What's wrong with the cheap China bumpers?

[Spike Strip]

Starting to plan for a mild build on my 2005 X RME. I'm seeing lots of inexpensive bumpers front and rear on FleaBay and Amazon. I have no problem spending on a quality bumper, but I don't do rock-crawling etc so don't want or need a 300lb 3/8" steel rampart. Just want something that's more protective than stock and will support a 8-10K winch.

So questions are:

Are the $500+ front Bumpers 'better' and in what way (I don't have any brands in mind, yet).

And, are the $200 CCP specials junk or just mass-produced cheapness. I'm seeing a lot of sales with good reviews.

Also, I have a preference to support home-grown small business, within reason, so I thought I'd ask the experts .

Fire away!

 

[L J]

they are cheap and Chinese

 

[Rubiconned]

 

[tworley]

Flux is doing good work on his bumpers. Deep deck, lightweight, reinforced corners, crossmember bracing, integrated fairlead, forum member.

 

[jjvw]

Flux is doing good work on his bumpers. Deep deck, lightweight, reinforced corners, crossmember bracing, integrated fairlead, forum member.

View attachment 572848

Stop it. That is a rock crawling bumper.

 

[tworley]

Stop it. That is a rock crawling bumper.

Ah! How could I be so stupid!

 

[Murf926]

 

[06lj]

Those cheap bumpers are cheap for a reason. They are heavy, the welds are crap, the powder coating is poorly applied and they are generally ugly. For your stated purposes the stock bumpers are fine. If you do dent one they are cheap to replace. As far as a winch goes a simple winch plate will suffice. To improve the looks of the stock bumper you can toss the end caps and remove the bumper pads. I'd spend the money elsewhere and upgrade to a functional bumper if you ever start taking your Jeep places it is needed.

 

[TJ Jim]

They just don’t look good. Had one. Sold it and bought an American made that looked like good quality paint and build.
Bottom line for me was they look like cheap “couldn’t afford a nice one” but I wanna be cool too bumper. Just my opinion.

 

[Chris]

They weigh so much.

 

[Lou]

Sounds like any bumper will suit your needs just fine. The problem with the cheap bumpers you are looking at is they are as ugly as you can get. That’s not my opinion that is a fact.

 

[GregBelleville]

They weigh so much.

No joke, the Smittybilt XRC front bumper on mine has completely negated the 1.5" lift springs installed. These are items I'll eventually upgrade, but for now it's doing it's job, but yes it's fugly.

 

[Chris]

No joke, the Smittybilt XRC front bumper on mine has completely negated the 1.5" lift springs installed. These are items I'll eventually upgrade, but for now it's doing it's job, but yes it's fugly.

Yep, after experiencing steel and then aluminum bumpers I don’t know why anyone would run steel at all other than saving money.

 

[macleanflood]

Buy a welder and make exactly what you want.

You'll learn all sorts of things. It won't save you anything on this project...but it will on every next project...

-Mac

 

[Spike Strip]

I own and am proficient with a welder, but don't own the tools to efficiently cut thick sheet steel. Even if I did, these days I just want to buy a good quality part for a fair price and bolt it on and have fun.

 

[macleanflood]

Plasma cutter! =)

-Mac

 

[Link]

Nothing wrong with them. Use what makes you happy. Ignore anyone who tries to tell you what you have to like.

 

[Unique Username]

You can find decently priced bumpers made in the USA. LoD as one example is a quality bumper made in Utah. Just do a little looking around. I'm only recommending them as I purchased from them in the past, bashed it into rocks and it took the beating well. It's heavy as all get out but it's nice for the money.
I have also ran the rear Smitty. Never used the recovery point as I have seen to many poor welds from overseas products. I think that is the real factor is it not holding up when it needs to hold up. Many options for weld together kits if you have the time.

 

[tnjeepguy]

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-Winch-Plate-factory-bumpers/dp/B003CGEQ5E?tag=wranglerorg-20

One of these or one like it and put your OEM bumper on, or cut it down some and ready to go inexpensive.

 

[macleanflood]

Smitty Built might be Chinese made but they're good enough to kill a TJ. And the JK it was mounted on. It's been moved over to another JKU, only slightly tweaked and the coating is holding up fine.

-Mac