97XJ_Country
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Alabama
My son inherited my 97 XJ and drives it to school. He was hit in the parking lot in the left rear. The damage to the XJ was minimal and the other driver's insurance paid out enough to get half of a decent off-road bumper.
I'm always interested in upgrading when I can, so I would like to put an aftermarket off-road bumper on it instead of making the repair. It currently has an ARB Bull Bar on the front, so something that matches that look would be good.
It has a 3.5" lift and was used by me on easier trails, hunting - mostly light off-roading. It's now used as his daily driver to school. So, I'm not looking for a monster rear bumper for rock crawling or heavy duty off-roading. Just something that looks good on a 97 model and is of good quality.
I'd like to spend $500 or less, so that probably excludes bumpers with tire carriers. No tubular bumpers since it wouldn't match the ARB up front. The Jeep already has a Hidden Hitch rear hitch, so bumpers with a built in hitch aren't needed.
My biggest issue is finding a bumper that wraps around to cover the sides where the plastic bumper covers fit. I either find bumpers that don't wrap around and leave a giant exposed section behind the rear wheels (Olympic style), or they want to sell add-on pieces that look odd (Tomken style).
I realize I've got a narrow set of requirements, but that's why I'm asking for suggestions. Maybe you know of some non-standard manufacturers.
Thanks!
I'm always interested in upgrading when I can, so I would like to put an aftermarket off-road bumper on it instead of making the repair. It currently has an ARB Bull Bar on the front, so something that matches that look would be good.
It has a 3.5" lift and was used by me on easier trails, hunting - mostly light off-roading. It's now used as his daily driver to school. So, I'm not looking for a monster rear bumper for rock crawling or heavy duty off-roading. Just something that looks good on a 97 model and is of good quality.
I'd like to spend $500 or less, so that probably excludes bumpers with tire carriers. No tubular bumpers since it wouldn't match the ARB up front. The Jeep already has a Hidden Hitch rear hitch, so bumpers with a built in hitch aren't needed.
My biggest issue is finding a bumper that wraps around to cover the sides where the plastic bumper covers fit. I either find bumpers that don't wrap around and leave a giant exposed section behind the rear wheels (Olympic style), or they want to sell add-on pieces that look odd (Tomken style).
I realize I've got a narrow set of requirements, but that's why I'm asking for suggestions. Maybe you know of some non-standard manufacturers.
Thanks!