Bumper Indecision

[durango_60]

So here is my dilemna for the week(I must really be living the life if this is the biggest problem I have). Which bumper to choose for my new JK which should be here in a week or two. I have narrowed the selection down to either the Fab Fours or the AEV selection. Yes, I am fully aware of the fact that there are many more reasonably priced bumpers out there but high quality, retaining the factory crush cans, and an integrated between the rails winch mount are very important to me.

So here goes:

AEV Bumper

Pros:

• Styling, looks like it could be OEM, only better
• Stamped Steel, lightweight but still very strong
• will fit my warn 9.5ti that is in my garage

Cons:

• Not a local company
• requires a seperate skidplate to protect the swaybar disconnect motor

Fab Fours Bumper

Pros

• Strength
• Integrated 55w Hella Driving Lamps
• Local Company, very important to a guy in a small town who makes his living serving local companies

Cons

• Appearance is a little more pimpalicous than I usally go for
• I would need to sell my 9.5ti and purchase a different winch
• Probably much heavier

 

[Haggis]

Hey, durango, if it were my decision and my coin, I would go with the AVE bumper. Weight will be an issue with the 3.8 engine in the 4 door and having to buy a new winch adds additional pain to the wallet. Also I think the AVE has a more finished look and less of an add on look of the Fab Four.

 

[goodtimes]

Talk to the local guys and see if they can tone it down a bit for you...smooth the corners out, make accomidations for your winch, etc. They may be willing to do such things for a minimal price, especially when you tell them that you would rather support local business than go to what amounts to a mass produced bumper like AEV. The worst they can say is "no".

 

[durango_60]

Talk to the local guys and see if they can tone it down a bit for you...smooth the corners out, make accomidations for your winch, etc. They may be willing to do such things for a minimal price, especially when you tell them that you would rather support local business than go to what amounts to a mass produced bumper like AEV. The worst they can say is "no".

They are just like AEV when it comes to production. All they do locally is R&D and Distribution, all the production is farmed out. It is a pretty impressive operation, ~15 employees, 5000ft warehouse, and more large shipments than any other business in town going outbound. I thought I would be saving $ by going with the Fab Fours due to shipping expenses but I spoke with the AEV folks today and they said they would bring one to Moab next week for me. Right now I'm really leaning towards the AEV.

 

[Jenny Cruiser]

AEV :elkgrin:

 

[mountainpete]

Based on the two you presented, my top choice would easily be AEV. Not only is it one of the most visually appealing designs around, it's made by a very reputable company with stout products.

Pete

 

[mike h]

Gotta say I prefer the looks of the AEV - it has room for integrated lights as well, correct? Plus room for some bigger lights above the winch. (I like lights). The specs I'd want to know is weight and approach angle, although they look very similar. Many people buy overbuilt bumpers that are much heavier than needed - assuming you try to avoid hitting things, the AEV looks plenty strong. Being able to use the winch you have always helps, and you can drop more weight by swapping in a synthetic cable in the future.

m.

 

[xcmountain80]

SOOO AEV is looking good.

Aaron

 

[BigAl]

Both designs look too wide for my taste. There are no fenders to protect anymore. I'd look for a narrow design that would let your tire get on an obstacle easier. edit: I know I've seen a narrow JK bumper that looks stock somewhere, I just can't remember where

 

[durango_60]

Both designs look too wide for my taste. There are no fenders to protect anymore. I'd look for a narrow design that would let your tire get on an obstacle easier. edit: I know I've seen a narrow JK bumper that looks stock somewhere, I just can't remember where

I understand your perspective, but this is going to be my dd and I live in a heavy deer collision area, I think I would rather hit something with my bumper rather than my tire first. If this was going to be a dedicated rock crawler I would certainly go with a stubby like the Shrockworks design but I don't think it would be prudent for 99% of my usage.

 

[durango_60]

Looks like I'm certainly going AEV, it's the one I've wanted all along but I was trying to talk myself into liking the local one for other reasons. I'm going to give AEV a call and have them bring one to Moab next week so I can pick it up.:bike_rider:

 

[kcowyo]

I'd go with the Fab Four. Gotta support your local businesses, right? Sell the winch, you won't need it.

You need to up your Pimpalicious Factor anyway.

 

[durango_60]

The Waffle Man

Well I ordered the AEV bumper, but quickly grew tired of losing sleep over purchasing a $1600 bumper!!! So I reviewed my options again and went a completely different direction by ordering this beauty:

It's not the full width that I had decided I was looking for, but it's gonna be awesome in the rocks! Not to mention the $1000 I'm saving can be put to many other good uses, I'm thinking an onboard air system it next.

 

[BigAl]

That looks nice:clapsmile

 

[toyrunner95]

why did you narrow it down to those? what about ARB they are nice, i just put one on my buddys wrangler.