Opinions on bumper width

[just eric]

What are your thought on bumper width for a purpose built JK that will see a good deal of forest roads, some rocks, and general Pacific Northwest trail duty? I'm trying to keep weight down but not at the expense of functionality. Here are the options.

Options are stubby, mid-width, and full width. I've attached a few examples below:

Stubby:


Midwidth:


Full width:

 

[Bigjerm]

I vote stubby or mid-width. But I do a lot more of the rocks and the bumper just gets in the way. I have the stock bumper on my LJ, just cut way down. I still bent the end of it not long ago and now I need to just finish cutting it.

 

[88Xj]

I agree it depends! Honest if your in the rocks here & there, then maybe a mid width. That was my vote at least! Personally I would do a full width no matter what! A aftermarket bumper being 3/16 & 1/4" I wouldn't worry much about it..if anything it would help slide you over rocks...& your whole front end would be protected (depending on the bumper of course) and that would keep you safer in a wreck.

 

[just eric]

I'm definitely a fan of the stubby. It just looks right on a jeep. Not to mention ARB has a stubby set to release in the next few months :victory:

However, when watching the Camel Trophy videos I can't help but think the wider bumpers would save you from some body damage in a number of situations. Here in the PNW I have slid sideways on a muddy slope and into the hillside before. Granted, sliders do wonders to keep your sheet metal from contacting things but the bumper wings would likely add to my protection. Just can't decide if it's worth the extra weight and less desirable look.

 

[Septu]

Personally am a fan of the full width, or mid width. If I could find tube fenders I like that would go with a full width, I'd do that. Otherwise will probably get a mid width. But it's all a matter of personal choice, and what you're using the jeep for.

 

[Recce01]

Rock the Poison Spyder Rock Brawler, it is an awesome bumper. Lots of guys I know have them, and they are perfect!

 

[TreeTopFlyer]

With the deer around here, I need as much as I can get. Went with an AEV. Hard to beat how well it fits with the OEM fenders.

 

[Hawkz]

I have a stubby on my TJ, but I like that mid-width you have listed.

 

[Maine07jk]

Stubby. Best approach angle!

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Depends on what your doing.

For what you describe, I would go full width.

I have an ARB on my TJ, and it has it's advantages, like when I rolled it over, it saved a whole lot of front end damage!

Only disadvantage to full width, is getting the tire up on a big rock or ledge, but that's generally more rock crawling than FS roads.

 

[X-plorenow]

i am not sure I would have picked your full width selection based on my personal preference. But overall I think that the selection should be stumpy or full width. I like stumpy for weight and full width for protection. Not sure the value of a mid width bumper. And as everyone mentioned, as always, it depends.

 

[mrchips]

I have a Rokmen Mercenary bumper, (stubby) on my Jeep, would highly recommend this product, well built and strong. I even tow it from the front shackles.

 

[just eric]

I pretty much just put that full-width bumper on there as an example. If I were gonna go full-width (which I highly doubt) I would go ARB or AEV. AS for the mid width, I figured it may give additional protection to the front sheet metal in the event of a rollover or lean over. I still like the look of the stubby myself. Just not sure about side impacts from the front at 45 degree angles... if that makes sense.

 

[just eric]

I have a Rokmen Mercenary bumper, (stubby) on my Jeep, would highly recommend this product, well built and strong. I even tow it from the front shackles.

Those welds are perty :Wow1:

 

[Bigjerm]

Personally I would do a full width no matter what! A aftermarket bumper being 3/16 & 1/4" I wouldn't worry much about it..if anything it would help slide you over rocks...

This for sure would not happen. I have seen plenty of time and had it happen first hand. When the weight of the Jeep is on that piece of steel and its sitting on a rock... all you do is plow. There is no slide or pick up, you just sit and turn tires.