Weight issue with aftermarket bumper?

[FlyJeep]

I'm considering getting an aftermarket front bumper for my 2017 Jeep Wrangler. It weights 133 pounds not counting a winch, will this cause my front end to sag or handle bad?

Are there any suspension concerns?

Thanks for any info


OB 2646

 

[DesertRat775]

I had my suspension already installed (heavy duty springs) when I added my steel front bumper on my JK. I'd imagine, if you're stock, it would compress your springs more than normal giving you a stiffer ride and less clearance off road. I'm sure this added weight to factory equipment will fail prematurely in the long run. I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination though.


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[boehml]

Will it cause sag? Highly likely depending on your springs/spring rate. If you want to know how much sag, find yourself someone who weighs 133lbs and have them sit on your bumper. However, generally speaking you could expect 1/2" of sag on stock springs. My AEV bumper weighs around the same and I experienced about 1/4" of sag on my teraflex coils, ended up putting a spacer in to correct it.

I noticed increased handling on my 14 JKU when I went from a lighter bumper to a heavy bumper, the Jeep felt more " planted. As far as premature suspension wear, bigger tires and offset wheels are more likely to affect this than anything.

 

[Virgil]

I haven't replaced my bumpers and most likely will not replace them due to the weight issue. I simply don't see the benefit of heavy steel bumpers. As an overland rig it is already packed full enough with overland upgrades and roof rack etc. Also I think in case of a collision I rather have the airbags go off as intended by factory vs. Maybe not at all or too late. I don't know if this is part of the design of steel bumpers but I can't really see how it would crush like the factory one. I trimmed my front bumper for clearance. A winch fits perfectly onto the frame in the front. My 2 cents for what it's worth.

 

[maktruk]

I haven't replaced my bumpers and most likely will not replace them due to the weight issue. I simply don't see the benefit of heavy steel bumpers. As an overland rig it is already packed full enough with overland upgrades and roof rack etc. Also I think in case of a collision I rather have the airbags go off as intended by factory vs. Maybe not at all or too late. I don't know if this is part of the design of steel bumpers but I can't really see how it would crush like the factory one. I trimmed my front bumper for clearance. A winch fits perfectly onto the frame in the front. My 2 cents for what it's worth.

Modern vehicles use accelerometers over impact sensors these days. Less sensitive, more accurate.

 

[Vyscera]

If you replace the bumper, and add a winch, you will probably want to replace your springs as well. If you're going to be off-road a lot you'll wear out your stock suspension and get that floating sway going down the road. I prefer steel bumpers for adventuring, but there is a trade off.

 

[FlyJeep]

I haven't replaced my bumpers and most likely will not replace them due to the weight issue. I simply don't see the benefit of heavy steel bumpers. As an overland rig it is already packed full enough with overland upgrades and roof rack etc. Also I think in case of a collision I rather have the airbags go off as intended by factory vs. Maybe not at all or too late. I don't know if this is part of the design of steel bumpers but I can't really see how it would crush like the factory one. I trimmed my front bumper for clearance. A winch fits perfectly onto the frame in the front. My 2 cents for what it's worth.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I should probably stick with the stock bumper to save about $900. Damn things are stupid expensive.

Virgil,
Do you have any heat issues with the winch blocking the radiator during the hot times of the year?

And since you bolted the winch to the stock bumper, it is strong enough when winching out?

Those were to of my main concerns keeping the stock bumper.

Nice rig by the way, I just ordered by Gobi rack on Christmas.

 

[Virgil]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I should probably stick with the stock bumper to save about $900. Damn things are stupid expensive.

Virgil,
Do you have any heat issues with the winch blocking the radiator during the hot times of the year?

And since you bolted the winch to the stock bumper, it is strong enough when winching out?

Those were to of my main concerns keeping the stock bumper.

Nice rig by the way, I just ordered by Gobi rack on Christmas.

Fly Jeep, the winch plate doesn't bolt to the bumper, it bolts straight to the frame. Just look for whinch plates for Jeeps, you will see how.

There is no issue with heat or airflow, never on trails crawling or on the highway driving. There is PLENTY of air getting in.

I like the weight savings and spend that kind of money on more useful things. The best part about these jeep bumpers is that there are TONS available for next to nothing on Craigslist / Kijiji (canada) or for free from all those people with aftermarket bumpers so if I ever damage mine so bad that I would actually mind, I would just pick up a "new" one.

 

[FlyJeep]

Thanks Virgil. Drinks are on me if we ever meet up, you probably have saved me a couple bucks!

 

[boehml]

Keep in mind the added protection that a steel or aluminum bumper adds. Protecting my radiator and engine compartment for that matter was the main reason I bought the AEV front bumper (which retains factory crush cans). While I agree weight savings are important, I commonly travel in areas with a heavy deer/moose population. Even a little slip off a wet or snowy trail into a tree or something could cause issues.

If I recall correctly the stock bumper is somewhere around 30lbs, ARB has a stubby bumper (pictured below) which offers great protection and weighs in at about 66lbs. If you do end up keeping the stock bumper and using a winch plate, I'd recommend trimming it because the sides will fold inwards and if that happens on the trail you'll likely need to cut them off anyhow. By the way, love the Jeep @Virgil!

 

[Virgil]

Keep in mind the added protection that a steel or aluminum bumper adds. Protecting my radiator and engine compartment for that matter was the main reason I bought the AEV front bumper (which retains factory crush cans). While I agree weight savings are important, I commonly travel in areas with a heavy deer/moose population. Even a little slip off a wet or snowy trail into a tree or something could cause issues.

If I recall correctly the stock bumper is somewhere around 30lbs, ARB has a stubby bumper (pictured below) which offers great protection and weighs in at about 66lbs. If you do end up keeping the stock bumper and using a winch plate, I'd recommend trimming it because the sides will fold inwards and if that happens on the trail you'll likely need to cut them off anyhow. By the way, love the Jeep @Virgil!

Agreed, it does give that extra protection for some smaller deer perhaps. Living on the east coast, deer and Moose are abundant, yet I have never hit one, so from a statistic perspective that chance is rather low. A moose will destroy your rig no matter what. My concern with bumpers was always that if you do hit something, and there is no give, that impact is transferred somewhere else in your rig, and I would rather have a crushed bumper than a bent or cracked frame. That ARB bumper does look nice! for me aftermarket bumpers on other rigs were just winch holders.

 

[boehml]

Agreed, it does give that extra protection for some smaller deer perhaps. Living on the east coast, deer and Moose are abundant, yet I have never hit one, so from a statistic perspective that chance is rather low. A moose will destroy your rig no matter what. My concern with bumpers was always that if you do hit something, and there is no give, that impact is transferred somewhere else in your rig, and I would rather have a crushed bumper than a bent or cracked frame. That ARB bumper does look nice! for me aftermarket bumpers on other rigs were just winch holders.

That's why retaining the factory crush cans are important in an aftermarket bumper (for low speeds anyhow). I do wonder how well my bumper would hold up to a 1000lbs moose though, haha.

 

[TOMB]

My winch bumper from Shrockworks totaled a Camry with only minimal damage to bumper. Bent a little at impact spot. Some touch up paint and good to go. Between front with winch and rear with tire carrier, definitely added more weight, but with lift installed I don't really notice it.


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[Kyle & Kari Frink]

@FlyJeep
I understand this is an older post but was browsing and noticed a lot of good conversation on here but from the experience of myself and friends who have items that are "excessive" in weightwieght on our rigs. I recommend like most have first going with a spring that has a higher linear load I.e. most aftermarket springs have around 150kg load rating. My family and I purchased Teraflex's outback coils cause they are rated for 300kg per spring. Secondly get coils that are preferably an inch higher than the desired "lift height" that you want even though most companies that make coils rated for heavier loads they "quote" that even with all the extra height the desired ride height will be maintained. This is not always true because some people go overboard with weight lol. Than thirdly the thing most don't consider is that with all the extra weight you are going to want to upgrade your bumpstops as well.

 

[Schlick-77]

Virgil - Are those cut factory fenders or are they aftermarket? The look great. Also, your bumper end caps - VDP or RC?

 

[Rexplorer]

I was going to stick with my stock bumper, but judging by the amount of trail damage its getting, a more armour and less plastic bumper is necessary. Will buy one and consider adding anither 90 pound winch later. It might sag a bit, but i have medium springs already, so hopefully not too much. Definately worth protecting the rad and other parts, even if it weighs more. Imo.

 

[Desert Runner]

I was going to stick with my stock bumper, but judging by the amount of trail damage its getting, a more armour and less plastic bumper is necessary. Will buy one and consider adding anither 90 pound winch later. It might sag a bit, but i have medium springs already, so hopefully not too much. Definately worth protecting the rad and other parts, even if it weighs more. Imo.

If your leaning towards a BULL BAR BUMPER....check total weight. They are not all created equal. Heavier does not mean stronger. The design of the winch pocket is more important.

ALSO....only a couple are airbag compatible. Something else....yes ELSE...is how many bolts are used in the bumper attachment boxes. 4 minimum to 6 a side.
I have heard of HD bumpers being torn off when a difficult recovery was attempted. The ARB is designed to meet this criteria.[emoji2]

AMAZON HAS GREAT reviews by owners. ,read the pros and cons of the different offerings. I wanted one for years, but finally pulled the trigger, after seeing so many animal strikes, and having to do too much night driving.

 

[Rexplorer]

If your leaning towards a BULL BAR BUMPER....check total weight. They are not all created equal. Heavier does not mean stronger. The design of the winch pocket is more important.

ALSO....only a couple are airbag compatible. Something else....yes ELSE...is how many bolts are used in the bumper attachment boxes. 4 minimum to 6 a side.
I have heard of HD bumpers being torn off when a difficult recovery was attempted. The ARB is designed to meet this criteria.[emoji2]

AMAZON HAS GREAT reviews by owners. ,read the pros and cons of the different offerings. I wanted one for years, but finally pulled the trigger, after seeing so many animal strikes, and having to do too much night driving.

No bull bar. Full bumper is my plan. Also, i think the airbag system on the fj does not use impact sensors, but a sensor that measures speed of de-celeration. So no aftermarket bumper really messes up the airbags. Thanks for the input. Ive seen lesser bumpers accidently damaged or totally torn off during a recovery. I sure dont want that. I will retain stock tow points and use those as much as possible for recovery. Plate bumper will definately add protection to the vulnerale parts like rad and ac condensor that the stock fj bumper barely covers. And add a few degrees to approach angle.

 

[Desert Runner]

No bull bar. Full bumper is my plan. Also, i think the airbag system on the fj does not use impact sensors, but a sensor that measures speed of de-celeration. So no aftermarket bumper really messes up the airbags. Thanks for the input. Ive seen lesser bumpers accidently damaged or totally torn off during a recovery. I sure dont want that. I will retain stock tow points and use those as much as possible for recovery. Plate bumper will definately add protection to the vulnerale parts like rad and ac condensor that the stock fj bumper barely covers. And add a few degrees to approach angle.

Ahhh...I think you mean/ want a full winch bull bar front bumper. Not one of those hooped center grill want " A-Bee's. That are more show than go, when comes to protection....(see my avatar photo). It is the ARB version.

When the cost of one of these is compared to replacing the OME parts and being back to square one. It just makes financial sense to upgrade. This is really a necessity if you live in wildlife dense areas, do night driving or traveling. I had a bunch of close calls.

When I had a project for my job in Michigan, there was a point west of Detroit on the interstate where I saw 22 dead deer on the sides of road in a 10 mile stretch. That was my incentive to protect my truck with some real protection. Out west it is still been a smaller concern, but a few close calls just emphasized the derision I took.

 

[Rexplorer]

Something like this. Its a kit from coastal offroad in bc canada . $600 cdn. Weld and finish it yourself. Well under 100 lbs. 76lbs without any of the tubes. Im just getting the centre hoop. Not a fan of evil eyes.

https://www.coastaloffroad.com/

Not my truck in the picture. Took it from the webpage.