Opinions on bumpers

[jjvw]

I've been browsing stuff I absolutely don't need to buy for days and this is the one I keep coming back to. I have zero use for better approach angles, no winch planned right now, and don't have much more weight left that I could shave off the front but I just frankly like the stubby minimal bumper look and the options to add the other stuff someday when I get to that point.

What all is it missing? I know no d-rings but it does accept the stock tow hooks which are comparable yeah? Looks like you could drill your own fog light mounting holes too and I believe it mounts both bottom and top like the stock bumper

UCF is missing...
-an integrated winch deck.
-bolting locations that extend to the factory sway bar mounts.
-ability to move the winch and fairlead backwards.
-Underside front crossmember tube bracing.

I mentioned earlier that my Motobilt stubby is heavily modified. It is modified to incorporate as much of the Savvy design as I knew how to. Savvy is slightly heavier than UCF, for the reasons stated. My steel version is a bit more than twice as heavy as Savvy.

 

[jjvw]

Maybe and probably not the best choice for a serious off-road kinda person, but mine never leaves the pavement so probably not a bad choice for someone like me.

No criticism there. If mine were more of a street queen than it is, I would still gravitate towards aluminum, keeping the Jeep lightweight and free of useless clutter. UFC seems to be a good candidate for that.

 

[mrblaine]

Yeah, I guess so. They could just list the actual weight and the shipped weight though, what is it, a couple more key strokes for the person listing the info on their website? Some people just wanna know the installed weight, it's reasonable to expect that packing adds weight and cost also.

They could do a lot of things. Each of those things takes time and they have to be kept up with and you have to try and anticipate every relevant question that might arise and answer that. Just when you think you have it down, someone will be irritated, bothered, or just go elsewhere because you didn't answer his question and he has to expend some effort to discover the answer. There is no way to get it right.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

UCF is missing...
-an integrated winch deck.
-bolting locations that extend to the factory sway bar mounts.
-ability to move the winch and fairlead backwards.
-Underside front crossmember tube bracing.

Good info, thanks. For the second one, you're talking just additional mounting points for a more sturdy bumper yeah? And for the last one, you're talking that you can only bolt it on the underside but there's nothing else to strengthen it like another sturdier bumper might have?

 

[Irun]

UCF is missing...
-an integrated winch deck.
-bolting locations that extend to the factory sway bar mounts.
-ability to move the winch and fairlead backwards.
-Underside front crossmember tube bracing.

I mentioned earlier that my Motobilt stubby is heavily modified. It is modified to incorporate as much of the Savvy design as I knew how to. Savvy is slightly heavier than UCF, for the reasons stated. My steel version is a bit more than twice as heavy as Savvy.

When you get a chance, can you give me a measurement of the distance between your grill and the outer most edge of the bumper, excluding the d-rings? I'm basically looking for how much does the bumper stick out from the grill.

 

[Westtown Willy]

When you get a chance, can you give me a measurement of the distance between your grill and the outer most edge of the bumper, excluding the d-rings? I'm basically looking for how much does the bumper stick out from the grill.

if you're referring to the Motobilt, I don't know the measurement but i can say this, not much. Barely forward of the frame rails:

the antirock goes right through the crossmember which is recessed a bit in the rails, as a point of reference

 

[Tray Burge]

The Motobilt is definitely in the running for me when I buy my bumper.

 

[jjvw]

When you get a chance, can you give me a measurement of the distance between your grill and the outer most edge of the bumper, excluding the d-rings? I'm basically looking for how much does the bumper stick out from the grill.

 

[jjvw]

Good info, thanks. For the second one, you're talking just additional mounting points for a more sturdy bumper yeah? And for the last one, you're talking that you can only bolt it on the underside but there's nothing else to strengthen it like another sturdier bumper might have?

The winch deck extends back to the grill and captures the sway bar mounting holes for a total of 8 bolts on top. The deck becomes an enormous gusset to strengthen the front frame. Then the underside has a bracing lip that extends up to the tube crossmember. This prevents the bumper from collapsing upwards when used as a ramp or when the Jeep lands on the surface. This brace adds a great deal of strength to the steering box skid as well.

These are the important additions to my Motobilt.

 

[psrivats]

if you're referring to the Motobilt, I don't know the measurement but i can say this, not much. Barely forward of the frame rails:

View attachment 134287View attachment 134288View attachment 134289View attachment 134290

the antirock goes right through the crossmember which is recessed a bit in the rails, as a point of reference

Very good photos.

 

[DWR]

UCF also make an aluminum front bumper that weighs 10lbs.
https://undercoverfab.com/jeep-tj-l...num-front-bumper-for-jeep-wrangler-tj-lj.html$210 with free shipping is not a bad price for a lightweight bumper.

Can this one be setup for flat towing? I don’t do it now but I love the option for the future.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Can this one be setup for flat towing? I don’t do it now but I love the option for the future.

I looked for this too and didn't see it in any reviews/comments. I don't think this is the best overall bumper for the $$ necessarily but I like that I can add on to it later if/when I decide to. Was hoping that'd be a feature

 

[Oldguy]

Found this, bumper only 210.00 10 lbs shipping weight https://undercoverfab.com/jeep-tj-l....html#/30-winch_hoop-none/34-winch_plate-none

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Found this, bumper only 210.00 10 lbs shipping weight https://undercoverfab.com/jeep-tj-l....html#/30-winch_hoop-none/34-winch_plate-none

Yeahhhh we've been kickin that one around in here - there's a good explanation of the cons a page or two back. For some though I think it's a legit option

 

[Chris]

Let's not turn this into a political discussion of China vs. U.S. If you want to discuss that, do it in the Politics sub-forum.

Any country in the world is capable of building a quality product, be it China, the U.S., Russia, etc. Let's stay on track here please.

 

[Starrs]

That's shipping weight I believe. I can tell you with 100% certainty that the Savvy bumper without any options DOES NOT weigh 30 lbs. I am so sure of that that I'd bet anything on it.

I need @mrblaine to confirm this for me then.

Blaine, does the Savvy front bumper actually weigh 30 lbs. without any options?

If you still had your TJ you could weigh it lol

 

[Irun]

Found this, bumper only 210.00 10 lbs shipping weight https://undercoverfab.com/jeep-tj-l....html#/30-winch_hoop-none/34-winch_plate-none

jjvw outlined some of the UCF cons back in post #61. That said, it's not a bad bumper for the money. I ran one for several years, wheeled it fairly hard and never had a problem. My single biggest complaint was that you have re-use your factory tow hooks, which made recoveries challenging a couple times. Also, the hoop interfers with the factory tow hooks (I had to grind mine to clearance them) and was so tight against my winch that I couldn't fully cover it. Lastly, if you add the hoop and winchplate, there are other bumpers that are much better options for the money.

If you're looking for a basic bumper, I'm a motobilt convert. For $249 you get an excellent bumper that has built in d-ring tabs and is winch ready. I think all you would have to add the fairlead. The downside to the motobilt bumper is that you have to spend $299 for free shipping. If you add the fairlead when you purchase, you're only at $289. Maybe you could call them and see what they would do?

https://www.motobilt.com/product/jeep_yjtj_stubby_front_bumper_bare_steel

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Anyone rocking a Steinjager? This one looks like it bolts into the frame under the sway bar bushings/bar as well which is a plus. Looks like it comes in a bunch of colors if that's your thing and a bare metal one can be had for $220 looks like.

 

[Ericshere03]

Anyone rocking a Steinjager? This one looks like it bolts into the frame under the sway bar bushings/bar as well which is a plus. Looks like it comes in a bunch of colors if that's your thing and a bare metal one can be had for $220 looks like.

View attachment 134845

I can see any color, just terribly welded seams everywhere !!! For the money I’d go UCF aluminum.

 

[GPK03X]

My son purchased an 02 TJ and he and I are slowly working on it. It came with RC 3" lift and 33" tires. I have already learned that I need to switch out the RC shocks for some Rancho's. (Thanks to Chris and the rest of you for that info....these things ride like a tank.) Now he wants to change the bumpers from the originals. He is looking at bumpers like this one.
View attachment 133090
I trust this group's opinion. I am seeing these things anywhere from $280 all the way up to $1000. He is not planning to do any serious off road trips but maybe some easy trail riding. What is the consensus as to what companies to stay away from and which to look at?

Greatly appreciate the help.

When I bought my Jeep the stock bumper was bent. Couldn’t have that so I went to the new 4wheel parts store. Bought the in stock Smittybilt. Wish I would have replaced with a stock bumper