HELP...Which Front bumper to Buy [Archive] - NAXJA Forums -::- North American XJ Association

Trbocharg

August 26th, 2005, 14:23

I recently returned from a trip out west in my 97XJ and due to a few real scares I realize the importance for a capable front winch bumper and winch when traveling off road alone with just my old lady by my side.(My girlfriend did not like the almighty Hi-jack and the 3 hrs it would take me to find every rock around for placement under my sunken tires..)But i will say that thing saved my life...
I curently have a A NAtes 4x4 front bumper that i bought off of ebay... Its a strong and well made bumper but I really need a winch.
Ive been reasearching for about 2 weeks and the best looking choices so far have been-
Warn Rock Crawler $555
TJM Front Bull Bar $575
ARB xj winch Bull BAR $720
NAtes (New winch Bumper) $300 www.nates4x4.com
Please help me out... which is the best? are there any other good ones?

Kejtar

August 26th, 2005, 14:28

Loose Nuts (http://www.loose-nuts-enterprises.com/) It's got a gear approach angle, very sturdy and well built.

Trbocharg

August 26th, 2005, 14:38

I forgot to mention that i would really like to stick with a wrap around bumper...im only running 31 inch tires and plan to stay at this size.

C.diesel

August 26th, 2005, 14:48

I see it is your first post, so welcome. However, one thing that you should learn fast is that the search feature is going to be your best tool on this board to quickly find the answers to the common (and sometimes, not so common questions). Usually at least one other person and most of the time, many others have asked the questions that you are going to have.

For now try these links...

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=46713&highlight=front+bumpers

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=59454&highlight=front+bumpers

You can find a ton of info by searching for the words "winch front bumper"

You may also want to consider...

http://www.tntcustoms.com/webv2/default.asp#

I just ordered mine from TNT last week. I had a chance to talk to Bob (the owner) in depth while at ColoradoFest this year and he will go out of his way to try and help you get what you need for a good price. Hell of a nice guy too.

Trbocharg

August 26th, 2005, 14:55

C.diesel thanks for all that info ...ive done some searches and really have not been able to find what im looking for... I like the bumper at tntcustoms, it reminds me alot of the Four real bumper.. (i am just a little woried about blocking that much air flow into the radiator)... what are your thoughts on that?

C.diesel

August 26th, 2005, 15:03

Part of that would depend on what winch you end up with. However, I don't see it being a serious problem. I think that the pictures on the site are a little deceptive. From the angle that they were taken it makes the coverage of the grill look a little more than it actually is in person.

SharkXJ

August 26th, 2005, 15:07

Warn.....

Trbocharg

August 26th, 2005, 15:12

I noticed a difference in temp when i mounted two 6 inch hellas on my current bumper, i can only imagine what a warn M9000 winch sitting dead on would cause...I just dont want to add any worries.. plus this is my daily driver and i drive from florida to utah for my vacations... Its a long drive.. keeping the engine cool is real important.. Thats why i really liked about the ARB... good airflow.

steveareno

August 26th, 2005, 17:23

Just installed Ridgid winch bumper. I run 31"s. I like it alot. Installed Ramsey 8.5 winch - you can also install Warn for more. Check with Terry at Ridgid about the strength and mounting of the bumper. Pictures have been posted on the web and look @ http://www.rigidco.com/

Fullsizexj

August 26th, 2005, 18:40

Hansen Enterprises makes a really great bumper and it wraps around
http://www.fullsizexjgear.com/Hansen%20Enterprises/XJ%20pics/XJ_FRT_Basic_angle-(Small).gif

Root Moose

August 26th, 2005, 18:43

Warn.....
I have an ARB now. Bought it for the grille protection (deer/moose karma).

If I had my time over again I'd probably look real hard at the Warn.

Not familiar with any others with grille protection.

Fullsizexj

August 26th, 2005, 19:01

Hansen offers grill protection 3 different ways
http://www.fullsizexjgear.com/Hansen%20Enterprises/XJ%20pics/XJ_FRT_WINCHBAR-(Small).jpeg
http://www.fullsizexjgear.com/Hansen%20Enterprises/XJ%20pics/XJ_FRT_PrerunnerHoopandBars.jpeg
http://www.fullsizexjgear.com/Hansen%20Enterprises/XJ%20pics/XJ_FRT_WinchReady_GrillGuar.jpeg

Trbocharg

August 26th, 2005, 19:35

Root moose thanks for the reply what has changed your mind about the arb?

Trbocharg

August 26th, 2005, 19:37

Fullsizexj... those bumpers look very nice but what does the mounting system look like and what are the prices i cant find any of this info on your page...
Thanks

fumble

August 26th, 2005, 19:41

I highly recommend Rigid Co Winch Bumper! It is basically a 5 plate system to your XJ! Unbelievable how it works! Here is mine on my XJ.

http://jeepingsingles.tcbader.com/jeepingsingles/Fumble/Bumper1.jpg

MontanaXJ

August 26th, 2005, 19:46

Love my Rigidco FbW2 with Warn 9.5XP.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/740000-740999/740330_166_full.jpg
Greg

Root Moose

August 26th, 2005, 20:11

Root moose thanks for the reply what has changed your mind about the arb?
Mostly what I've seen/read about the ARBs on sites like NAXJA.

The ARB is designed to "give" or "crush" in a collision. As a result, when wheeling in rocks it may get damaged depending on what you hit.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy with the ARB, it is probably the most "stylish" of the full grille protecting bull bars out there, and it's obvious after handling one that some thinking really went into the design.

It does take away from the approach angle more than some others. It's one of the reasons (minor reason) why I ended up with a 5" lift instead of a 3.5".

HTH

BingBing

August 26th, 2005, 20:25

I have a Protofab pre-runner front bumper. It sticks out a little too far for rock crawling if approach angle matters. But it's very solid and beefy. A few trees have felt it's wrath.

93xj-jeeper

August 28th, 2005, 21:17

i have 31s as well and an arb......honestly i think if i were going to buy a new bumper i would not get the same bumper again. for the money i believe you can get a better bumper. one of the main reasons is the mounting design. it just uses the 3 stock bumper bolts and IMHO that is not enough in many cases for wheeling and for winching, especially any angeled pulls.....however, i ended up making my own mounting for the bumper by first getting the C-Rok inner and outer steering box plates, then bolting on custom4x4fabrications tow hook mounts to both sides and then mouting the arb to the outside of all of this, thus it pulls from the farther back on the frame from the tow hook holes and also through the steering box brace on the drivers side.....

so overall i do like my arb but it did require this modification to have an adaquate mounting design in my opinion, and if the long run i think you would be better of purchasing a bumper that already has a mounting sytem like this, which most do now....good luck in your choice

slowrider

August 28th, 2005, 21:30

I have and reccomend the loosenuts bumper. It has great clearence and the mounts go back along the fram about 12" and use 4 bolts per side. The other thing I like is that the winch fits in the bumper instead of on it. The guy who makes them is a NAXJA member and they cost about $450.

JeepinKrannyMan

August 29th, 2005, 04:24

Warn

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/jeepinkrannyman/LeffMud2.jpg

SARgroundpounder

August 29th, 2005, 17:40

I have the Hanson bumper pictured below and, of course, highly recommend it. You do need to weld on some mounting extensions but it is a very easy install and an awesome bumper.

If you check out the SkyJacker ads in the magazines, most of those trucks have Wayne's bumpers.

http://www.hansonenterprise.com/home.htm

I've seen the ARB's bend. Also, the way the winch mounts in the ARB means you have to engage it from underneath the bumper. That isn't always convenient when you are stuck.

http://www.fullsizexjgear.com/Hansen%20Enterprises/XJ%20pics/XJ_FRT_WinchReady_GrillGuar.jpeg

Trbocharg

August 29th, 2005, 18:51

Thank you guys for your reply's ...You have definitely deferred me away from then ARB...Although I still think that it is the most stylish bumper for the xj and I have heard some good defense.. I saw on another thread that the arb is made to bend right before the actual frame gives.. If this is true then replacing or re-bending the bumper would be much cheaper then fixing a warped frame.

I really like the c-rok bumper... does anybody know the prices on this bumper and if there is any cutting or welding involved in installation...

Also I would love to hear your reply's on the ARB

Thanks

I also Like the warn but I think it is a little obnoxious looking...and again the winch sits right in front of the radiator..

XJack

August 29th, 2005, 20:22

Gotta put in another vote for Rigid. Very solid bumper - gussets in all the right places, and the mounting system adds unibody reinforcement.

http://jackdempsey.net/jeep/Misc%20Pictures/Wash3.JPG

http://jackdempsey.net/jeep/Misc%20Pictures/Wash2.JPG

ExNews4XJ

August 29th, 2005, 20:28

I have the arb on my 98 and am very happy with it. i have pounded it into numerous things and it has yet to bend i have had one problem with not being able to reach the winch lever but it was no big deal because i just reversed out the ten feet of cable i needed with the remote. i also have noticed no cooling difference with the bumper and two 6 inch hellas on the lower mounts. i have picture of the front of the jeep resting on the bumper with no bending if you would like me to email them to you.

Starboard M

August 29th, 2005, 21:25

If I buy a front bumper Im going to do the Ridgid. For the guys who have them, how are the mounting brackets? Any other coments, wish I had done this, that?

XJack

August 30th, 2005, 04:58

If I buy a front bumper Im going to do the Ridgid. For the guys who have them, how are the mounting brackets? Any other coments, wish I had done this, that?

Here's a few pics of the mounting - a little fussy to line up and adjust while installing if you do it yourself, but the instructions recommend two people anyway.

Rigid photos (http://jackdempsey.net/jeep/My%20Mods/rigid/)

Light bar is bolted on, I do wish it was welded - other than that, no complaints. Takes an absolute beating with no problems.

hadfield4wd

August 30th, 2005, 05:31

Bought a $300 welder, had the angle grinder and $100.00 worth of steel. made it in the garage as well as rocker guards and will be doing a rear bumper as well with that steel. Much cheaper. Frame tie-ins go 18" up the unibody and use the power steering pump bolts. Much more rewarding and cheaper.

XJ_ranger

August 30th, 2005, 07:04

Threads like this are worthless...

everyone has their own opinions and no one changes their opinions based on what they read...

the thread creator buys a Nates 4x4 because of the cost - ill give 19:1 odds...

any takers?

Trbocharg

August 30th, 2005, 14:00

P1atinum

August 30th, 2005, 14:34

As for my worthless opinion

Another recomandation for Rigid Co. I have had mine for about six months and love it.. Mounting system is the best out there, and the price is outstanding..

Terry does a great job on these bumper and has spent endless hours testing his designs, you really cant go wrong with this bumper.

XJ_ranger

August 30th, 2005, 15:02

XJ ranger ...Im sorry I subjected your eyes to this worthless information.. (That you were obligated to read and just had to reply too) ... Im def not going to buy the Nates bumper and this thread has helped me out alot...

its not that - everyone has their own opinions on their junk, and it works or doesnt work for them, however most of these threads culminate into nothing, other than people giving you more ideas to look at...

oh - and there are 70 some odd companys making bumpers for XJ's, and i have listed 30 some in posts before - but no one wants to take the time to search - they would rather post a few things and ask opinons...

this thread is just like:
"What color should i paint my rims"
"what are the best springs?"
"Who makes the best tires?"

IMO...

Trbocharg

August 30th, 2005, 16:46

Asking for help is what the forums are for.. Lets just say for example I go to the ARB site and read up on their bumper. They tell me its the greatest thing ever produced, I have zero experiece with this bumper so i have no idea what the truth is. All I wanted to learn from this posting is the real grit about the current XJ bumpers. I Needed this info to form an educated decision and not throw away 600 bucks. I help out fellow 4x4 owners on the trail and this thread is doing the same for me... call it good karma...

Trbocharg

August 30th, 2005, 16:55

As for my thread being like:
"What color should I paint my rims"... This statement has no relevance because paint does not effect futur performance.. mabey if the question were what kind of paint should I use to rust-gaurd my rims... may be that works...
"What are the best Springs" Well guess what i have learned from reading another thread that rustys makes highly recomended springs...(Never would of known this without a thread)
ETC ETC
Threads on subjects like this help out alot of people.
I think that within this thread we have learned that Ridgid Co has one of the best bumpers and mounting systems out there and due to the recomondations of my fellow XJ owners this is the bumper I am mostlikley buying.

XJ_ranger

August 30th, 2005, 17:27