TJ front bumper opinion needed

[Fouledplugs]

Gen Right steel front bumper, included in the price is 2 recovery points and a winch fairlead mount for $299.00
https://genright.com/products/tj-lj-stubby-front-bumper-steel.html

GenRight Aluminum front bumper also includes two recovery points and a winch fairlead mount for $499.00
https://genright.com/products/tj-lj-stubby-front-bumper-aluminum.html

So while the Savvy is a good option, adding recovery points or even a winch fairlead adds overall cost. The base price for the Savvy is also $50 more than the GenRight aluminum bumper which includes recovery points and winch fairlead at $499. If you dont need the aluminum, GenRight offers a steel front bumper at $299. As of right now the Savvy looks like it is not in stock.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

Serbronz makes an excellent point as usual. Based on your stated use either style would work. The Stubby is designed to alow the tire to hit the rock giving you a better approach angle to the obstacle you are crawling over. The full lenght will of course offer fender protection as tjrubicon states. If you want a DIY project there are many mfg'ers who make either style at lower prices but you do need to factor in time and materials for your chosen finish.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Motobilt builds some nice bumpers right here in the good ole USA. Alabama to be exact. Dan has a small shop that focuses on quality over quantity.
Here is their 42 inch mid wodth steel bumper with a $299 proce tag. Its built with 3/16 steel.
https://www.motobilt.com/jeep-yj-tj-lj-mid-width-front-bumper.html

Motobilt also offers a 34 inch stubby front steel bumper for $250. Adding a winchfairlead adds to the overall cost. Made in the USA.
https://www.motobilt.com/jeep-yj-tj-competition-front-bumper.html

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

For that $$$ I'd rather have the better designed aluminum bumper from Savvy Offroad which has an integrated winch mount.

Ok I'll bite..why is this design better or what makes it different from the 1000 other stubby bumpers with hoop, light bar, shackle mount, winch plate designs out there...weight? Granted it will be lighter but I would suggest that any benefit gained there is greatly offset by the fact that you will have to isolate it from any steel to avoid galvanic corrosion. This means you will have to isolate it from the frame and mounting bolts used, the tow hooks and their bolts, any lights mounted or face corrosion at those contact points. Sounds like a giant PITA which can be avoided by just bolting on a steel bumper.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Ok I'll bite..why is this design better or what makes it different from the 1000 other stubby bumpers with hoop, light bar, shackle mount, winch plate designs out there...weight? Granted it will be lighter but I would suggest that any benefit gained there is greatly offset by the fact that you will have to isolate it from any steel to avoid galvanic corrosion. This means you will have to isolate it from the frame and mounting bolts used, the tow hooks and their bolts, any lights mounted or face corrosion at those contact points. Sounds like a giant PITA which can be avoided by just bolting on a steel bumper.

Im with you on that discussion . You did more than bite. You stepped in it. :risas3: This thread now has the potential to derail.

 

[Serbonze]

It's a toy and i want it to look good but also function well. It will only get off road little bit.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Then if it's just between the two that you posted, I like the look of the Mopar bumper more than the ARB.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Mopar all the way if you are on the fence between the two.

 

[Serbonze]

This was the one I was looking at. Obviously there are so many choices out there which makes it hard to narrow down so hoping someone had used or seen this bumper from rock hard. Or could recommend one that’s durable and affordable. I know that’s a lot to ask for.
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12065_100.htm

The other links that glwood and Chris posted seemed to show different types than I posted.
I plan on purchasing a winch one day. Honestly I’m undecided if I should go with stub or full length bumber to help protect the fendors. The purpose of my tj will be mostly trail riding at national parks and off road parks with my wife. It’s not a daily driver but will see some city and highway driving couple times a week. I’m not planning on serious rock crawling or muddng but want protection and the to ability to get through it or be pulled out if I mistakenly stick her on the wrong path lol.

My father has that exact Rockhard front bumper and it has taken an incredible amount of abuse.

 

[Serbonze]

Motobilt builds some nice bumpers right here in the good ole USA. Alabama to be exact. Dan has a small shop that focuses on quality over quantity.
Here is their 42 inch mid wodth steel bumper with a $299 proce tag. Its built with 3/16 steel.
https://www.motobilt.com/jeep-yj-tj-lj-mid-width-front-bumper.html



Motobilt also offers a 34 inch stubby front steel bumper for $250. Adding a winchfairlead adds to the overall cost. Made in the USA.
https://www.motobilt.com/jeep-yj-tj-competition-front-bumper.html

They are also having a black Friday sale giving you 20% off and free shipping.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Ok I'll bite..why is this design better or what makes it different from the 1000 other stubby bumpers with hoop, light bar, shackle mount, winch plate designs out there...weight? Granted it will be lighter but I would suggest that any benefit gained there is greatly offset by the fact that you will have to isolate it from any steel to avoid galvanic corrosion. This means you will have to isolate it from the frame and mounting bolts used, the tow hooks and their bolts, any lights mounted or face corrosion at those contact points. Sounds like a giant PITA which can be avoided by just bolting on a steel bumper.

Look at any competitive vehicle and you'll find many aluminum components being used. Any minor negatives to aluminum are far outweighed by its positives or aluminum wouldn't be so popular.

Here's a good article on it in Pirate... http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/45279-electrolysis-between-steel-aluminum.html

And if you're that worried about it, just have it anodized, painted, or powder coated like a steel bumper requires as well.

This is my ten year old anodized aluminum Savvy bumper... and my TJ hasn't fallen apart yet.

 

[Serbonze]

This is my ten year old anodized aluminum Savvy bumper... and my TJ hasn't fallen apart yet.

I've used plenty of anodized parts in several hobbies, but I've never actually sent a part out for anodizing myself. How does the cost for that compare to paint or powdercoat?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I've used plenty of anodized parts in several hobbies, but I've never actually sent a part out for anodizing myself. How does the cost for that compare to paint or powdercoat?

I can't say on the anodizing, mine came that way when I bought the TJ from the owner of Savvy after my first TJ was stolen. He anodized all the aluminum parts on it, mostly to "black it out".

This is my previous TJ, I just left all the aluminum parts I installed in their natural state.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

Look at any competitive vehicle and you'll find many aluminum components being used. The negatives of aluminum are far outweighed by the positives or aluminum wouldn't be so popular.

Here's a good article on it in Pirate... http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/45279-electrolysis-between-steel-aluminum.html

And if you're that worried about it, just have it anodized, painted, or powder coated like a steel bumper requires as well.

This is my ten year old anodized aluminum Savvy bumper... and my TJ hasn't fallen apart yet.

View attachment 26005

Ok that's fine so it is a personal choice instead of it being better since popularity does not say much about quality or design else cheep chinese products are the best in the world.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Ok that's fine so it is a personal choice instead of it being better since popularity does not say much about quality or design else cheep chinese products are the best in the world.

I dunno why I get the distinct feeling you're purposely busting my balls for my recommendation to the OP to look at the Savvy aluminum bumper @05 Blue Unlimited but I do. And if you knew Savvy, you wouldn't question their quality or designs. They have a sterling reputation as a non-mass produced high-end product in use on better built or competition vehicles. I'm quite sure however that you do question it which is you're choice. Regardless, I'm done here.

 

[glwood]

This was the one I was looking at. Obviously there are so many choices out there which makes it hard to narrow down so hoping someone had used or seen this bumper from rock hard. Or could recommend one that’s durable and affordable. I know that’s a lot to ask for.
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12065_100.htm

The other links that glwood and Chris posted seemed to show different types than I posted.

I was responding to the link that @Starrs posted, not the one you referred to. See post # 13.

 

[glwood]

If you are looking for durable and affordable, you can't go wrong with Dirtworx. Plus, Robert @ Dirtworx will configure it any way you want - hoop, no hoop (costs less), winch plate, length, etc. The only thing is they ship bare steel, and you have to finish them yourself or have them painted or powder coated. I painted mine, front & rear, and they turned out great. They are excellent bumpers, don't cost an arm and a leg, and are built to take a beating and last.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

In addition to my above recommended Savvy bumper, one more brand I have personal experience with I can also recommend is Dirt Worx. Check out his front bumper at http://www.thedirtworx.com/_p/prd13/1638357845/product/front-bumper

Robert makes a very nice bumper here in the U.S. for less $$$ than most of the mass-produced imports from China that are commonly sold by outlets like Quadratec and 4Wheel Parts.

Edit: glwood & I were apparently thinking the exact same product at the same time. Great minds think alike.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

@Jerry. It's not that I am busting your balls per se but I do have issue with statements of good, better, and best when what has preceeded or will follow is an opinion back by anecdotes. You see this everywhere but not so much on this forum which is why I like it. Maybe it's just an improper use of language when what one should really say "this is what I did and why I did it."

You see this often when the subject of winches comes up, which is better warn or badlands. I submit that both have their place within certian parameters and intened use. Same with a bumper, the OP's 200.00 intended use does not warrant a 600.00 application but again this is my opinion.

Your recommendation to the OP is fine and you'er right Savvy has a great rep, I only took and take issue with it being described as better.

 

[glwood]

@Jerry. It's not that I am busting your balls per se but I do have issue with statements of good, better, and best when what has preceeded or will follow is an opinion back by anecdotes. You see this everywhere but not so much on this forum which is why I like it. Maybe it's just an improper use of language when what one should really say "this is what I did and why I did it."

You see this often when the subject of winches comes up, which is better warn or badlands. I submit that both have their place within certian parameters and intened use. Same with a bumper, the OP's 200.00 intended use does not warrant a 600.00 application but again this is my opinion.

Your recommendation to the OP is fine and you'er right Savvy has a great rep, I only took and take issue with it being described as better.

I don't take any issue with what Jerry posted. I for one believe Savvy stuff is better, probably the best you can buy. If I wanted to spend the money, everything on my TJ would be Savvy - bumpers, suspension, rocker guards, TC shifter cable, etc. I just spend less on what I think is good enough for my uses.

 

[Tjrubicon]

I have had the Rock Hard bumper on my last two TJ's and I really like them. They are well built in the USA, have a built-in winch plate and come in 3 different sizes. Mine is the 54". They make 1 longer and 1 shorter.

Can't go wrong with Rock Hard.

View attachment 25999

I like the look of that one. Thanks for the info.