Best rear bumpers: Opinions please

[Tstinson]

So I've been helping my son shop for a rear bumper for almost a year now. There aren't many options to begin with but after scouring the many different sites, forums etc., we have it narrowed down to a few based on their perceived quality, fit'n'finish, function etc. The problem is, there really is no good place to compare all of them. Every manufacturer offers their own unique, mostly awkward photos with odd lighting and odd angles which make it very difficult to compare. I'm hoping that after reading our shortlist of bumpers and our concerns, folks will step in with their opinions and insight to help other T4R members like us make a more well informed decision.

Lastly, please understand that we are basing our opinion on what we can gather from the internet without seeing anything in person. Secondly, we have been shipping a bumper with swing out to accommodate a tire and single can.

CBI: Very nice, tidy design with hinge out of the way of danger and maximum departure angle. VERY expensive and by far the highest shipping rates.

Shrockworks: Nice design but a little less refined with bits of excessive hardware and a hinge that is VERY susceptible to damage. 25% less and better shipping rates.

4X4 Labs: Unique, simple design. Very poorly documented and just as pricey as CBI.

 

[Unner]

4Xinnovations. CBI bumpers are way overpriced for the quality.

 

[DK327]

4Xinnovations.

This is what I've personally been looking at too as of late, the rear one with tire carrier and a single jerry can holder to be more specific, just waiting for a Group Buy to save a bit of cash...

 

[Tstinson]

Unner and DK327, I like the 4X innovations design but the hinge sticking out of the back really scares me. I'm thinking it will be very susceptible to getting hit, and reduces clearance. I really like how the CBI hinge is integrated and protected. Thoughts?

 

[DK327]

I like the 4X innovations design but the hinge sticking out of the back really scares me. I'm thinking it will be very susceptible to getting hit, and reduces clearance.

Are you talking about this hinge? If so, it's not bad at all, IMO. I guess it's really a personal preference...

 

[Unner]

This is what I've personally been looking at too as of late, the rear one with tire carrier and a single jerry can holder to be more specific, just waiting for a Group Buy to save a bit of cash...

I love mine, I'm not sure I've ever seen a 4x group buy though...

Unner and DK327, I like the 4X innovations design but the hinge sticking out of the back really scares me. I'm thinking it will be very susceptible to getting hit, and reduces clearance. I really like how the CBI hinge is integrated and protected. Thoughts?

Are you talking about the hinge part on the passenger side, like the pivot point? I've never hit it nor heard of anyone hitting it. This bumper is stupid stout. How hard is your son wheeling?

The CBIs look good, but there's multiple people here who've reported problems with quality, especially with the welds. Lots of cracking of welds.

 

[dhphamqc]

http://nwtrailinnovations.com

They sell knock down bumpers. They ship to your nearest Fastenal and their shipping is pretty reasonable.

 

[theesotericone]

The CBIs look good, but there's multiple people here who've reported problems with quality, especially with the welds. Lots of cracking of welds.

I know two people that have had welds crack. CBI was quick to take care of the issue and it's been a few years since I've heard of any problems with CBI. Except some people get a "shimmy" with the CBI bumper. I've only read about that one.

As far as 4XInnovations goes, that's who will be making my rear bumper.

 

[DK327]

http://nwtrailinnovations.com

They sell knock down bumpers. They ship to your nearest Fastenal and their shipping is pretty reasonable.

Thx for the heads up, from what I gather, one needs to weld these together themselves? I think the 4XInno is a single bolt on kit...

 

[4x4runner2002]

The welds on my swing out have been repaired and one of the gussets even broke down the middle. I'd get savage over Cbi. Although the bumper itself is fine my issues have been with the swing out.

I do think it's the best looking rear hybrid bumper.

 

[Scramble]

This is what I've personally been looking at too as of late, the rear one with tire carrier and a single jerry can holder to be more specific, just waiting for a Group Buy to save a bit of cash...

4x innov said they will never do a group buy again, that was 2013 or 14.

To the OP, I've narrowed it down to Shrockworks or 4X Innov.
My FB is SW & build like a brickshithouse so I'm leaning that way and they do have group buys.
I've never read about anyone hitting their hinges on either bumper.

CBI has too many negative reviews on the swingout & all of their stuff in general is over priced.

 

[DK327]

4x innov said they will never do a group buy again, that was 2013 or 14.

To the OP, I've narrowed it down to Shrockworks or 4X Innov.
My FB is SW & build like a brickshithouse so I'm leaning that way and they do have group buys.

Good to know, I might revisit SW and re-asses...

 

[99Runnr]

My .02 even though my bumper is not a swingout unit. I just recently received my two bumpers, both plate bumpers. From two separate companies. One took 8 weeks, one took 5.

My rear bumper was the faster build time, by shrockworks. The finish, welds, hardware supplied, and quality was so far superior that I will be ordering and waiting on a second front bumper.

Shrockworks builds nice stuff, an for what I paid, I was very happy with it. They also have a staff who answers the phone and gets your questions answered, email confirmation is secondary to formal phone calls.