Which stubby bumper should I get?

[TJ-Joe]

Hey everybody,

Looking to replace my current bumper with a stubby. Have a smittybilt full size bumper on there now from the PO and I’ve grown tired of it especially since putting on the tube fenders.


I’ve done some research but looking for some input from other people. I’ve heard of most if not all of these companies and most seem to have a positive reputation.

I already think I know which one is going to be recommended the most. I will say my top 2 choices are the savvy and Dave’s customs. They look pretty similar but I like that Dave’s has the D ring holes. Savvy is nice I like that it’s aluminum but it’s pricey. I couldn’t find much on Dave’s customs and it’s one of my top choices, so if anyone can give any input especially on the bumper itself.

Also posting this to just compile what I’ve found and maybe help someone out in the future. Some of the pictures might be from here on the forum. Shipping prices are to NY so that may vary.

Dave’s Customs - $487
($280 + $150 powdercoat + $47 shipping)
Likes: The finish, d ring mounts. Winch plate included
https://davescustomsunlimited.com/jeep-tj-stubby-rock-crawler-front-bumper/

Savvy - $628
($438 + $150 powdercoat +$40 shipping)
Price with hooks, winch mount.
Likes: Reputation. Aluminum. Finished look.
Dislikes: No d ring holes only hooks. Expensive.
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/sav-tjf/

Redrock - $394
($340 + $54 shipping)
(Comes powdercoated)
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-4014.htm

7 slot customs - $350
(comes powdercoated + free shipping)
Dislikes: Location of d ring mounts. Logo on front.
https://www.7slotcustoms.com/products/jeep-wrangler-tj-yj-stubby-front-bumper

Motobilt - $450
($260 + $40 fairlead + $150 powdercoat, ships free)
Dislikes: Logo.
https://motobilt.com/collections/jeep-tj-97-06/products/jeep-yj-tj-stubby-front-bumper-bare-steel

 

[ranger101]

Looks wise, the Dave’s custom looks almost identical to the Savvy. But if you’re looking to save weight, I think a lot of people will recommend the Savvy over the rest of them.

 

[Frank M]

Savvy

 

[jjvw]

Looks wise, the Dave’s custom looks almost identical to the Savvy. ....

Apples to oranges comparison. Looks are superficial. How many bolts are used to attach Dave's compared to Savvy. Start there for one of several fundamental differences.

 

[JDS123]

I really like my Savvy just due to the weight. It was a bit expensive though.

I liked my warn stubby too, but that is getting up there in price now for $400.

Dave’s bumper looks pretty good. There will be some differences in strength between that and the savvy bumper, but you will absolutely never notice them unless you are wheeling extremely hard.

 

[pagrey]

Never even heard of Dave's Customs. Thanks for posting that whichever one you decide.

 

[crackedcornish]

I've got a different model from rockhard

ttps://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-4005-cx46.htm

 

[crackedcornish]

and the metalcloak on my YJ

 

[ranger101]

Apples to oranges comparison. Looks are superficial. How many bolts are used to attach Dave's compared to Savvy. Start there for one of several fundamental differences.

I wouldn’t discredit one for having less mounting holes than the other. At what point are the extra holes needed? Are people folding bumpers due to not not having the 4 extra mounting holes that Savvy offers?

 

[jjvw]

I wouldn’t discredit one for having less mounting holes than the other. At what point are the extra holes needed? Are people folding bumpers due to not not having the 4 extra mounting holes that Savvy offers?

Take things to the extreme and think about what keeps our ladder frames from racking. How might the transfer case skid/cross member play a role in this? The Savvy winch deck is quite a bit larger than nearly every bumper on the market and it ties into the factory front sway bar mounts.

 

[pagrey]

Take things to the extreme and think about what keeps our ladder frames from racking.

Not an aluminum bumper, that's for sure. Bolt holes? That's a new one.

 

[jjvw]

Not an aluminum bumper, that's for sure. Bolt holes? That's a new one.

Seriously and seriously?

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

Barnes


https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-Stubby-Front-Bumper-_p_1212.html

 

[Irun]

I wouldn’t discredit one for having less mounting holes than the other. At what point are the extra holes needed? Are people folding bumpers due to not not having the 4 extra mounting holes that Savvy offers?

Although not aluminum, your PS bumper has a larger winch mounting surface. It also uses one, on each side, of the sway bar bolts.

 

[pagrey]

Seriously and seriously?

Ya, seriously. The four bolts on top of most winch plates and bumpers is just fine. In fact companies like Warn even say grade 6 (oops 5) is good enough. Those rear bolt holes are drilled so the bumper looks nice. They don't serve any structural purpose other than to allow the sway bar to be mounted. The idea that those small rear bolts contribute a any increase in strength to the rather large set in front of them is almost insulting. The standard winch plates don't need them. There are plenty of reasons to go with any bumper you want. There's no need to just make stuff up like, it's going to keep your frame from bending.

 

[JMT]

Warn Stubby

 

[JDS123]

I have heard of winch decks bending on metalcloak bumpers. I believe this was due to material choice and not necessarily the amount of bolts holding the bumper in. Savvy makes a damn good bumper, but I do not believe the average user will notice the difference between a savvy and a warn or other similar bumper.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Only the two front pairs of bumper mounting holes are structural and in the frame. The rest are not structural, or at least they're needed for a winch. Grade 5 bolts are fine for mounting a winch or bumper. I'd only go Grade 8 if they were also holding a tow hook.

 

[jjvw]

Only the two front pairs of bumper mounting holes are structural and in the frame. The rest are not structural, or at least they're needed for a winch. Grade 5 bolts are fine for mounting a winch or bumper. I'd only go Grade 8 if they were also holding a tow hook.

Why would Savvy include those 4 extra bolts in it's bumper design?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Why would Savvy include those 4 extra bolts in it's bumper design?

No idea. I do know from first-hand experience that if you try to tighten the rear bolts as tight as the front two pairs you will strip the bolt holes. That shows how strong they are, they are are little more than sheet metal screws. Based on my experience the rear bolt holes don't appear to have enough structural strength to be important to a winch.