How important is a replacement bumper?

[dropframe]

Not to really get stuck on brands, but if you were going on a RTW trip, how important would you rank replacement bumpers? I actually see the benefit and need for a different rear bumper. The tire carrier and jerry can holders would be really nice.

My thought is directed more towards the front? I see pictures of 80's that have been in fender benders. The after market front bumpers get scrapped up, rusted, and dented just like any other bumper from what I see. A front bumper that can hold a winch is around $1200 plus installation - why wouldn't you just keep the stock bumper and add on a cheaper brush bar?

Do you need an after market bumper if you want a winch? If you wanted extra lights couldn't you just have them mounted on a roof rack?

I searched round on this site on this topic. Not much really being said. I do need a new front bumper. Mine stock bumper is dented and beat up so that is why I am thinking about this. I am getting ready to stop the rust and work on the body of this truck. I am working on my wish list of what I am working towards. An ARB bumper was a no brainer, but as I was looking at uses and numbers, I was just wondering if it was worth it.

After market bumpers do seem much tougher and stronger, but from looking at LC's in fender benders they don't seem to be the heavy unbreakable death rams that they look like....Any thoughts? am I thinking about it the wrong way?

 

[roscoFJ73]

they don't seem to be the heavy unbreakable death rams that they look like....Any thoughts? am I thinking about it the wrong way?

They are not meant to be battering rams. The bullbar/bumper has to crumple to some degree or the chassis will bend. Its up to you to decide if you need one.
I wouldnt leave home without a bullbar as there are cattle ,kangaroos,camels and all sorts of wildilfe wandering around on roads here.
Protecting the radiator is all important for me.
Its hard to appreciate just how much damage a good bullbar can deflect. A small animal can easily take out the grill ,headlights and radiator.A large animal can destroy the whole front of the car.

Winching puts enormous pressure on its mountings.If you dont have proper platform for it,it will find the next weakest point.

If you going to get something for frontal protection,get quality. Brush bars are good for brush.
There is a lot of crap out there designed for looks only (think jeep) and it just gives people a false sense of security

 

[Hill Bill E.]

There is a lot of crap out there designed for looks only (think jeep) and it just gives people a false sense of security

Ouch! :snorkel: My TJ has an ARB on the front.:coffeedrink:

rosco makes some great points. Not all bumpers are created equal, and having a proper winch mount is important.

Having some dents in the front won't end your trip, loosing the radiator and or both headlights, will surely put a damper on things.

 

[dropframe]

Is getting in an accident with a car / large animal more likely to twist up the frame with a big old bull bar or a stock fender / brush guard?

 

[Sloan]

The light turned red and I started t turn left when I realized that the car coming toward me wasn't stopping. I stopped and stated honking but he was texting and never saw me until the crash. Completely totaled his car, shifted the entire driver's side back about 3-4 inches. As you can see it just scuffed the finish on the ARB bar.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Is getting in an accident with a car / large animal more likely to twist up the frame with a big old bull bar or a stock fender / brush guard?

If you dont have a bulbar,a big animal will total the vehicle for sure. Whether the frame will be damaged is academic. The original bullbars were to there force the animal down and stop it coming over the bonnet and through the windscreen.They were tilted forward to help accomplish this ,but now days those types are illegal,but the vertical bullbars are still better than nothing.
Lessening the damage to the vehicle is the icing on the cake