Looking for advice on first bumper purchase

[SSTJ]

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.

Hi @Jerry Bransford,

Is it ok to leave that rear corner of the body exposed? Compared, for example, to the bumper ahead of you in that pic. (I added circles in the pic below.)

I'm always surprised by how many aftermarket bumpers don't protect that area, so it seems like maybe I'm missing something.

 

[TJim]

Hi @Jerry Bransford,

Is it ok to leave that rear corner of the body exposed? Compared, for example, to the bumper ahead of you in that pic. (I added circles in the pic below.)

I'm always surprised by how many aftermarket bumpers don't protect that area, so it seems like maybe I'm missing something.

View attachment 303710

It looks sexy though! Doesn't it?

 

[lBasket]

It looks sexy though! Doesn't it?

It sure does

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hi @Jerry Bransford,

Is it ok to leave that rear corner of the body exposed? Compared, for example, to the bumper ahead of you in that pic. (I added circles in the pic below.)

I'm always surprised by how many aftermarket bumpers don't protect that area, so it seems like maybe I'm missing something.

That open area is ok by me, it'd be very hard for even a sharp pointed rock to make its way up inside there.

 

[lBasket]

My question is how does an onion sack survive being dragged across rocks like that

 

[L J]

Hey LJ, I have been doing a lot of research over the past 24 hours and think I'm gonna jump on that wait-list for the savvy 1.25 body lift. It seems to be a highly regarded product on this forum.

If you are willing to wait, you can't go wrong with Savvy parts. I've had to wait a few months on two different orders but I knew it going in and have "no ragrets".

After that I would have the greenlight to put on 31" tires correct?

You can run 31s now. I did the body lift and motor mount lift on 30.5" tires because they fit my future build plans and they were easy, inexpensive mods.

Also, if I wanted to add a 1-2" suspension lift down the road is that possible after the fact or is there an order of operations I should follow say body lift- suspension lift- wheels?

The only order of operation for me was cost. I started with the inexpensive mods. The body lift can be done at any time but it's one of the inexpensive mods so most people do it first.

I guess what I'm asking is does the order matter And will I be fine with the savvy body lift and 31's until I decide to level up with the suspension lift?

Yes.

 

[SSTJ]

That open area is ok by me, it'd be very hard for even a sharp pointed rock to make its way up inside there.

Gotcha. Just seemed like a vulnerable portion of the body, but I guess it'd have to be a very steep/pointy rock to cause trouble at that kind of angle.

 

[99sahara99]

If you are willing to wait, you can't go wrong with Savvy parts. I've had to wait a few months on two different orders but I knew it going in and have "no ragrets".

You can run 31s now. I did the body lift and motor mount lift on 30.5" tires because they fit my future build plans and they were easy, inexpensive mods.

The only order of operation for me was cost. I started with the inexpensive mods. The body lift can be done at any time but it's one of the inexpensive mods so most people do it first.

Yes.

 

[99sahara99]

Excellent news! I'll place my order for the body lift while I shop for some 31". Thank you very much gentlemen, I'm happy to be part of the team. I'll post pictures when I level up!

 

[lBasket]

Excellent news! I'll place my order for the body lift while I shop for some 31". Thank you very much gentlemen, I'm happy to be part of the team. I'll post pictures when I level up!

I did have to get spacers to keep my full turn radius without rubbing when I went with 31s... It's pretty likely my OEM springs at 190k we're sagging though.

 

[tworley]

Hi @Jerry Bransford,

Is it ok to leave that rear corner of the body exposed? Compared, for example, to the bumper ahead of you in that pic. (I added circles in the pic below.)

I'm always surprised by how many aftermarket bumpers don't protect that area, so it seems like maybe I'm missing something.

View attachment 303710

@jjvw can share his picture of what happens in that area if left exposed.

 

[jjvw]

Gotcha. Just seemed like a vulnerable portion of the body, but I guess it'd have to be a very steep/pointy rock to cause trouble at that kind of angle.

It isn't that hard to tear up the corners of the tub.

Once the spot welds break, then the tail gate won't shut. At this point the only thing holding the rear of the tub together is the cage.

I fixed it with a bunch of pop rivets.

But the real solution is to get corner armor on there before you damage anything. Look at Jerry's and you will see that the armor bolts the body through to the internal torque box, reenforcing the spot welds.

 

[SSTJ]

It isn't that hard to tear up the corners of the tub.
View attachment 303738

View attachment 303739

Once the spot welds break, then the tail gate won't shut. At this point the only thing holding the rear of the tub together is the cage.

I fixed it with a bunch of pop rivets.
View attachment 303740

But the real solution is to get corner armor on there before you damage anything. Look at Jerry's and you will see that the armor bolts the body through to the internal torque box, reenforcing the spot welds.
View attachment 303744

Nice, thanks for this; really helpful.

@Jerry Bransford, whatever armor you have is subtle enough that I didn't notice it. I don't usually like the way that corner armor looks when it covers up such a large area. Do you mind sharing what you're using in this pic? Something like that might make me feel more comfortable with a bumper that doesn't protect the corners.

Edit: Apologies to the OP for hijacking this thread. But, since these bumpers are being recommended to you, I suppose this is also helpful information in your decision process.

 

[jjvw]

Nice, thanks for this; really helpful.

@Jerry Bransford, whatever armor you have is subtle enough that I didn't notice it. I don't usually like the way that corner armor looks when it covers up such a large area. Do you mind sharing what you're using in this pic? Something like that might make me feel more comfortable with a bumper that doesn't protect the corners.

Edit: Apologies to the OP for hijacking this thread. But, since these bumpers are being recommended to you, I suppose this is also helpful information in your decision process.

Savvy or Genright aluminum corners.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Nice, thanks for this; really helpful.

@Jerry Bransford, whatever armor you have is subtle enough that I didn't notice it. I don't usually like the way that corner armor looks when it covers up such a large area. Do you mind sharing what you're using in this pic? Something like that might make me feel more comfortable with a bumper that doesn't protect the corners.

Edit: Apologies to the OP for hijacking this thread. But, since these bumpers are being recommended to you, I suppose this is also helpful information in your decision process.

I'm using Savvy aluminum corners.

 

[99sahara99]

I'm using Savvy aluminum corners.

Hey Jerry, last last question (for now)

If you are willing to wait, you can't go wrong with Savvy parts. I've had to wait a few months on two different orders but I knew it going in and have "no ragrets".

You can run 31s now. I did the body lift and motor mount lift on 30.5" tires because they fit my future build plans and they were easy, inexpensive mods.

The only order of operation for me was cost. I started with the inexpensive mods. The body lift can be done at any time but it's one of the inexpensive mods so most people do it first.

Yes.

 

[99sahara99]

Hey Jerry, last last question (for now)

What do I access to determine if I will need to purchase the 1" motor mount with the savvy 1.25 body lift? Or do they just go hand in hand with each other?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

What do I access to determine if I will need to purchase the 1" motor mount with the savvy 1.25 body lift? Or do they just go hand in hand with each other?

Installing a 1" MML causes the engine fan to be too high for the fan shroud on the radiator. Some fix that by drilling new mounting bolt holes in the fan shroud and raising the fan shroud 1" to match the new 1" taller fan position. Others install a body lift to raise their fan shroud. You can do either, though a 1" to 1.25" BL also gives the tires a little more clearance.

 

[rasband]

What do I access to determine if I will need to purchase the 1" motor mount with the savvy 1.25 body lift? Or do they just go hand in hand with each other?

The MML is mostly meant to help alleviate the drive line angle between the transfer case output and the rear axle's pinion, since moving the front up will change the rear's angle. The fan shroud is really only a small consideration, since moving it isn't difficult. The MML is not always required, but it becomes more important with tummy tucks and/or suspension lifts (especially on TJs as opposed to the TJ Unlimited due to how short the rear driveshaft is).

If you plan any additional lift then I would say just get the MML now if you can. Do one of the spacers instead of the replacement motor mounts and keep the OEM rubber in there for the best NVH isolation.

 

[99sahara99]

Thanks guys, I'll tack on the MML to the body lift order. If it would help down the road let's just get em done at the same time.