Bumper Question

[Jeep Reloaded]

Like most choices on a Jeep the bumper is a mixture of form and function and most of us lean one way or the other. I tend toward function over form, so I have a bumper question.

First my use case. I stay mostly on the roads, with my off road activities confined to sand and intermediate trail riding (scenic over technical). Road some trials back in my biker days so climbing rocks in a Jeep is not something that interests me too much as an old fart. Been through god knows how many metric tons of mud when I had my old CJ; I no longer seek that out either - though I don't avoid it (or occasional rocks) on the trail.

I've been looking at these stubby bumpers and they seem designed primarily for clearance, and I assume rock climbing benefits most. I see advantages in that and weight saving. I like the look of them also.

I'm still leaning toward a full length, upswept bumper because it seems to offer slightly better wheel and linkage protection in general. What are the disadvantages (if any) of a stubby bumper? Any advice or recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,

Mac



Howdy from Texas!
'76 CJ-5 V8 Renegade (grey Levi's), retired.
'14 JK Sport 2DR (Black), weekend fun.

 

[wayoflife]

A stubby will weigh less and allow for significantly greater approach angles. This is exceptionally helpful on the rocks. If you really believe you need more protection but don't necessary want to run a full width bumper, there are plenty of companies that offer a "mid-width" solution.

 

[Ddays]

LOD makes a really nice Mid-length bumper that is a good compromise between the stubbies & full length versions



There are also a lot of other really good mid width bumpers out there.

 

[Jeep Reloaded]

Thanks! I will check out the mid width offerings.


Howdy from Texas!
'76 CJ-5 V8 Renegade (grey Levi's), retired.
'14 JK Sport 2DR (Black), weekend fun.

 

[TheGrendel]

I think Full Metal Fabworks Midwidth looks pretty freaking sweet. I know a couple of posters are running the FMF Stubby and really like them.

 

[JKDream]

I think Full Metal Fabworks Midwidth looks pretty freaking sweet. I know a couple of posters are running the FMF Stubby and really like them.

That looks really wicked.
The foglight location is a little weird though haha.

 

[wayoflife]

I think Full Metal Fabworks Midwidth looks pretty freaking sweet. I know a couple of posters are running the FMF Stubby and really like them.

eh... clearly, to each their own. I can't say it does anything for me at all :icon_crazy:

 

[TheGrendel]

eh... clearly, to each their own. I can't say it does anything for me at all :icon_crazy:

it's definitely different and that's why i like it.

 

[wayoflife]

it's definitely different and that's why i like it.

Oh, don't get me wrong. Just because it's not my cup of tea doesn't mean squat. If everyone liked the same stuff, it'd be a boring world.

 

[VeruGE*144]

it's definitely different and that's why i like it.

I love my FMF stubby



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[Ddays]

I love my FMF stubby

I love mine as well but man, that mid length one is kinda weird looking when comparing the two. :thinking:

 

[VeruGE*144]

I love mine as well but man, that mid length one is kinda weird looking when comparing the two. :thinking:

I agree the mid width is weird looking, I personally don't like any mid width bumpers. I had a full width AEV that I though I liked very much for about 2 years but there's nothing like a good ol' stubby or body width bumper. They look the best on a Jeep.


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[wayoflife]

Yeah, that stubby looks real nice... just the mid-width is funky to me :icon_crazy:

Here's a shot of the LoD mid-width that I ran briefly.

 

[GraniteCrystal]

Also swapped out mid-width for stubby recently

 

[GoldenJK]

Took a sawzall to my full width bumper and sure like the stubby look way more, especially if you chop the fenders

 

[VeruGE*144]

Took a sawzall to my full width bumper and sure like the stubby look way more, especially if you chop the fenders
View attachment 269842
View attachment 269843

That came out nice. Good work


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[JK_Dave]

Here's one by Excessive Industries that's kind of a cross between a mid and stubby with those corners being chopped out -



Poison Spyder also makes a mid -

 

[madstiles]

I went with full width. Living in Florida we get a lot of rain and it helps catch the water and rocks that gets thrown at the windshield. Haven't had any clearance issues. width

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[Jeep Reloaded]

I went with full width. Living in Florida we get a lot of rain and it helps catch the water and rocks that gets thrown at the windshield. Haven't had any clearance issues.

After looking and thinking about it for awhile I'm leaning that direction too. The mid-length seems like a compromise, and I do like the protection aspect of the body width.




Howdy from Texas!
'76 CJ-5 V8 Renegade (grey Levi's), retired.
'14 JK Sport 2DR (Black), weekend fun.

 

[Defcon3JKU]

You could always look for someone selling their Hardrock bumper. You could have full width around town then swap to a stubby for trail rides. It takes about 5 minutes to install/remove the end caps.

No caps

Caps


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