Bumper question

I have an '01 cherokee with a 4.5" RE lift on it. In the spring i will be trimming the fenders and adding flares to clear 32s. I am also planning on buying a bumper. I have heared that if i buy a bumper to fit the 84-96s i will get more clerence than if i buy a bumper that will fit the 97s-01s. Is this true? And will there be a gap between the flares and the Bumper that will look stupid? Any help is appreciated.

redneck1939 said:

i dont know anything about your bumper question but you should be able to clear 32s with your lift with no trimming

Click to expand...

this is true , but you will have to bumpstop if you don't want to trim. I 'm on 34's on this lift (RE 4.5") and soon to be on 35's. also I'm running a ARB bumper (for my 96) with the control arms pushed 2" forward (adj.) and I don't rub my bumper. hope this helps

I ran 32s with stock wheels and re 4.5 lift on my 97 and you could clear it fine if you just trib the front and possibly back if needed and raised the flairs. It cheap and stock flairs are pretty tough

The main difference between the pre 97 and post 97 front bumpers is the post 97 bumpers have an extension piece on them that stretches from the bumper to the wheel well, the pre-97s don't. As for tire clearance on the aftermarket bumpers, it would depend on what bumper you decide to use, as some are thicker (top to bottom of bumper) than others. For example, if you look at the ARB bumper as compared to the AJ's customs bumper, there is a huge difference in clearance, especially along the side. It also depends on whether you choose a winch or non-winch bumper. THere's another product out there that uses the factory bumper but allows you to add a winch and d-rings. Here are a few links:

http://www.ajsoffroadarmor.com/products-frontbumpers.php
http://www.arbusa.com/jeep.php?num=5#image
http://www.detoursusa.com/
http://www.cassidyscustom.com/index.html
http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/index.html
http://www.tomken.com/catalog.php?search=terms=&model=XJ&year=all&cat=frontbumpers

these are just a few. Hope that helps.
j