I am looking at two options for a new front bumper. I am on a low budget, so I want to get some input and suggestions on what to do.
I am debating whether to cut my stock bumper to be a stubby bumper and and then a little stinger for the stock bumper to give it a better look, or to just spend a couple hundred dollars on a new bumper all together. I'm wondering if I should just save my money and by a more expensive bumper later, or if anyone can suggest a good quality but inexpensive bumper! I don't do too much heavy wheeling now, but I hope to in the future, just not sure how close that future is. Thanks in advance!
Do you have a welder or someone that does? If so, check out tab and slot. They have some bumper kits that are kinda do it yourself. I just got mine finished and put on today. It's simple to put together. I got the stubby without the fog light cutouts but here is a link to a youtube vid
I do not own a welder, nor do I know how to weld at all. From what I can think of, I do not know anyone with a welder or who can weld, but my dad might. Although, the last week or so I have been looking for welding classes near me and researched into a good beginner welder because I have been wanting to learn and this would be an awesome way to learn! A cool looking bumper, cheap, and get to work on it yourself; its perfect. I will definitely be looking into this. Any suggestions on a welder or anything? Also, if you could post some pics on here of yours when you get a chance, that would be awesome!
If you plan on keeping this Jeep for a while, save up and do it right. If it's just your high school vehicle, do the cheapest thing and have a good time with your money. Invest it. That's a whole lot better when you're 25 than a bumper you bought as a junior in high school.
I originally wanted a stubby aftermarket bumper and just cut my stock one down and added rough country end caps as a stop gap until I was able to get a new bumper but Going on 3 years later I still have the cut down bumper and have a hard time getting rid of it.
I have had these for a couple of years now i bought them as a temporary for a quick Rubicon trip and never got around to building my own.
Its not my favorite set up but its cheap and works great
I ran the cut stubby stock bumper for a while. Worked well,
issue i hit was the cost of a winch plate and end caps, paid for just over 1/4th of a new bumper with stinger , foglights, and winch mount.
here were my rough numbers
winch plate - 80$
light bar - 50$
vdp end caps - 70$
thats 200$ right there. Not sure of your situation, but figure out what your long term goal is for your jeep , and save up to achieve it if possible.
That is a very good point. It seems like even to take the time and money to make the stock bumper look better, it gets pricey. Might just be worth it to save up for something nicer in the long run.
You said that's not your favorite setup, but I actually think that looks pretty good! And its pretty inexpensive, just almost feel like although it is cheaper than a normal bumper, it may be pricey for what you're actually getting. Like the look though, will look into it.
I went with a minimalist approach of just a GenRight winch plate and a set of EVO D ring tabs. I had to buy tabs because I bought the plate in conjunction with a bumper. Sold the heavy steel bumper. So far I am happy with this and have winched several times including a stock ford exploder up "the stairs" at slick rock. I think you can get everything from them, including tabs, for like 125.
No pics handy but I'll take some and post later if you want. I plan to pull the winch and all apart for paint and touch up etc. you can see my setup in my vids if you want.
I vote the RC hybrid. It's basically just a winch plate with ends for the fog lights. Lightweight and functional, as long as you aren't looking to plow down trees with your front end.
After looking at all of them I went with someone on this forum that came highly recommended and his welds look amazing.
Vick from VKS Fab. I know Marcus from River City runs his bumper and I saw one locally here in Houston and ordered that same day. I have the V1 Winch bumper coming Tuesday
VERY reasonable and great looking quality. He even will do something custom if you email or call him.
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