Stubby bumper for a daily driver - cons?

[zouch]

@gus2k

Cons?
a) we're in California, and drivers are stupid.
first place i got tapped was right on the corner of my stock bumper; had i not had the full-width bumper, that contact would have been somewhere i care more about.

b) we're in California, and there are laws about things like that.
pretty sure if you check here you'll find the CVC says bumpers are supposed to be "track width"; that means they have to extend to the center of the tire.
people are welcome to argue about whether or not there's likely to be a ticket issued for non-compliance, but just be aware that it's a 'thing'.

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[kakwvu]

As others have stated, no major concerns other than a little hit on aerodynamics and your wheel being more exposed to critters or people from Ohio. Local law (and enforcement) varies.

OEM steel bumper is probably the easiest to work with for most since it’s expandable for inspection and allows for top mounted lights and fog lights, as well as a winch. Really nice setup.

Bumper here is the Barnes4WD Pritchett Canyon.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

@gus2k
people are welcome to argue about whether or not there's likely to be a ticket issued for non-compliance, but just be aware that it's a 'thing'.

Not an argument but a comment, in the 13 years I have lived in CA with multiple Jeeps and multiple Jeep clubs, I haven't heard of anyone in the Jeep community that has had an issue with getting a ticket for their stubby bumper. There might be a law about it but there is probably also laws related to almost every modification a person does to their vehicle, even down to decals on the rear window. In the end law enforcement and the Jeep community have a pretty good relationship and mutual respect for each other. I even break Jeep wave tradition and wave at passing officers. Don't be reckless in your driving and the Po Po will more than likely leave you alone. If you get pulled over for speeding and give them attitude, prepare for them to write you up for the little things as well.

As far as safety, my Jeep in stubby mode was hit from behind by a driver going 50-60 mph and was pushed through the back of a Mustang. The Mustang was destroyed and the only damage to the front of my Jeep was the plastic license plate holder, some scratches on the bumper paint, and one fender blinker lens popped out.

 

[zouch]

if you're going to put that much verbiage behind a contradiction to both of the points someone shared, it's an argument. ?

all of our experiences are different; just because you haven't seen something happen doesn't mean it doesn't.
as for selective enforcement, i've had our Mercedes ticketed for not having a front license plate, and it it had nothing to do with our driving; it was parked. twice.
i've spent enough time working and playing around LEOs to know they're as alike as most other humans; different things set them off, and they're likely to have different reactions to them.

as for your crash, your pics make it evident that it wasn't offset or at an angle, so that's not really relevant to any discussion regarding corner protection.
i'm glad you didn't suffer any further damage, but having the ends on the bumper would have spread out your contact area and might have helped prevent you from being pushed so far into the back of the 'Stang, and saved you even more.
my contact wasn't so simple; guy took a turn too tight and put the side of his vehicle directly onto the front corner. had i not had a full-width bumper, the contact would have been on the tire.

Not an argument but a comment, in the 13 years I have lived in CA with multiple Jeeps and multiple Jeep clubs, I haven't heard of anyone in the Jeep community that has had an issue with getting a ticket for their stubby bumper. There might be a law about it but there is probably also laws related to almost every modification a person does to their vehicle, even down to decals on the rear window. In the end law enforcement and the Jeep community have a pretty good relationship and mutual respect for each other. I even break Jeep wave tradition and wave at passing officers. Don't be reckless in your driving and the Po Po will more than likely leave you alone. If you get pulled over for speeding and give them attitude, prepare for them to write you up for the little things as well.

As far as safety, my Jeep in stubby mode was hit from behind by a driver going 50-60 mph and was pushed through the back of a Mustang. The Mustang was destroyed and the only damage to the front of my Jeep was the plastic license plate holder, some scratches on the bumper paint, and one fender blinker lens popped out.

 

[TKL223/3]

Stubby all the way

 

[Industrialwrench]

I recommend you stay away from the OEM steel. It’s not that well thought out. 2 additional expensive components needed to mount a winch. (Plate and adapter). Massive plastic pieces that cover spacer “pucks”. These things are the first thing to hit when off-road and they are cheaply made. Solid steel would have been so much better. I only ordered it with the oem steel because I’d ordered a mopar steel bumper for my TJ and it was amazing. It looks nice but the steel bumper package was a major disappointment.

 

[ChuckQue]

Stubby all the way

Which bumper is this? Me likey…

 

[TKL223/3]

Which bumper is this? Me likey…

Evo 1/4 pounder bumper

 

[roaniecowpony]

My priorities for a front bumper were: lightweight, winch compatible, and flat towbar compatible.

I ended up with a full width RockHard Patriot aluminum bumper, added some frame horn braces, and fabricated my own front towbar attach plates to attach thru the frame horn flanges.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Massive plastic pieces that cover spacer “pucks”. These things are the first thing to hit when off-road and they are cheaply made. Solid steel would have been so much better.

I'm pretty sure those are for the 5 MPH crash test. They probably wouldn't comply if they were solid steel.

 

[five9dak]

I rear ended a civic in my TJ with OEM full width steel bumper.

We were in a right turn lane chute. She went, and I pulled forward to check oncoming traffic. But she got spooked by a car in the far lane and stopped in the ramp after I had turned my head. I drove into her with the clutch fully connected and didn't dip the clutch until after I realized I had hit her.

It bent the bumper beam, and nothing else. I pulled it back straight. Zero repair cost.

If I had a stubby it would have been into the fender / flare and putting load on the axle/suspension.
Shit happens, a stubby could very well make it more expensive.

 

[1Evil55]

I'd hope crash technology of Jeeps have improved since the TJ.

 

[AnnDee4444]

I'd hope crash technology of Jeeps have improved since the TJ.

 

[1Evil55]

Those video's make it look like the tech has worsened.

 

[Industrialwrench]

I'm pretty sure those are for the 5 MPH crash test. They probably wouldn't comply if they were solid steel.

Whatever they’re for, they suck. And the aftermarket doesn’t use them.

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