Dilemma: front or rear bumper first?????

[mrevilandy]

I can't make up my mind!!!!!!!!!

Front bumper is obvious choice that comes to mind for better angle....but the rear sweet sweet look of a tire swing away....I don't know, my pocket is burning but I can only afford one bumper right now. What do u guys think front or rear first?

 

[e60ral]

i drag the rear a lot more than i scrape the front

 

[mrevilandy]

i drag the rear a lot more than i scrape the front

Maybe I've been lucky so far everything I've done the front seemed to be the limiting factor so far the rear seems fine. So far the off roading I do is more climbs vs large drops

 

[spawn]

I was on the same boat, but i decided to wait until i have enought fund to get what i really wanted. For now, front end. But like i said, things can wait. Good luck.

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[CruzadoBlanco]

what year is yours? 2010-2013 or 2014 +? if its an early 5th gen id go for front since its approach angle is trash. if its the newer 5th gen id get the rear since the front on the newer ones already have a pretty awesome approach angle.

 

[mrevilandy]

what year is yours? 2010-2013 or 2014 +? if its an early 5th gen id go for front since its approach angle is trash. if its the newer 5th gen id get the rear since the front on the newer ones already have a pretty awesome approach angle.

I have a 14 trail. I thought they both had the same amount of angle between the trail models I mean. At this point I think a front will allow me to do more while the rear is more for looks. At the same time I'm thinking I may not be able to climb anything steeper than I do now.

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

I have a 14 trail. I thought they both had the same amount of angle between the trail models I mean. At this point I think a front will allow me to do more while the rear is more for looks. At the same time I'm thinking I may not be able to climb anything steeper than I do now.

i dont find my self limited by my approach angle too much with my giant 4th gen front end. its all how you approach it. with it being a trail it all boils down to what you will get the most use out of.

 

[Tengu]

Depends on what is more important to you. Access to your spare, and less likely to mess up your rear on a drop. Or the ability to ram zombies, sh it y drivers, or neighbors off the road.

 

[mrevilandy]

Depends on what is more important to you. Access to your spare, and less likely to mess up your rear on a drop. Or the ability to ram zombies, sh it y drivers, or neighbors off the road.

Lol that's the problem they are both equally important. I may end up getting a rear first seems easier to cut n install lol

 

[The Waco Kid]

What would give you the most utility?

I'd upgrade/modify based on actual necessity (I use necessity loosely here... thats a whole other topic).

I say that, and the majority of my mods are for cosmetic reasons (if you can even call them mods).

But if money is an constraint, and you can use a high clearance front bumper more over the rear... go with the front.

 

[weeeee]

I wanted to order a rear vs a front bumper first, but since Demello had a sale I went with a front bumper first.

If I had the choice I'd go with a rear. It's way more useful (can carry a full sized spare, jerry cans, hi lift, etc.) whereas the only thing a front bumper will do is allow me to install a winch.

 

[mrevilandy]

Question do the front bumpers actuall create more front clearance or is just where the wheel wells are?

 

[weeeee]

I'm not sure if it's exactly what you're asking but it should improve your approach angle and give you more wheel clearance for higher caster if you go with a taller tire. I'm running a 34" and I had to trim about an inch from the wheel wells on my OEM bumper for clearance.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Not 5th gen specific...but almost every 4x4 I've owned I put front bumpers on in the very least. Stock front bumpers crumple in accidents and do very little to protect you and your occupants. Plus aftermarket bumpers are easy to mount lights and winch on typically, and can give you more clearance.

A few years ago I was cruising along in my Jeep Rubicon and some turkey hit the brakes at an intersection with a green light. I locked up the Rubicon and pitched it sideways like the Dukes of Hazzard, all the guy needed to do was slowly creep forward a foot or hit the gas as he should since it was green light and there would have been no contact....I skidded up and kissed the trunk of this Lexus and it caved in all the way to the rear deck. That car was totaled. My Hanson front bumper had a paint mark on the hoop that goes over the winch, that was it.

Thankfully no one was hurt. As lady luck would have it we pulled off into a gas station, he was acting all weird, and asked me how much cash I would give him to fix his Lexus. I said pay you in cash? I have insurance, and I still am confused why you stopped at a green light. I tried to hand him my insurance card he said he does not like dealing with insurance. Then he asked if I thought he would get pulled over if he drove home with his car like that, I said yes most likely...but if we call the cops they will probably give you some paperwork and let you limp it home. He said he did not like dealing with cops. I said I was a retired cop and if we call them the accident will most likely be my fault because I rear ended you and did not give myself enough room to stop, so if they come you can get paperwork from them, probably drive home, and my insurance is gonna cover your repairs. Once I told him I was a retired cop, he shook my hand said he was in a hurry and hauled a$$ out of there....I called my insurance immediately and explained it to them, they laughed and said we will not be hearing from that guy.

Shortly thereafter I put a Shrockworks bumper on my 3rd Gen...peace of mind should anyone else slam their brakes in front of me.

 

[weeeee]

Stock front bumpers crumple in accidents and do very little to protect you and your occupants.

Sorry, but this couldn't be more further from the truth. The crumple zones are designed specifically to absorb additional crash energy to mitigate some of the force of the crash from the cabin and the occupants. From a safety standpoint, you and your occupants are safer in a vehicle with stock bumpers vs. armor in a standard auto collision.

 

[CR_CO_4RTEP]

My opinion is rear bumper first. 1-get the spare off the bottom to improve clearance 2-get better departure angles which you will most likely experience a need for sooner than an approach issue 3-get the hitch up higher. 4- get solid recovery points to pull you back out of a problem if need be.


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[mrevilandy]

Awesome answers and suggestion thanks all. I think I'll end up with a rear first looking st that sweet sss bumper.

 

[3wbdriver]

Sounds good. I just saw this so I'll simply post my thoughts. I opted for a front bumper first because I was more concerned with getting a winch in place than I was with dragging the rear end. But I do have to admit I have dragged the rear end a couple times and have yet to bottom out the front. That was my reason for getting the rear bumper this year, even without a swing away tire carrier. And the winch has been used enough in the past 18 months to make me happy with my initial choice.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Sorry, but this couldn't be more further from the truth. The crumple zones are designed specifically to absorb additional crash energy to mitigate some of the force of the crash from the cabin and the occupants. From a safety standpoint, you and your occupants are safer in a vehicle with stock bumpers vs. armor in a standard auto collision.

Really??? I have seen MANY auto accidents in my time as a cop, and the front ends of vehicles are demolished often even in slow speed accidents....so are you saying the reason the entire front end is demolished is to absorb the impact to make occupants safer?

Just from an eyeball standpoint it looks like stock front bumpers are worthless in an accident and the vehicle is toast if its anything other than a fender bender. Then my one incident demolishing a car with my steel winch bumper and I had paint transfer on it and no damage what so ever, and was not hurt.

You probably are correct. My logic was faulty in that less vehicle damage means safer occupants.

 

[Engineer]

Really??? I have seen MANY auto accidents in my time as a cop, and the front ends of vehicles are demolished often even in slow speed accidents....so are you saying the reason the entire front end is demolished is to absorb the impact to make occupants safer?

Just from an eyeball standpoint it looks like stock front bumpers are worthless in an accident and the vehicle is toast if its anything other than a fender bender. Then my one incident demolishing a car with my steel winch bumper and I had paint transfer on it and no damage what so ever, and was not hurt.

You probably are correct. My logic was faulty in that less vehicle damage means safer occupants.

That is exactly what he is saying, the energy from the crash has to go some where. Crumple zones absorb/dissipate the energy EXTREMELY well. Which is why people walk away from nasty crashes and we see everything but the passenger compartment crumpled to hell.

If I had to hit a concrete wall at 40mph in a 4runner with or without a steel bumper I would take OEM any day of the week over ANY bumper that's out there.

Slower, less violent accidents are a slightly different animal in that yes body damage wise you can certainly come out ahead with a steel bumper compared to factory sheet metal and plastic. So your visual experience are correct but it doesn't make steel bumpers "safer" to the occupants (or others you hit for that matter)

Back on topic: I vote rear bumper 1st.