Looking at bumpers

[emedlin]

I am trying to find a front bumper that would look similar to the one that is on the rear. The rear bummper looks like the "Jeep Licensed by RedRock Trail Force HD Rear Bumper." I know they make one for the front also. But, I don't really care it if says Jeep. The "Barricade Trail Force HD Front Bumper" looks like the same one without the Jeep logo. I have read some having issues with the coating chipping off and rusting with the Barricade brand. Is the Jeep Licensed by RedRock any better? Is there a better brand that looks the same? If it did start to chip or rust in a few years would having it repowder coated or Line-X'ed be an acceptable way to fix it. I live in South Carolina, so rust isn't normally a problem, so maybe it doesn't even matter.

And while asking about bumpers has anyone ever seen this? The rear bumper is actually touching the body, but the carfax doesn't say it was ever hit in the rear. I am thinking about just spacing it out with some longer bolts and washers.

 

[JMT]

I am trying to find a front bumper that would look similar to the one that is on the rear. The rear bummper looks like the "Jeep Licensed by RedRock Trail Force HD Rear Bumper." I know they make one for the front also. But, I don't really care it if says Jeep. The "Barricade Trail Force HD Front Bumper" looks like the same one without the Jeep logo. I have read some having issues with the coating chipping off and rusting with the Barricade brand. Is the Jeep Licensed by RedRock any better? Is there a better brand that looks the same? If it did start to chip or rust in a few years would having it repowder coated or Line-X'ed be an acceptable way to fix it. I live in South Carolina, so rust isn't normally a problem, so maybe it doesn't even matter.

And while asking about bumpers has anyone ever seen this? The rear bumper is actually touching the body, but the carfax doesn't say it was ever hit in the rear. I am thinking about just spacing it out with some longer bolts and washers.

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That bumper is designed to hide the butt crack from a body lift, and you don’t have a body lift, so it’s up on the body.

 

[emedlin]

That bumper is designed to hide the butt crack from a body lift, and you don’t have a body lift, so it’s up on the body.

I hadn't thought of that. That would explain it. Guess the previous owner just didn't know what they were doing and tightened it down into the body, when they should have order the correct bumper.

Although, I just found

, which I believe is the same bumper, and they don't mention a body lift. And, you can see it doesn't touch the body. I also don't see where extremeterrians website mentions there being two version, one for a body lift and one withouth.

 

[jjvw]

I hadn't thought of that. That would explain it. Guess the previous owner just didn't know what they were doing and tightened it down into the body, when they should have order the correct bumper.

Although, I just found

, which I believe is the same bumper, and they don't mention a body lift. And, you can see it doesn't touch the body. I also don't see where extremeterrians website mentions there being two version, one for a body lift and one withouth.

Your bumper seems to be in the strange world of one size fits all and fits nothing well.

 

[JMT]

I hadn't thought of that. That would explain it. Guess the previous owner just didn't know what they were doing and tightened it down into the body, when they should have order the correct bumper.

Although, I just found

, which I believe is the same bumper, and they don't mention a body lift. And, you can see it doesn't touch the body. I also don't see where extremeterrians website mentions there being two version, one for a body lift and one withouth.

I am basing my statement on what I saw years ago on the forum where people got a body lift and hated the but crack and bought this bumper to cover it. I don’t know that it was advertised to fulfill that function. Perhaps the bumper is made in China like most of them and the quality is low so there inadequately fit. There are small differences among TJ’s that are unpredictable too. You could put a spacer between the rear crossmember and mounting points of the bumper to move it away from the tub.

 

[WestCoastDan]

Good looking rear bumper, but I would space it out about 1/2", so that if anyone ever bumps it with more than a shopping cart, it won't damage the tub or paint.

 

[jjvw]

Good looking rear bumper, but I would space it out about 1/2", so that if anyone ever bumps it with more than a shopping cart, it won't damage the tub or paint.

This is getting into the practical territory of needing low profile bumpers and corner armor

 

[emedlin]

I guess the rear bumper is just poor fitment for some reason. When I take it off in a month or so I will double check that nothing is bent.

Now for the front bumper. Any thoughts on the Barricade brand vs the Jeep Licensed by RedRock? They look the same except for the Jeep logo.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/barricade-front-bumper-j20851.html
https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep-wrangler-trail-force-hd-front-bumper-jeep-logo-j157743.html

From the pictures it does look like the finishes it thicker or rougher on the RedRock.

 

[Tob]

Yes, they are the same exact low-quality junk. You will find dozens and dozens of the same exact design under different brand names, all with thin gauge metal, poor looks, and a coating so bad it will rust before you can say

Overall poor choice. Many moons ago I ordered one for my previous TJ and returned it on sight because it was that bad.

 

[emedlin]

Overall poor choice. Many moons ago I ordered one for my previous TJ and returned it on sight because it was that bad.

Know of a better one for around the same price and would match the rear one. I guess worst case if it starts to rust I just have it sprayed again.

 

[Tob]

Warn bumpers are a popular choice for quality, strength, and looks. There are lots of good options that may not quite match the style of the rear or fit your use case.

 

[emedlin]

Warn bumpers are a popular choice for quality, strength, and looks. There are lots of good options that may not quite match the style of the rear or fit your use case.

Not really big on the looks for Warn bumper for the TJ. I did find LOD and I like it. It even look similar to the current rear bummper. Although with the winch mount and black texture it is $754. Not sure if I want to spend over double the price. Seems like I could buy the cheaper one and line-x if it starts to rust. Still looking around though.

Strength isn't much of an issue. This is for a highschool kid that isn't doing any serious off roading.

 

[AndyG]

That bumper is designed to hide the butt crack from a body lift, and you don’t have a body lift, so it’s up on the body.

We haven’t seen the word butt crack used a lot on here lately. I think we need more of that.

 

[Tob]

Not really big on the looks for Warn bumper for the TJ. I did find LOD and I like it. It even look similar to the current rear bummper. Although with the winch mount and black texture it is $754. Not sure if I want to spend over double the price. Seems like I could buy the cheaper one and line-x if it starts to rust. Still looking around though.

Strength isn't much of an issue. This is for a highschool kid that isn't doing any serious off roading.

LoD stuff is high quality but expensive and heavy. Nothing wrong with the stock bumper with a winch plate to accommodate a winch. You can cut it down as well. Lightweight, easy, cheap, looks good.

 

[AndyG]

LoD stuff is high quality but expensive and heavy. Nothing wrong with the stock bumper with a winch plate to accommodate a winch. You can cut it down as well. Lightweight, easy, cheap, looks good.

I cut mine -

 

[taylormade73]

Not really big on the looks for Warn bumper for the TJ. I did find LOD and I like it. It even look similar to the current rear bummper. Although with the winch mount and black texture it is $754. Not sure if I want to spend over double the price. Seems like I could buy the cheaper one and line-x if it starts to rust. Still looking around though.

Strength isn't much of an issue. This is for a highschool kid that isn't doing any serious off roading.

I have a used LOD front bumper I’m taking off my newest LJR that I plan on selling.

 

[LONGJP2]

Strength isn't much of an issue. This is for a highschool kid that isn't doing any serious off roading.

It's been my experience that every high school kid gets in a fender bender.
A heavy-duty bumper might save the Jeep.

 

[emedlin]

I have a used LOD front bumper I’m taking off my newest LJR that I plan on selling.

I actually like that LOD bumper better than the ones they have on their site now. I can't send any PM's yet as I don't have enough posts. But, if you can PM me a price I can think about it.

After doing a lot of reading about bumpers it seems most brands rust it is just a matter of how long till they do. Then it seems like the thing to do is to Line-X it. So, maybe cheap Barricade to match the rear and just Line-X at first sign of rust is the way to go. I do see where some of the stronger, lighter, rock crawler bumpers would be better for more extreme off roading. But, that just isn't this Jeep's use case right now.

 

[emedlin]

Might just get the Smittybilt XRC. It has lifetime structural warranty, and a 5-year finish warranty and is 3/16 steel instead of 5/32 like most of the other cheaper bumpers. It sounds more like a middle ground based on the spec, price, and warranty.

 

[JMT]

We haven’t seen the word butt crack used a lot on here lately. I think we need more of that.

Butt Crack