Which bumper for TJ?

[grahamfitter]

The stock front and rear bumpers of my TJ were bent in a collision this morning - I was stationary and was pushed from behind into another vehicle - so I'm looking into bumper options. As I see it they are:

1. Hammer the current bumpers out and spend the insurance money on something else;
2. Replace them with the same stock bumpers;
3. Replace them with heavy duty bumpers.

Most of the trails I find myself on are logging roads and so far I've never got myself stuck. Although that might be more from luck than judgment. I have a hi-lift jack which I can use as a winch with the stock tow hooks on the front and I was planning on bolting a tow hook to the frame at the back, just in case. If the bumpers weren't already bent I wouldn't consider replacing them.

So what to do?

My current preference is to get some HD bumpers that look understated enough that anybody who doesn't know different would think they're stock. (Warn?)

If it makes any difference, I'm just about to buy some new HD OME springs and shocks to handle the weight of the rack and kayak stuff. I have the stock 3.08 gearing and 31 inch tires. The Jeep has 166000 miles and I'm planning on keeping it for at least the next couple of years. After then learner driver number two will be claiming its "Hers" (or at least trying to.) And I live in the rusty North East.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Graham

 

[ujoint]

Here's one option, available in 42 or 50" widths:

Just add a fairlead mount & your winch!!

 

[kodiak1232003]

The stock front and rear bumpers of my TJ were bent in a collision this morning - I was stationary and was pushed from behind into another vehicle - so I'm looking into bumper options. As I see it they are:

1. Hammer the current bumpers out and spend the insurance money on something else;
2. Replace them with the same stock bumpers;
3. Replace them with heavy duty bumpers.

Most of the trails I find myself on are logging roads and so far I've never got myself stuck. Although that might be more from luck than judgment. I have a hi-lift jack which I can use as a winch with the stock tow hooks on the front and I was planning on bolting a tow hook to the frame at the back, just in case. If the bumpers weren't already bent I wouldn't consider replacing them.

So what to do?

My current preference is to get some HD bumpers that look understated enough that anybody who doesn't know different would think they're stock. (Warn?)

If it makes any difference, I'm just about to buy some new HD OME springs and shocks to handle the weight of the rack and kayak stuff. I have the stock 3.08 gearing and 31 inch tires. The Jeep has 166000 miles and I'm planning on keeping it for at least the next couple of years. After then learner driver number two will be claiming its "Hers" (or at least trying to.) And I live in the rusty North East.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Graham

i'd hammer em out...i like the way the stock ones look...i've got a stout rear tow point, two good front tow points, a winch mount ($70.00 milemarker) all with the stock bumpers...

my rule of thumb is to spend money on what my truck "doesn't have". if you can salvage them, then your truck "already has" bumpers. If it were were me, I'd figure out what my truck lacked as far as equipment and buy the best i could afford.

I.E. replace a set of worn out tires, get a "Real" rollcage built, finish my expediton roofrack, or stock up on some jerry/water cans and holders...

thats just me, though...

 

[robert j. yates]

For what you are doing...I agree with the suggestion to re-use or salvage some stock bumpers. Aftermarket bumpers are not cheap and you can better use that money for reg-gearing or a winch which will serve you far better than some bumpers. You might even look into some skids for your gas tank and steering box as another set of alternatives.

Also...on your rear tow hook....you need to make sure to sleeve the bolt holes for that tow hook or else you will buckle your frame. BTDT.

 

[goodtimes]

Yup, spend the money on something that you need. If you can't salvage them, you can probably pick up a very inexpensive set of OEM bumpers from someone who installed aftermarket bumpers. I gave mine away when I built my bumpers.

From the sounds of it, you don't *need* the aftermarket bumpers....

 

[maximumrob]

I'm also a fan of the stock tins that Jeep calls bumpers. They're light weight and cheap. Somebody is always taking them off because they spent $800 on an ARB, which will also get bent and rusted some day just like the stock units.
:coffeedrink:

 

[dennisuello]

Look around on local 4x4 sites and classifieds. In most cases you can get a straight set for free from someone who upgraded to aftermarket bumpers.

 

[Haggis]

Graham, I have a stock bumber off my '04 that's just collecting dust. If you can't find a bumper in your area shot me a PM and we'll work something out. Something to consider, the stock bumber is not that much of a guard against deer strikes, they tend to fly over it and take out the grille and radiator. That's the main reason I put my Smittybilt SRC on and after two deer strikes and my wife bumping a guardrail, there is still no damage to either my LJ or the Smittybilt. It was worth the money (around $280).

 

[grahamfitter]

Thanks, all - stock it is.

Believe it or not car insurance isn't a legal requirement in New Hampshire - which of course happened to be the case with the dummy who hit me.

I'm not sure yet how my insurance company handles these kinds of claims. I guess I'll be finding out...

Cheers,
Graham

p.s. Mark - PM shot.

 

[grahamfitter]

Also...on your rear tow hook....you need to make sure to sleeve the bolt holes for that tow hook or else you will buckle your frame. BTDT.

Thanks! By the way, what makes it buckle?

Cheers,
Graham