Scored Big, New Bumper

[Happy 0369]

Recently bought on 2002 TJ Sport, completely stock. Naturally, looking for a few upgrades to make it a little more protected and stronger. I found a listing on Facebook Marketplace for a bumper that looked very well built for only $130. The pictures indicated a Body Armor bumper, contacted the seller and picked up the bumper tonight. It's leftover stock from somewhere, it is a Body Armor Bumper YJ-14331. This thing is built strong. I need to find this type of deal for the rear bumper and rocker rails.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Well done....always good to get a steal of a deal....or maybe it should be 'Steel'

 

[Chris]

I've never seen this bumper before. Take some photos once you get it installed as I am curious as to what it will look like.

I can tell you that you got one hell of a good deal, that's for sure!

 

[Happy 0369]

I typed in the model number and it comes up as a discontinued model. The label on the box was old and only listed the YJ series. I was able to find listings with several vendors for it but they all said not available. It's a hell of a deal especially when you look at the current lower priced bumpers.

 

[Chris]

Looks like it's very well made too, not a cheap one by any means when it was new.

 

[pagrey]

I bought the rear bumper because it holds gas cans and the seller tossed in the front one because he didn't want it in his garage. If you can find the rear bumper/tire carrier to match it is great too.

 

[Happy 0369]

And now the rest of the story. It appears that this was a blem and it has been sitting around for a while. When I went to mount it on the Jeep the mounts are to wide apart. I had to take it in and have the mounts cut and rewelded to get to fit correctly. I'm still ahead on the deal just not as much. The rest of the bumper is still very solid.

 

[Flib]

looks great, however they could have done a much better job on moving the mounts. I see its not a winch bumper so you should be OK.

 

[pagrey]

Too bad you had to spend extra but at least you got it installed. It's hard to describe how sturdy that bumper is unless you've seen one in person. Does yours have tabs on the back of the center hoop?

 

[Happy 0369]

What I didn't post was how the whole original mount that forms a complete "C" around the frame was cut, moved and completely re-welded around the "C". It's not pretty but it is very strong. There are four light tabs, two on the main section and two on the upper loop.

 

[T Crawford]

It’s a deal to you and worth it that’s what counts

 

[lowranger]

And now the rest of the story. It appears that this was a blem and it has been sitting around for a while. When I went to mount it on the Jeep the mounts are to wide apart. I had to take it in and have the mounts cut and rewelded to get to fit correctly. I'm still ahead on the deal just not as much. The rest of the bumper is still very solid.

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Wasn't that bumper made for a YJ? On your first post, thought I saw YJ-14331.

 

[pagrey]

All the bolts are in the same place. This bumper probably would not have worked on either.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Are the tabs your shackles are mounted on through-welded on the backside of the bumper as well as the front?

 

[pagrey]

Mine are welded on just like my Reese tow hitch is welded together, in fact they both use the same 3/4 steel.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Mine are welded on just like my Reese tow hitch is welded together, in fact they both use the same 3/4 steel.

What I asked was if the tabs the shackles are on are through-welded... as in welded onto the bumper's back side too and not just welded onto the front.

3/4" steel? Do you mean 3/16"?

 

[pagrey]

3/4" steel tabs, the bumper wall is fairly thick. To give you an idea the rear bumper has a wall section that you can measure and it is 3/8" thick. It is really heavy. My Reese tow hitch, which is 3/4" steel butt welded to 3/32" steel is rated just about the same as my bow shackles. The front bumper which has 3/4" steel tabs butt welded to fairly thick, maybe 3/8" thick steel like the rear.

The difference in steel, at least in thickness is pretty obvious if you've seen one in person, it is not 3/16". This isn't one of those folded hollow angular bumpers. I think the quote from 4wheeler is "the Body Armor bumper could be used on an up-armored military vehicle; it's heavy, and it might be heavier than the ARB unit."

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/wheels-tires/154-0708-tire-carrier-shootout/

It's a good thing to think about before you go yanking on tree stumps, especially your weakest link, but in the end anybody that assumes something isn't going to break in a recovery is making a mistake. Interesting discussion for me at least, I'd be curious to hear if you had any first hand experience with this bumper? Sorry for hijacking the OPs thread, I'm sure they are tabbed out at this point.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

3/4" steel tabs, the bumper wall is fairly thick. To give you an idea the rear bumper has a wall section that you can measure and it is 3/8" thick. It is really heavy. My Reese tow hitch, which is 3/4" steel butt welded to 3/32" steel is rated just about the same as my bow shackles. The front bumper which has 3/4" steel tabs butt welded to fairly thick, maybe 3/8" thick steel like the rear.

In other words, no the tabs are not through-welded as they definitely should be for recovery purposes. I wouldn't use a surface welded tab for recovery purposes. Maybe for safety chains when towing a trailer but that's all I'd use surface-welded tabs for.

 

[pagrey]

That makes sense, I see what you are saying.