Which WJ Bumper? ARB vs TrailReady vs LSR

[theksmith]

i like iceland and LSR, but would go LSR due to the fact that it has integrated "radiator support" protection, which is a very weak and vulnerable area on our WJ's... the iceland leaves this area unprotected.

LSR:

Iceland Offroad (faintly you can see the radiator support below the bumper):

and why do you care? well, when you bend that radiator support and pop loose the plastic sides of your radiator and it starts leaking, be prepared for a big bill or a long day, the radiator doesn't just pop out: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/wj-radiator-replacement-write-up-w-pics-530365/

 

[K2ZJ]

and why do you care? well, when you bend that radiator support and pop loose the plastic sides of your radiator and it starts leaking, be prepared for a big bill or a long day, the radiator doesn't just pop out: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/wj-radiator-replacement-write-up-w-pics-530365/

LOL, I was on Elephant Hill in Canyonlands when I scraped my radiator support. 100' later, there was a loud boom followed by watersteam spraying everywhere, I found I had stressed the radiator and the side tank blew off! :Wow1: Not fun. I now own a Kevins radiator support. I have smacked it hard and am very glad to have upgraded.

 

[Jeff H]

i like iceland and LSR, but would go LSR due to the fact that it has integrated "radiator support" protection, which is a very weak and vulnerable area on our WJ's... the iceland leaves this area unprotected.

That is a very good point. I think the LSR bumper is winning thus far. It looks the best of them all to me and offers the best protection.

 

[Root Moose]

Wow, that radiator setup is pretty dumb/vulnerable. Thanks for pointing that out.

Looks like the ARB has that exposed in the picture at the top of the thread also.

I guess you could make a guard for it but then that negates the point of going with the Iceland bumper if the main criteria was relative weight savings.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Isn't there a rad support/reinforcement add-on for WJ's?

I still prefer the Iceland option for the weight savings...:snorkel:

 

[Root Moose]

Yeah, I'm still pretty much sold on the Iceland stuff too.

 

[theksmith]

Isn't there a rad support/reinforcement add-on for WJ's?

not that i know of

this is what a friend did for me to help distribute the force of light impacts: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5129&postcount=142

it has worked so far - a couple of times, i have come down gently on a rock that would have previously trashed the area and didn't. however, it isn't going to hold up to a big hit from real rock crawling mishaps.

all depends on what you are doing with your WJ, for some, a solution like above might be all that is needed.

 

[Jeff H]

not that i know of

this is what a friend did for me to help distribute the force of light impacts: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5129&postcount=142

it has worked so far - a couple of times, i have come down gently on a rock that would have previously trashed the area and didn't. however, it isn't going to hold up to a big hit from real rock crawling mishaps.

all depends on what you are doing with your WJ, for some, a solution like above might be all that is needed.

I could probably fab up something along those lines to reinforce the radiator support area if I went with the Iceland bumper. We definitely don't have much for rocks around here and if I went anywhere I would have to drive it back so I wouldn't push too hard. Thanks for bringing that up! BTW, what thickness steel did you use to reinforce it?

 

[00greenwj]

I've had my ARB on my WJ for about 6 years and have no complaints. It really doesn’t weigh all that much, I could curl it with one arm before I installed it. Strength wise it didn't even get a scratch on it when I tagged a deer doing 60mph and it had its fair share of rock hits over the years w/ only some rash to the powder coat. The radiator is exposed, but I been thinking about putting a KOR rad support on for more protection. My rubber bumperets didn't last long in the rocks and I think it looks better w/o them anyway. Hope this helps in making your decision.

 

[gprsdlyt]

ive had my arb for almost 4 years. at the time it was about the only well built option. i like the high clearance stuff, but not for my dub. ill leave the high clearance stuff for my xj on 38.5's. plus the arb has headlight/grille protection. as for weight, mounting it might required another set of hands or a stand of some kind while you line up bolt holes. i like mine, it works well.

 

[fasteddy47]

I went with ProtoFab's both front and rear. Was in Arizona on Bizz a few weeks back so I rented a car and drove up to visit them in Dewey.

Mike and his son are stand up guys...the stuff they crank out is first class. Welds and bends are like artwork. Mine are ordered and should arrive on the Wet Coast here any day now. I will post some pic's once they are on.

 

[wjeeper]

Having had a WJ I will echo what others have said:whatever bumper you go make sure it has some radiator prodetction:

I wheeled my WJ a bit before the lift and didn't realize the beating that lower radiator support was taking under the plastic bumper untill it was too late........the plastic was only scratched a little bit:

This damage was under the stock bumper cover when I was left stranded far from a parts store......yes my jeep is frowning (pic is from much later, ignore the aborted/ half built steel bumper)

If you hit it hard enough the radiator pushes up into the hood and its goodnight radiator.............dont ask me how I know.........stupid rock crawling:ar15:

One idea I had to get that radiator up and out of the way (if you have a 4.0 like I did, the v8 might not have room) would be to lean the radiator towards the motor at the top, trim the upper radiator hose and raise the radiator several inches. I got rid of my WJ before I went this route..................real heeps have frames anyways:elkgrin:

 

[wjeeper]

BTW aesthetically I would choose the Iceland Off-road (with custom radiator support) trailready or the LSR bumper.........the road armor bumpers and protofab bumpers make the front end look like the hull of a boat (due to the radiator guard)......and the ARB sticks out so far you could park next to a lake and use it as a diving board!

(this post may or may not have been made under the influence of vodka, and all opinions should be taken with a grain of biased salt:victory: )

 

[wjeeper]

Another option for ya.......http://www.kenmtnac.com/WiWJ.html

Just order it without the awful looking tube work/ brush gaurd and I think they look ok.......but do your research, in the past I have heard that they have some fitment issues right out of the box..........

 

[JChatary]

BTW aesthetically I would choose the Iceland Off-road (with custom radiator support) trailready or the LSR bumper.........the road armor bumpers and protofab bumpers make the front end look like the hull of a boat (due to the radiator guard)......and the ARB sticks out so far you could park next to a lake and use it as a diving board!

(this post may or may not have been made under the influence of vodka, and all opinions should be taken with a grain of biased salt:victory: )

Someone had already mentioned if you buy the Iceland Offroad bumper, it sticks so far out the sides, it's practically mandatory you get the fender flares as well.