bracket because my wonderful state requires a front plate. I like how the plate holder keeps the plate low and doesn’t destroy the look of the bumper. The build quality on these bumpers is also really damn good.

 

[sevd]

I went with the mid-width LOD and I really like it. I chose it because I tow my Jeep behind my motorhome sometimes and LOD was the ONLY manufacturer I could find that would actually say it was ok to tow by the D rings on their bumpers. They are pretty beefy.

 

[Reactor111]

LOD MID WIDTH. BLACK OPS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. END CAPS COME OFF. BUT NOT AS EASY AS THE OEM BUMPER.

Sponsored