Search for Smittybilt on any Jeep forum. The negative reviews far outweigh the positive reviews.
Anyone running a roll cage?
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Search for Smittybilt on any Jeep forum. The negative reviews far outweigh the positive reviews.
Is there a consensus on the strength difference between a cage add on and a new cage from a company like poison spyder? I like the idea of the cage add on but also plan to go with a full roll cage at some point in the future. Is there a considerable difference in strength?
ohiopatriot
TJ Enthusiast
They're a big company with product everywhere. Someone's buying it. Most won't leave a review unless it's to bash a company. It's not the "cool" brand, but it's a good price point product. It's your project, use what you want and can afford.
Many on here bash on their winch, but I have one on my XJ and it's worked fine. I'm not crossing the outback solo and don't wheel alone, so the $500 bucks I saved on the "Shittybilt" paid for the bumper and some recovery gear on a budget build.
Ymmv.
:firedevil:
Suited up.
I for one, would rather pay more for a product that was designed, tested and built by the company that took the time and paid for the R&D to bring the product to market than purchase from a company that blatantly ripped of the design and outsourced the manufacturing to China.
Over and over again with almost everything they sell!
The first version of the Smittybilt cage add-on was a direct copy of the Rock Hard sport cage. It was quickly removed from market to change the collars enough to get past the patent infringement on the original Rock Hard locking collars before being re-released.
Over and over again with almost everything they sell!
The first version of the Smittybilt cage add-on was a direct copy of the Rock Hard sport cage. It was quickly removed from market to change the collars enough to get past the patent infringement on the original Rock Hard locking collars before being re-released.
when i bought my jeep in October one of the first things i did was ask my teenage daughter and her friend to help me lift the roof off and we would go for a ride. the kids jumped in the back and my wife followed behind in her car. my wife was not thrilled about their heads being so exposed so i looked around and saw the smittybilt and the poison spyder kits. every time i bring my car to be worked on it seems i spend as much time unscrewing up what they did so i do things myself.This has included motor swaps ,trans swaps, rewiring of entire car , adding dual a/c, converting to fuel injection, self leveling remote control air ride, 4 wheel wilwood disc brakes, narrowed 9" rear ,power windows ,power door locks power seats converting to rack and pinion steering ,also added a supercharger to my fox body mustang, converting to rack and pinion. unfortunately i do not weld pretty enough to attempt a roll cage so the ps kit was out. it was a weekend project to bolt in the kit. i am realistic about what i bought. if my 4 wheeling was Moab all the time and i was serious a welded cage would be the answer but i live in the "hills" section of my neighborhood and were only 14ft above sea level. so i am more likely to get buried in mud then fall down a hill
If they can’t get something as simple as bolts correct, what in God’s name makes you want to trust their roll cage with your life?
I’m amazed people are making excuses for Smittybilt.
Some people don't know what true quality parts are. If you go to extremeterrain.com or even quadratec, most of their catalogue is rough country, skyjacker, smittybuilt, rugged ridge etc... You won't find much if any Currie, Metalcloak, Poison Spyder, or Savvy in the mainstream websites. That turns into a lot of uneducated purchases and poorly modified Jeeps. Most people just don't know any better.
The wifey went with me on a couple of off-road trips. She really enjoyed the rides but said she wasn’t going again unless I upgraded the stock cage. Even she noticed the windshield wasn’t a good support. I did a lot of research and determined if you truly want safe you need to start with a through the dash system that also,replaces the over the door bars. I went with a Koz off road front cage. It’s a weld in kit that goes all the way to the floor in front. Along with the a-pillar and over the door tubes it has a dash brace, 2 overhead tubes and a rear c-pillar brace. Everything is bent and notched ready to weld in. Then I also added several pieces to it in the back. I still wouldn’t call it a roll cage but I feel better in it than any bolt in kit that uses flat plate attached to the dash.
guess i just don't like my intelligence questioned when i know 100% what i was purchasing and was very satisfied . if i was gonna run king of the hammers then anyone bolt in sport bar would be a joke i knew that going in to my purchase. For the $800 difference at morris 4 x 4
i got my smittybilt xr something winch with the synthetic cable and my smittybilt rear bumper and i'm happy with it sorry it doesn't meet the jeep gods approval. i have never had a kit come with everythin i have needed down to every little nut and bolt so if 90 % of the reviews were bad screws no big deal
i got my smittybilt xr something winch with the synthetic cable and my smittybilt rear bumper and i'm happy with it sorry it doesn't meet the jeep gods approval. i have never had a kit come with everythin i have needed down to every little nut and bolt so if 90 % of the reviews were bad screws no big deal
@59 wagon man: that was a pretty petty, condescending response. If that's the attitude you're going to take with people who disagree with you on the forum, get ready for a long string of disappointments.
That out of the way: I simply cannot agree with you that Smittybilt is a good company.
They screwed up my one and only order with them: a set of seat risers. Coincidentally, as you've noted, this specific order included incorrect bolts. The kit contained eight very basic parts: four bolts and four plastic pucks — not even remotely close to the complexity of a potentially life-saving roll cage.
I absolutely would not trust Smittybilt with my safety or the safety of any occupant in my TJ.
That out of the way: I simply cannot agree with you that Smittybilt is a good company.
They screwed up my one and only order with them: a set of seat risers. Coincidentally, as you've noted, this specific order included incorrect bolts. The kit contained eight very basic parts: four bolts and four plastic pucks — not even remotely close to the complexity of a potentially life-saving roll cage.
I absolutely would not trust Smittybilt with my safety or the safety of any occupant in my TJ.
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Did you or did you not ask for opinions? Then you get all mauled up because people give them to you and they do not coincide with your thoughts? Don't ask if you don't want to hear the answer........:facepalm:
I agree 100%. Here's a lot of history that not everyone is aware of.
Smittybilt was started & run by "old man Smitty" who earned a great reputation for building great quality Jeep parts over many years. His Jeep products were designed and manufactured here in the US. Then old man Smitty died. A group of investors bought the "Smittybilt" name from his family. They bought nothing else but the "Smittybilt" name. They abandoned the entire Smittybilt company and closed up old man Smitty's manufacturing line. What the new Smittybilt company became and is now is strictly an importer of 100% Chinese manufactured parts. There's nothing left of the old Smittybilt line of outstanding US made Jeep parts. Smittybilt is pretty much nothing but an importer now.
In my strictly personal opinion, the new owners of Smittybilt did nothing but buy a name with an excellent reputation and then start importing products using that name which had instant name recognition. No relation to the original Smittybilt company at all, just the name is the same. In my strictly personal opinion, their stuff doesn't hold up and their reputation among experienced Jeepers is that of pure crap... again strictly my personal opinion. I've seen enough Smittybilt products over the years since before old man Smitty died and of the current Smittybilt company to know I personally wouldn't buy any of the current Smittybilt products. Especially not something I might have to trust my life on some day. Again, just my personal opinion.
Here's a Smittybilt spare tire carrier. Its hinge point design allowed this... it just fell off from where it was welded to the bumper. In my personal opinion, this is a perfectly example of their cheap poorly manufactured designs. Would I run one of their roll cages. Don't make me laugh.
Here's a front Smittybilt bumper after a relatively minor impact... cheap thin tubing as you can see.
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ohiopatriot
TJ Enthusiast
He did not.
I don't have a dog in this fight, but damn some of you are awfully opinionated about a product you've never seen or obviously installed or used. He responded to the OP with a simple, yes I have one, someone else asks him what brand and some of you don't like his choice for whatever reason (wrong bolts, personal opinion, internet said so) and pile on.
Save your bullshit for someone who's earned it. Not some guy who bought a part you wouldn't.
He didn't ask, true, but being obnoxious and condescending when you don't like other people's opinions is certainly going to elicit negative responses.
ohiopatriot
TJ Enthusiast
:BangHead:
Whatever, I guess we're not reading the same thead. Like I said, I don't have a dog in this fight.
Not going to argue with the Jeep Gods.
Whatever, I guess we're not reading the same thead. Like I said, I don't have a dog in this fight.
Not going to argue with the Jeep Gods.
let me explain in case there was a misunderstanding
1- there are many people on here who know more and probably forgot about jeeps then i will ever know
2- i do put value in your opinions it has saved me money and heartache and costed me money
a- i once asked about a snorkel many negative reasons given and it made sense therefore no snorkel
b- used a factory mopar pump as sugeested as the reasoning made sense
c- did my differentials using the felpro gaskets and torqued to specs ,asked a question on here and someone recommended a specific mopar rtv $26 for a little tube but it worked no leaks
3- though i am new to jeeps the 59 wagon man is for my 59 brookwood wagon. i can bolt crap on with the best of them sorry but i don't have the knowledge or talent or money for my own machine shop. basically over the past 20 yrs there is much except body and paint which i sent out.
4-though i have a 9000 lb harbor freight winch witch i use to drag my 59 wagon up my inclined driveway into my garage when i have an issue with it mounted on a trailer hitch which i have a curt frame mounted front hitch so i could have just used it buut you know us guys i hated the steel cable and wanted a synthetic cable. well those are a few hundred and a new smittybilt winch was about $450 with a warranty. i know after having a warn winch on my blazer 30 yrs ago they are worth the money . but it actually is more winch then i need . my shittybilt will get more use in preventative maintenance of running it in and out once a month then it will ever get in pulling me up mount Everest
5- i would never question why someone would have a positive opinion of a company because i didn't
a- i knew going into my sport bar purchase
1- bolt in will never be as strong as weld in
2- i can braze and maybe weld an exhaust but a rollbar is out of the question for my ability
3- very few times have i had a shop work on my car when i haven't spent as much time fixing or arguing about there screwup therefore no weld in kit
4- i never plan on running the baja 1000
5- definitely adds strength to the factory bars. could it be better? for sure
6- there are reviews on line about people rolling there jeep and walking away with there shittybilt cage.hopefully mine is never put to the test
6- one thing i have learned is i will never have the fastest or baddest jeep or hot rod but mine get used. my 59 has been from fl to nj to Detroit to texas several times . my jeep got a $300 black paint job looked to good to be my jeep ,pulled the roof , put on the shittybilt bumper ,went to jeep beach 3 days later and proceeded to go thru muddy water up to my dash and still laugh about it. it is having fun. same way i knew i didn't need a $3500 paint job
7- i never try to be an internet tough guy and take offense when you run what i bought thru the dirt. everyone is entitled to there opinion and i never questioned yours
1- there are many people on here who know more and probably forgot about jeeps then i will ever know
2- i do put value in your opinions it has saved me money and heartache and costed me money
a- i once asked about a snorkel many negative reasons given and it made sense therefore no snorkel
b- used a factory mopar pump as sugeested as the reasoning made sense
c- did my differentials using the felpro gaskets and torqued to specs ,asked a question on here and someone recommended a specific mopar rtv $26 for a little tube but it worked no leaks
3- though i am new to jeeps the 59 wagon man is for my 59 brookwood wagon. i can bolt crap on with the best of them sorry but i don't have the knowledge or talent or money for my own machine shop. basically over the past 20 yrs there is much except body and paint which i sent out.
4-though i have a 9000 lb harbor freight winch witch i use to drag my 59 wagon up my inclined driveway into my garage when i have an issue with it mounted on a trailer hitch which i have a curt frame mounted front hitch so i could have just used it buut you know us guys i hated the steel cable and wanted a synthetic cable. well those are a few hundred and a new smittybilt winch was about $450 with a warranty. i know after having a warn winch on my blazer 30 yrs ago they are worth the money . but it actually is more winch then i need . my shittybilt will get more use in preventative maintenance of running it in and out once a month then it will ever get in pulling me up mount Everest
5- i would never question why someone would have a positive opinion of a company because i didn't
a- i knew going into my sport bar purchase
1- bolt in will never be as strong as weld in
2- i can braze and maybe weld an exhaust but a rollbar is out of the question for my ability
3- very few times have i had a shop work on my car when i haven't spent as much time fixing or arguing about there screwup therefore no weld in kit
4- i never plan on running the baja 1000
5- definitely adds strength to the factory bars. could it be better? for sure
6- there are reviews on line about people rolling there jeep and walking away with there shittybilt cage.hopefully mine is never put to the test
6- one thing i have learned is i will never have the fastest or baddest jeep or hot rod but mine get used. my 59 has been from fl to nj to Detroit to texas several times . my jeep got a $300 black paint job looked to good to be my jeep ,pulled the roof , put on the shittybilt bumper ,went to jeep beach 3 days later and proceeded to go thru muddy water up to my dash and still laugh about it. it is having fun. same way i knew i didn't need a $3500 paint job
7- i never try to be an internet tough guy and take offense when you run what i bought thru the dirt. everyone is entitled to there opinion and i never questioned yours
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Go to any forum and start a thread about Smittybilt. Won’t take long and you will find the vast majority think it’s cheap junk. Some are just repeating what they have heard. I have the rear tire carrier pictured in Jerry’s post. Bought it many years ago before I got serious about building up my jeep. Holes and hardware didn’t line up, had to modify it to stop the rattling and need a strap to keep it shut. Best thing I can say about it...it was cheap. Based on MY experience I would not use Smittybilt for a cage or anything else safety related.
one of the good things about this hobby is we can all like what we want. here is a perfect example .I am probably in the 1% minority who have actually lowered their jeep. I'm not the tallest guy on the block and my wife is even shorter then me so i got a size smaller tire and it lowered the jeep maybe 1/2" then i got rid of the factory running board thingy and installed (probably got bashed for this) warrior products sliders with step. made it much easier for my wife and i to get in the jeep. funny thing is when i rented a jeep in moab i jumped out to take a pic and then it took me about 5 minutes to get back in. i looked like a little kid jumping up to reach the cookie jar. so a raised jeep to me could be considered a waste but in reality it makes a lot of you happy so i'm fine with it
grr- i take no offense at your opinion and hope you feel none at mine. your comment does not question why i would admit to buying and feeling comfortable with a purchase i made as an educated consumer.
also as the education i received here about smittybilt shows companies can change. can it be either bad or good?
if i came and shouted that my bolt in smittybilt sport bar is way better than lets say a ps weld in it then without a doubt i would be a jerk. but factoring in what i read before i joined this site ,considered budget, ability, and benefits it was for me a comfortable decision
grr- i take no offense at your opinion and hope you feel none at mine. your comment does not question why i would admit to buying and feeling comfortable with a purchase i made as an educated consumer.
also as the education i received here about smittybilt shows companies can change. can it be either bad or good?
if i came and shouted that my bolt in smittybilt sport bar is way better than lets say a ps weld in it then without a doubt i would be a jerk. but factoring in what i read before i joined this site ,considered budget, ability, and benefits it was for me a comfortable decision
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