Looking for advice on first bumper purchase

[99sahara99]

Hello folks, I'm looking to build out my fist TJ and I was wondering if I could get some advice. I'm looking for an entry set of bumpers to start with and found this "deal" on Amazon. Mind you, this is round one of my life with this TJ and for round two I'm down to pay up and get a made in the USA set. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

I'm drawn to these because I dig the look and dont want to break the bank right away. If these last me a few years I'll be happy to retire them and get something more substantial. I'm prepared to spray these bad boys with a protective coating and where I live only gets a few days of snowfall a year. Is this purchase a mistake in your opinions and if it is, are there any brands that are not crazy expensive that you think I should consider? Thank you for your help, I'm new at this.

 

[JMT]

Hello folks, I'm looking to build out my fist TJ and I was wondering if I could get some advice. I'm looking for an entry set of bumpers to start with and found this "deal" on Amazon. Mind you, this is round one of my life with this TJ and for round two I'm down to pay up and get a made in the USA set. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

I'm drawn to these because I dig the look and dont want to break the bank right away. If these last me a few years I'll be happy to retire them and get something more substantial. I'm prepared to spray these bad boys with a protective coating and where I live only gets a few days of snowfall a year. Is this purchase a mistake in your opinions and if it is, are there any brands that are not crazy expensive that you think I should consider? Thank you for your help, I'm new at this.

That's the most common bumper that exists. I used to have one.

Look into Dirtworx (made in the USA, affordable, and look great)

 

[rasband]

Hello folks, I'm looking to build out my fist TJ and I was wondering if I could get some advice. I'm looking for an entry set of bumpers to start with and found this "deal" on Amazon. Mind you, this is round one of my life with this TJ and for round two I'm down to pay up and get a made in the USA set. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

I'm drawn to these because I dig the look and dont want to break the bank right away. If these last me a few years I'll be happy to retire them and get something more substantial. I'm prepared to spray these bad boys with a protective coating and where I live only gets a few days of snowfall a year. Is this purchase a mistake in your opinions and if it is, are there any brands that are not crazy expensive that you think I should consider? Thank you for your help, I'm new at this.

Yes, it's a mistake. A few wheeling buddies just customized the stock one and it looks better (mind you they wheel hard and still are on a hacked bumper). Dig around the forums for a little and you'll tire of that look.

Save the money to solve problems you actually have

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Www.thedirtworx.com

 

[99sahara99]

That's the most common bumper that exists. I used to have one.

Look into Dirtworx (made in the USA, affordable, and look great)

I will check out dirtworx. Thank you!

 

[99sahara99]

I will check out dirtworx. Thank you!

Also, how did those bumpers treat you?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Also, how did those bumpers treat you?

They're well made bumper made here, I've had his rear bumpers on two TJs. They're beefy and well designed.

This is the best pic I have that shows it.

 

[99sahara99]

They're well made bumper made here, I've had his rear bumpers on two TJs. They're beefy and well designed.

This is the best pic I have that shows it.
View attachment 302908

 

[99sahara99]

That's a wonderful picture, thank you! Just to be clear, these are the dirtworx bumpers you are speaking of, not the ebay ones I posted the link to?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That's a wonderful picture, thank you! Just to be clear, these are the dirtworx bumpers you are speaking of, not the ebay ones I posted the link to?

Yes that's a Dirtworx bumper. It has taken a lot of big hits on the rocks without problem.

 

[Gollywomper]

That's a wonderful picture, thank you! Just to be clear, these are the dirtworx bumpers you are speaking of, not the ebay ones I posted the link to?

The eBay ones are most likely Chinese made. They say “US stock”possibly indicating you won’t have to wait for them to get here from China.

 

[99sahara99]

Yes that's a Dirtworx bumper. It has taken a lot of big hits on the rocks without problem.

I'm on the site now. It seems like the best option this far between cost and quality. I'd be much happier supporting a small business In America than purchasing a bookmark of a bumper on eBay. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the input and will be posting many more questions in the future.

 

[JDM]

Several members here are running the Motobilt stubby front bumper . It’s really nice for a lower priced option . Made in USA also .
https://motobilt.com/collections/jeep-tj-bumpers/products/jeep-yj-tj-stubby-front-bumper-bare-steel

 

[99sahara99]

Www.thedirtworx.com

Hey Jerry, I'm about to pull the trigger on this front bumper by dirtworx. One last question before I do though. It says on the site that it comes bare steel. Does that mean once I receive it I would have to get it powder coated? Are there any other avenues to go down if bare steel means unprotected by rust on arrival to coat it? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting myself into.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes bare steel but there's no need to go for the expensive powder coating process. Just get a can of Rustoleum self-etching primer and a can of satin black. One coat of primer, then one or two coats of satin black. Just make sure you pay attention to the timing instructions on the back of the can for applying second coats. Done too soon after the first 30 minutes second coats will craze and ruin the paint. Easy-peasy, this is how I paint things like this.

 

[RINC]

Hello folks, I'm looking to build out my fist TJ and I was wondering if I could get some advice. I'm looking for an entry set of bumpers to start with and found this "deal" on Amazon. Mind you, this is round one of my life with this TJ and for round two I'm down to pay up and get a made in the USA set. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

I'm drawn to these because I dig the look and dont want to break the bank right away. If these last me a few years I'll be happy to retire them and get something more substantial. I'm prepared to spray these bad boys with a protective coating and where I live only gets a few days of snowfall a year. Is this purchase a mistake in your opinions and if it is, are there any brands that are not crazy expensive that you think I should consider? Thank you for your help, I'm new at this.

Listen to what Jerry tells you, he won't steer you wrong but as a joke, I have a bumper I'll let go for a low price.

 

[JMT]

Hey Jerry, I'm about to pull the trigger on this front bumper by dirtworx. One last question before I do though. It says on the site that it comes bare steel. Does that mean once I receive it I would have to get it powder coated? Are there any other avenues to go down if bare steel means unprotected by rust on arrival to coat it? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting myself into.

A good reason to paint bumpers yourself is it makes them very easy to touch up when/if they get scratched up.

 

[rasband]

Yes bare steel but there's no need to go for the expensive powder coating process. Just get a can of Rustoleum self-etching primer and a can of satin black. One coat of primer, then one or two coats of satin black. Just make sure you pay attention to the timing instructions on the back of the can for applying second coats. Done too soon after the first 30 minutes second coats will craze and ruin the paint. Easy-peasy, this is how I paint things like this.

The only thing to add to this is to clean up the metal before priming. Acetone works well for this, then let it dry (which is usually very quick). You can use whatever solvent you prefer if you have another in mind.

 

[99sahara99]

This is

Yes bare steel but there's no need to go for the expensive powder coating process. Just get a can of Rustoleum self-etching primer and a can of satin black. One coat of primer, then one or two coats of satin black. Just make sure you pay attention to the timing instructions on the back of the can for applying second coats. Done too soon after the first 30 minutes second coats will craze and ruin the paint. Easy-peasy, this is how I paint things like this.

This is all good information, thank you all for your advice.

 

[L J]

Mind you, this is round one of my life with this TJ and for round two I'm down to pay up and get a made in the USA set.

If you don't have the funds for quality bumpers, just chop down the OEM front bumper and take the jugs off of the OEM rear bumper. You don't save money by purchasing the same parts twice.

What's the rest of your TJ look like? (fill out your profile). Can the money be better spent on other areas? One of our favorite pastimes is helping other members spend their money.