Stock bumpers

[RLC2020]

My wife's sport JLU has a Sahara bumper that the previous owner installed. Recently, she was rear ended and it cracked the back bumper and shifted it slightly, the front bumper already has a chunk out of it as well so I need to replace both now. My question is this, I found deals online for 2 sets of bumpers, 1 is the stock sport bumpers and 1 is for a set of Rubicon bumpers. Since I installed Sahara wheels and plan to do the silver grill inserts to complete the up-level look, can I swap the silver Sahara/Rubicon trim around the fog lights onto the sport bumper if I buy that set instead of buying the rubicon set? The rubicon has body color trim on the bumper, can that be swapped with the Sahara silver trim that we have on her current bumper? Also, is there a difference in the plastic Rubicon bumper vs the Sahara bumper other than the red tow hooks?

I also found a rubicon bumper set and suspension set that can be had for $800, is that a worthwhile swap? Wife wants to keep the jeep stock, but I can't help myself. If the rubicon suspension would make it more comfortable as a daily driver then I'd do it. thoughts? Here's her jeep as it sits now:

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[aldo98229]

The Rubicon bumpers are identical to those on the Sahara, with the difference that the silver accents on the Sahara’s are charcoal on the Rubicon’s.

Your Sahara wheels has both silver and charcoal accents, so it will match the accents on either bumper; I wouldn’t worry about it.

The Rubicon suspension will add about an inch to your Sahara suspension, but it won’t be more comfortable. In fact, Sahara comes with the softest shocks in the Wrangler lineup. Having said that, the Rubicon suspension will allow you to mount 275/70R18 tires on your Sahara without rubbing. IMO, that’s the ideal tire size for a JL Sahara.

Good luck.

 

[SouthCo]

I thought the Rubicon rear bumper was different from other models due to the Rubicon having different fender flares. The part of the rear bumper that lines up with the rear fender flare is the difference I believe. I'm not certain but you may want to double check that Ross...

edit, here is a thread showing the difference in regards to the rear bumper....

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...question-difference-b-t-sport-and-rubi.24478/

 

[aldo98229]

This is my Sahara when it had 275/70R18 KO2s (33.2x10.5 inches). That tire size matched the Jeep perfectly. If I could it all over again, I’d go back to that setup.

 

[aldo98229]

I thought the Rubicon rear bumper was different from other models due to the Rubicon having different fender flares. The part of the rear bumper that lines up with the rear fender flare is the difference I believe. I'm not certain but you may want to double check that Ross...

I am pretty sure the Sahara and Rubicon fenders are the exact same width: they share the same fender-mounted DRLs.

I should know: I replaced the halogen DRLs on my Sahara with an LED set from a Rubicon.

 

[SouthCo]

I am pretty sure the Sahara and Rubicon fenders are the same width: they share the same fender-mounted DRLs.

I should know: I replaced the halogen DRLs on my Sahara with an LED set from a Rubicon.

Yeah I'm talking rear bumper only. Ross asked about both front and rear. The front are the same. I edited and added a link about the rear bumpers on my first post.

 

[aldo98229]

Yeah I'm talking rear bumper only. Ross asked about both front and rear. The front are the same. I edited and added a link about the rear bumpers on my first post.

We have one data point: MOAB was a Sahara that came from the factory with Rubicon steel bumpers. They fit perfectly.

 

[SouthCo]

We have one data point: MOAB was a Sahara that came from the factory with Rubicon steel bumpers. They fit perfectly.

The bumper end caps look different than a Rubicon flared. The thread I linked earlier mentioned changing out the endcaps... Just saying. Ross can research some more to confirm...

 

[hoag4147]

The bumper end caps look different than a Rubicon flared. The thread I linked earlier mentioned changing out the endcaps... Just saying. Ross can research some more to confirm...

you are correct the rear is plastic and different than Rubicon. The MOAB came with front steel bumper however the rear was plastic (same as Sahara).

 

[The Last Cowboy]

If it's her Jeep and she likes it as is, why do you keep messing with it? Making changes to the grille wont make it look more "up level". A Rubicon suspension wont make it ride better, or even look much different on a 4 door.

If you like messing with things so much, get your own and tear into it! It’s more fun when you can do to it what you want.

 

[RLC2020]

Thanks for the replies so far. To clarify hers is a Sport, but came with a Sahara bumper, it needed tires so I procured a set of brand new Sahara take offs for it and now, other than the body colored fender flares, it looks like a Sahara. I wish it was my vehicle so I could continue to modify it, but It's hers so I should probably just leave it alone. Other than the 1" in height, is there any reason to swap out a sport suspension for the rubicon one? She won't be doing any serious offroading, but her father and brother both have lifted JK Rubicons so at some point in the future she may want to do some trail running with them and that may involve larger tires so I'm thinking the extra inch would be nice to have down the road if there is a benefit to the rubicon shocks as well then that's a bonus.

The response about the rear bumper rules out the Rubicon bumper there. I'm not changing the fenders too.

I drive a Yukon XL and that's the family hauler so no modifying that one unfortunately for me.

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