Any disadvantages to stubby bumpers?

[LumixLab]

My 2020 Gladiator has the Jeep steel bumper with the removable wings. I've heard the wings are 7lbs a piece so an advantage to removing them could be a loss of around 14lbs. I'm curious if anyone has any experiance with a disadvantage to using a stubby bumper.

 

[Boostpowered]

Probably no disadvantage till you hit something with your fender. The advantage i could see would be your tires will hit a obstacle like a rock or log before the bumper wings could hang up on it, better approach angle basically. If they are advertised as removable that what I'd think they are for to gain better offroad clearance. I may be wrong though I don't own a jeep.

 

[Downs]

Less protection of the body. But better approach angle for your tires.

 

[socal66]

In some countries they are not road legal. This includes Canada although it appears that regulation is rarely enforced there. Other countries such as Australia are more vigilant in enforcement.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Never heard of the illegal stubby bumpers in Canada. Even the zr2 has stubbys really. The full wheel is exposed...same as a JK would be.

 

[Trail_pilot]

Also never heard of stubby bumpers being illigal. There is nothing written in the Ontario Highway traffic act that states anything about it. Fender coverage yes, which the wording is very unclear and basically leaves it up to officers discretion, and lift and tire sizes in Quebec and BC o believe but never heard about stubby bumpers being an issue.

 

[LostWoods]

You aren't weighing a 3/16" plate bumper here so I can guarantee anything that would damage the truck by hitting a tire would not give a crap if there's some sheet metal in the way first. Might reduce the hit a little at the cost of a $900 bumper and damage to your frame horns though.

Jeeps are a unique beast in that the fenders aren't structural and the critical parts are all within the core. Most need wide bumpers because damaged fenders mean broken headlights and often, makeshift body work to get home. If you damage a fender, it's 4 bolts and pull and the whole thing comes off.

So I say take them off and if you want protection, get a bull bar from Maximus-3 that will offer more protection for the things that matter.

 

[socal66]

Also never heard of stubby bumpers being illigal. There is nothing written in the Ontario Highway traffic act that states anything about it. Fender coverage yes, which the wording is very unclear and basically leaves it up to officers discretion, and lift and tire sizes in Quebec and BC o believe but never heard about stubby bumpers being an issue.

You're right it looks like I'm referring to a law that has long since changed. In prior versions they required a bumper that measured the full width of the wheel placement. After some Googling I see that they now don't require full length bumpers as long as your fenders cover most of your tires. I guess this would make sense now as most new cars really don't have bumpers but rather front bodywork that provides coverage out to the tires.

 

[Kent R]

Not a bad idea to have remove the wing especially if you go to 37" Tires go help the breakover angle.

 

[Trail_pilot]

You're right it looks like I'm referring to a law that has long since changed. In prior versions they required a bumper that measured the full width of the wheel placement. After some Googling I see that they now don't require full length bumpers as long as your fenders cover most of your tires. I guess this would make sense now as most new cars really don't have bumpers but rather front bodywork that provides coverage out to the tires.

I worked at an off-road shop for about 8 years and got asked what was legal and what wasn't alot. The general manager's wife was a police officer so he pretty much had the highway traffic act memorized and I was well on my way lol. He drove a 90... Something jeep yj that was comp cut, stretched, tons, 40s, coilovers, full cage and harness. As long as he plugged his mud flaps into his hitch before he left the driveway he was good for the street lol. The black YJ is his and the red LJ is mine lol.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

I never liked the look of them, however, I do like the new rugged ridge acros bumper. It also looks like it works with my front receiver hitch with minor fuss. Best part, I am a dealer for them now, so I only pay my cost for it. Not the best parts in the world but hey, I like reduced prices of them.

 

[Trail_pilot]

I never liked the look of them, however, I do like the new rugged ridge acros bumper. It also looks like it works with my front receiver hitch with minor fuss. Best part, I am a dealer for them now, so I only pay my cost for it. Not the best parts in the world but hey, I like reduced prices of them.

Their product quality seems to have gotten better since they were bought out by Truck Hero but their customer service went way down hill lol

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Thing is now, I am a dealer for them, So I am my own customer service, if I have issues, I got back to my supplier...he deals with truck hero.

 

[Trail_pilot]

Thing is now, I am a dealer for them, So I am my own customer service, if I have issues, I got back to my supplier...he deals with truck hero.

We used to order direct from omix-ada ( mother company of rugged ridge, alloy USA, outland, and probly some other ones I forgot lol). Trying to deal with them was a pain.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Disadvantages? None.

 

[USStrongman]

My 2020 Gladiator has the Jeep steel bumper with the removable wings. I've heard the wings are 7lbs a piece so an advantage to removing them could be a loss of around 14lbs. I'm curious if anyone has any experiance with a disadvantage to using a stubby bumper.

14lbs is less than 2 gallons of gas. Not particularly noteworthy.

The benefits are about the same as the cons.
Cons: More dirt, mud and gravel travel around the outside of the vehicle.
Pros: Greater articulation at full turn with 37" and up tires. Easier access for adjustable shocks, cleaning, removing said mud.

I run full fenders and AEV bumpers on my JKU just to keep mud and gravel contained instead of spraying the sides of my vehicle and tearing them up.

 

[Dilldog]

I did essentially this on my TJ and my old Isuzu pickup, it does help when climbing up onto an obstacle and I think it just looks cool. Just be aware that there are laws on the books in many places about how much of a tire must be covered by body work, mud flaps or a bumper to minimize road spray in the case of rears, and pedestrian safety in the case of fronts. I always say be aware of this stuff just in case you get a fix it ticket so you have a quick and easy way to deal with it.

 

[USStrongman]

View attachment 183960
Disadvantages? None.

Until someone pulls out in front of you and the tire makes impact with their vehicle... suspension woes.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Until someone pulls out in front of you and the tire makes impact with their vehicle... suspension woes.

Bumpers don't possess any magical qualities. An impact hard enough to do meaningful damage to suspension components won't be averted by a bumper, unless we are talking about some massive unit fabbed specifically for that purpose, which (A) is not what the OP asked about, and (B) I wouldn't hang on the front of my truck.

 

[LostWoods]

Bumpers don't possess any magical qualities. An impact hard enough to do meaningful damage to suspension components won't be averted by a bumper, unless we are talking about some massive unit fabbed specifically for that purpose, which (A) is not what the OP asked about, and (B) I wouldn't hang on the front of my truck.

Exactly. This isn't a conversation about a plate bumper, it's about the stamped steel stock bumper. If we're talking 3/16" steel wings this is a different conversation that is not relevant here.