Which WJ Bumper? ARB vs TrailReady vs LSR

[Jeff H]

I'm currently trying to figure out which bumper I should purchase. I like the ARB, TrailReady, and LSR Incline bumpers. I definitely want a winch bumper with solid tow points.

ARB

ARB's are common on these boards and is the least expensive out of the three but it also has the worst approach angle.



TrailReady

I havent found much on this bumper for WJs but they seem to be popular on ZJs.



LSR Incline

The most expensive of the bunch but also has the best clearance.

I don't plan on rock crawling per se (no rocks here anyway) but dont want the bumper to get hung up on every obstacle, either. Feel free to make some suggestions!

 

[MuckSavage]

I would base my opinion on which has the best connection to the subframe. This is what led me to purchase the Detours Backbone for my XJ. I didn't want or need the full effect of a fullsize bumper though.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I would base my opinion on which has the best connection to the subframe. This is what led me to purchase the Detours Backbone for my XJ. I didn't want or need the full effect of a fullsize bumper though.

This is how I'd choose too. It was between the detours and the logan's metal bumper for my XJ. I DID want a fullsize bumper and chose the latter for that reason. both have excellent mounting systems though, and both were very good values for the money...

As for your application and choices:

ARB's are not known for their out of the box tow shackle strength. XJmike just retrofitted his, though, with some tough mounts. Look for that thread.

personally, I like the looks and function of the trailready setup. very slick, and very stout.

cheers,
Brian

 

[K2ZJ]

That LSR is sick. I have seen it up close at GSW and it is very well thought out. You will pay for it though. As for clearance any of those will help with clearance, the plastic bumper hangs low on a WJ. If you are not into rock crawling I think any of them are fine choices.

 

[JChatary]

I'm certainly not into rock crawling, but me personally, I like the Trailready one. To me the ARB (as good as it looks) would look to be pretty heavy in itself before adding a winch.

I would definitely love to have a winch bumper on mine!

 

[OttawaXJ]

LSR is the only one that doesnt look like a kid with an underbite however it all depends on how it attaches to the unibody and how strong the bumper is itself.

 

[BIGdaddy]

LSR is the only one that doesnt look like a kid with an underbite however it all depends on how it attaches to the unibody and how strong the bumper is itself.

I try not to personify my rigs. Might make the decision easier for the OP.

:elkgrin:

 

[Root Moose]

If you are worried about weight there is also the winch bumper from Iceland Off-Road. I am making no recommendations, just mention it in case you were not aware of it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

If you are worried about weight there is also the winch bumper from Iceland Off-Road. I am making no recommendations, just mention it in case you were not aware of it.

yup, good point, man. Does anyone run those up near you?

 

[K2ZJ]

"Heavy duty mounting brackets laser cut from 4130 chromoly steel plate to ensure the bumper remains in place no matter the level of abuse."

http://www.csloffroad.com/jeepwjfrontwinchbumper-lsr.aspx

If you look it up on Jeep forum, I think, you can find his build thread if the first one. Then he modified the design to make it better. A freind was looking for a front bumper for his WJ and we researched them all. I met the builder once, but I don't have anything to do with this product. I know it is super stout and a great rock crawling bumper.

Icelandic offroad is also worth a look for what you need. Winch ready and light. I find to many rocks to make use of it.

I did see an ARB on a WJ bend this summer on Cliffhanger and damage the fender. He drives his rig HARD though.

 

[Jeff H]

If you are worried about weight there is also the winch bumper from Iceland Off-Road. I am making no recommendations, just mention it in case you were not aware of it.

I had given some thought about running the Iceland Offroad bumper and flares. They seem to be beefy enough to withstand the rocks so they'd definitely last here. I haven't seen any in person, though. I dont like out far the bumper sticks out from the fenders without the flares so I'd have to run the flares as well.


The Iceland Offroad Bumper/Flare Combo and the LSR Bumper are close to the same price. The LSR bumper definitely seems solid and Im sure is more than enough for what I'll use it for.

From reading up it seems like both the ARB and TR bumpers need some reinforcing to make them work well.

 

[Jeff H]

If you look it up on Jeep forum, I think, you can find his build thread if the first one. Then he modified the design to make it better. A freind was looking for a front bumper for his WJ and we researched them all. I met the builder once, but I don't have anything to do with this product. I know it is super stout and a great rock crawling bumper.

I read the build thread on Pirate4x4. Its definitely an awesome bumper and I considered building one similar to it. He definitely has a lot of work into the design of it.

 

[Root Moose]

yup, good point, man. Does anyone run those up near you?

Not that I'm aware of. I'm kind of on the fence about them at this point. I like the look, not sure about the amount of metal that needs to be cut off for the flares.

From reading up it seems like both the ARB and TR bumpers need some reinforcing to make them work well.

I'm normally a fan of the ARB bumpers but for some reason I just can't get past the look of it on the WJ. It's a nice bumper and it looks good but it doesn't wiggle my tail bone if you know what I mean.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Not that I'm aware of. I'm kind of on the fence about them at this point. I like the look, not sure about the amount of metal that needs to be cut off for the flares.



I'm normally a fan of the ARB bumpers but for some reason I just can't get past the look of it on the WJ. It's a nice bumper and it looks good but it doesn't wiggle my tail bone if you know what I mean.

:elkgrin:

 

[markr]

I like the Ice Land or LSR, watched the build of the LSR very nice build.
The decision would be the wieght you are willing to put up with, and if you have a lot of rocks although I think it would hold up on mild rock crawling.

I know a guy with a TR on a WJ and it bent the frame coming down on a rock, fairly soft hit and tweeked the frame horn, nothing terible just enough to make it look odd

ARB I just never liked