Just thinking about custom bumpers...

ryankmasuda

ryankmasuda

New member
So I was looking into custom bumpers for the front and rear of my rig and I began to wonder how well these bumpers withstand collision. Is there anyone out there with pictures of their custom bumpers after a bad accident? Is it safe to say that a bolt on bumper in weaker then a weld on? I'm guessing a bolt on would be as weak as the bolts. Anyone have any opinions or pictures or wrecked custom bumpers?
 
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I rear ended someone on the freeway with my ARB. Didn't even scratch the powder-coat.

As far as the weld-on/bolt-on goes I would say that unless you have a really low profile one made the added strength you might get from welding it on isn't going to be worth it. I can't fathom not being able to pull my ARB off. Takes like 15 minutes max to take it off. Made doing my timing belt/water pump so much easier.
 
Bolt on when it comes to bumpers. Especially the front bumper since there are so many things you may have to access behind them in the future. Now if say the fron bumper is like the Addicted tube bumper and you are just welding a piece between the frame to bolt the bumper to then go for it. Also as mentioned, hardware can be a fail point and can help keep from bending your frame as bad after being in an accident as one welded directly to the frame.
 
Any aftermarket bumper will be stronger than the factory POS. I bumped a dead tree with my factory one and later folded it in half by hand. A plate bumper will usually be stronger than a tube but both are way better than stock.
 
Yea the OEM bumpers are terrible, they seem to fold under the slightest of bumps and cause more body damage. Right now I don't have access to a welder nor would I like to pay someone to weld a bumper on. I like the idea of the bolt of being able to be removed. I'm leaning towards an ARB or TJM front bumper and a Perkins Rear. I got a quote from TJM for $880 for a T-15 and ARB want $1100 for what looks to be almost identical. Does anyone know first hand of TJM quality vs. ARB?
 
ryankmasuda said:
Yea the OEM bumpers are terrible, they seem to fold under the slightest of bumps and cause more body damage. Right now I don't have access to a welder nor would I like to pay someone to weld a bumper on. I like the idea of the bolt of being able to be removed. I'm leaning towards an ARB or TJM front bumper and a Perkins Rear. I got a quote from TJM for $880 for a T-15 and ARB want $1100 for what looks to be almost identical. Does anyone know first hand of TJM quality vs. ARB?
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Proudrunner has a TJM (I'm not sure which model though). Check out LINY4runner's truck too. His is a modified TJM and it's sick. His was made for a 2nd gen (I think) and he adapted it for his 3rd gen and put his own top tubes on it.

ryankmasuda said:
I like $750 better, do you have any regrets with the ARB?
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My only regrets with the ARB is that it's not a great rock crawling bumper because I bash mine a lot. I call it "my front slider". It's awesome for an expo rig or weekend warrior off roader though, just not the big rocks. If I was to do it over again, I'd get a higher clearance bumper (tube) but I got my ARB used for dirt cheap so I can't complain.
 
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Jon said:
Any aftermarket bumper will be stronger than the factory POS. I bumped a dead tree with my factory one and later folded it in half by hand. A plate bumper will usually be stronger than a tube but both are way better than stock.
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I have to disagree with you there. I'm of the mind that tube is stronger than plate given similiar thickness. Cylinders are one of the strongest geometric shapes.
 
brian2sun said:
My only regrets with the ARB is that it's not a great rock crawling bumper because I bash mine a lot. I call it "my front slider". It's awesome for an expo rig or weekend warrior off roader though, just not the big rocks. If I was to do it over again, I'd get a higher clearance bumper (tube) but I got my ARB used for dirt cheap so I can't complain.
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Totally agree. Only way I would change it though is if I were to have a lower profile plate bumper made with better clearance. I'm not a fan of tube bumpers.
 
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