Durability of Aluminum Winch Bumpers

[El Dusty]

Regarding material choice for skid plates, the heavier skids should actually *lower* your center of gravity. I would love to experiment with 1/8" AR skidplates I have everything modeled on my PC just need to send it to a local shop to have cut.

With infinite budget I think press hardened boron steel like the new Colorado ZR2 Bison would be badass. 200k yield strength means you could go thinner and still be stronger than most everything else.

If considering aluminun, I think weight and location of weight relative to height and to your drive axles should also be considered. A full steel bumper + winch is big cantilever around you rear axle. If you had to choose a single piece of armor to build out of aluminum I think front bumpers are the best choice. Steel mounting brackets for peace of mind.

 

[Xtremluck]

With infinite budget I think press hardened boron steel like the new Colorado ZR2 Bison would be badass. 200k yield strength means you could go thinner and still be stronger than most everything else.

If considering aluminun, I think weight and location of weight relative to height and to your drive axles should also be considered. A full steel bumper + winch is big cantilever around you rear axle. If you had to choose a single piece of armor to build out of aluminum I think front bumpers are the best choice. Steel mounting brackets for peace of mind.

Good call out I know AEV loves to use that material. I'm always impressed with their offerings. Would love to see how they've held up to real use.

 

[JettyHopper]

CBI aluminum was out of my price range so went with aluminum blitz bumper from Victory 4x4. It is featherweight compared to steel. Hopefully I could install it as soon as the winch gets delivered.

Only concern is durability of aluminum. It’s seems it’s 70/30. More people favoring steel over aluminum but I think it all comes down to utility and purpose of your rig.

It’s pretty awesome to see OP with the CBIs tackling some rocks.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

I have UHMW. If no one mentioned it, steel is easier to fix. I know I might get flamed here, but, with lots of members running large heavy tires, aftermarket skids, sliders, bumpers and roof racks, regardless of material, added to a stock 2-1/2 ton brick, the saving of 100 or 200 pounds seems a little trite.
How many members weigh between 2-300#’s.
Just teasing you guys. I agree with forum member Comtn4x4’s quote;
“There's not a single thing on my rig that was a good investment or will justify it's expense at any point in time. It's all purely for my own joy.”

Merry Christmas to all of you on the forum.

 

[JettyHopper]

I personally think every piece of weight does matter.

Bone stock 4runner with four passengers. Not sure if anyone remembers, it’s like turtle on wheels. One less passenger you could see and feel the difference.

 

[mrblah]

everything is about compromises and what you plan on doing with your vehicles.

I personally am trying to save weight where I can by replacing my steel armor with aluminum. By doing so, it makes the overall driving experience more enjoyable for me. This is a compromise I am willing to make.

 

[HELGA]

I like the lighter weight for sure, but being in northeast, this place is a salt lick 3+ months of the year, so we also are constantly fighting Fe2O3 on this thing. We don't get to play offroad as often as most so I honestly don't feel as though longevity will be an issue the more I ponder. We're unlikely to be pulling with it more than a few times per year. Maybe makes sense to go Al and if we turn into hard-core trail rats just cough up for a steel version at that point as necessity dictates.

 

[HELGA]

Varied points of view really appreciated here Folks.