Expensive bumpers worth it?

I am all about weight savings. That 1/4 Pounder is really nice. Expensive, but nice. I like how they were able to make it entirely out of aluminum by strengthening the webs under the winch mount. Most other manufacturers use a steel plate that bolts to the frame and surround it with an aluminum shell. The result tends to save weight, but are typically heavier than simple stubby bumpers. I did a front frame chop on this one, which shaved off another pound or two. I think this bumper weighs in at 23lbs.

 
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sipafz said:
This conversation reminds me of my motocross days. When I bought my 1990 YZ 250, back in the day, it came with steel handle bars which got badly bent the first time I dumped it. Shortly thereafter I bought after market aluminum bars and never bent them. The point is that any material will bend and stay deformed if taken past the yield point.

Some aluminum has 1/2 the strength of some steels and approximately 1/3the weight. Using that as a guild shows that aluminum that is 3 times thicker, but the same weight as steel, should have an increased yield by 50% in theory, if the application allows.

In the case of my handle bars, the steel ones had a tube thickness of around 1/16" or so. The aluminum bars were around 3/16" thick and about the same weight, but were probably around 50% stronger.

A disadvantage of aluminum is that once the material is pushed past yield, it loses a lot more strength when brought back. Steel is more forgiving in this respect.

As far as the aluminum core tie rod; sounds like bs to me, but I would be interested in seeing some testing on it compared to others.
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LOL, I put aluminum bars on my 78 Maico and they looked like droopy dog ears after I dumped it off of a big jump I had no business trying back in my dumber days :rolleyes2:
Point taken above because there are so many factors behind how materials can be made stronger. I just wonder how an aluminum bumper will take repeated hits with the full weight of a Jeep coming down on it. I'm not saying it won't but it seems likely that it wouldn't hold up over the long run as well as a steel one would.
 
Ddays said:
LOL, I put aluminum bars on my 78 Maico and they looked like droopy dog ears after I dumped it off of a big jump I had no business trying back in my dumber days :rolleyes2:
Point taken above because there are so many factors behind how materials can be made stronger. I just wonder how an aluminum bumper will take repeated hits with the full weight of a Jeep coming down on it. I'm not saying it won't but it seems likely that it wouldn't hold up over the long run as well as a steel one would.
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I agree that an aluminum bumper might not be the best thing, but that's because of the thicknesses of materials that are typically used. Take the Genright - Ultra Clearance JK Lo-Pro Winch Guard Front Bumper; made from 3/16" thick 6061 Aluminum ($800). This mall rated beauty is thinner than most top tier steel bumpers! Doesn't make sense to me. Using the guidelines mentioned above, they should make it from 3/4" aluminum which would make it about the same weight as if it were made from 1/4" steel and have increased strength. Unfortunately, the added thickness in this case is probably not conducive to making a suitable design due to space constraints. This is an application where steel excels.

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Ps: cool bike for the day!

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I will just say if you're looking for something that will take hit after hit on something like a bumper which in some instances is used to ramp the jeep up into an ledge or other obstacle I would go with steel as the aluminum while nice looking will likely be destroyed over time. I get they make pats under the jeep like control arms and such out of aluminum, but those are specifically made to react a certain way like flexing instead of bending or breaking.

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Draconianwinter said:
I will just say if you're looking for something that will take hit after hit on something like a bumper which in some instances is used to ramp the jeep up into an ledge or other obstacle I would go with steel as the aluminum while nice looking will likely be destroyed over time. I get they make pats under the jeep like control arms and such out of aluminum, but those are specifically made to react a certain way like flexing instead of bending or breaking.

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Kudos to that. My rear bumper was aluminum and dented when I looked at it. My front bumper/grill guard has run into trees, been used to pull trees down, and has accidentally ripped the side of a shed (I blame bad hand signals on this one, the pipe edge caught on some flashing and off the wall went). The worst it's done is pop a weld in the aforementioned wall but other than that it's been the sturdiest thing on my Jeep.

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Ddays said:
LOL, I put aluminum bars on my 78 Maico and they looked like droopy dog ears after I dumped it off of a big jump I had no business trying back in my dumber days :rolleyes2:
Point taken above because there are so many factors behind how materials can be made stronger. I just wonder how an aluminum bumper will take repeated hits with the full weight of a Jeep coming down on it. I'm not saying it won't but it seems likely that it wouldn't hold up over the long run as well as a steel one would.
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78 Maico, wow you've been around awhile, reminds me of the days of Danny Chandler.


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GraniteCrystal said:
There's quite a price difference between bumpers out there, even among quality brands.

EVO Quarter Pounder - $400 powdercoat included
View attachment 259288

LoD Destroyer - $600 bare steel
View attachment 259286

GenRight - $935 bare aluminum
View attachment 259287

I'd love to have the GenRight bumper. But would I be happier with a quarter pounder and an ARB Compressor for the same amount?

This is meant as a general question but I have looked at those 3 specific bumpers.
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To get back on track, I see a lot of cheap bumpers where I live, but out west, I've seen some quality brands. The fit, finish, and construction of EVO, LoD, RockHard, and the Poison Spyder stuff, is far above some of the rest, IMO.


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This is a good thread for me right now. Thanks guys.
I'm torn between the LOD signature stubby with the stinger and the EVO 1/4 pounder with stinger,
I like the way both of them fit the winch nice and low. Like one of the other posters said I like every
thing I've seen EVO make. I have the Enforcer 4in kit and the rear tire carrier (Door Hinge type)
Between the EVO and the LOD to me
EVO Pros
1) I have other EVO Stuff
2) the EVO looks to have better clearence
3) the EVO Looks stronger
LOD Pros
1) A Bigger Stinger
2) Less Work to Install
3) It's setup for Fog Lights
It's a Tough Call
PHX
 
PHX JK said:
This is a good thread for me right now. Thanks guys.
I'm torn between the LOD signature stubby with the stinger and the EVO 1/4 pounder with stinger,
I like the way both of them fit the winch nice and low. Like one of the other posters said I like every
thing I've seen EVO make. I have the Enforcer 4in kit and the rear tire carrier (Door Hinge type)
Between the EVO and the LOD to me
EVO Pros
1) I have other EVO Stuff
2) the EVO looks to have better clearence
3) the EVO Looks stronger
LOD Pros
1) A Bigger Stinger
2) Less Work to Install
3) It's setup for Fog Lights
It's a Tough Call
PHX
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I am sure no matter which one you decide you well be happy with it. However I don't run either of them so can't say anything other than not heard a complaint about either company so far

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I've also been looking around for a front bumper for good few weeks now. I seem to be changing my mind every week lol. I like poison spyder, evo, lod and my newest choice Full Metal Fabworks. Also made in USA, smaller company so you don't hear or see them that much. I came across this digging through some older threads on here. Thanks Ddays for sharing this one with me
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This week I am leaning towards this one, but this might change next week again


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VeruGE*144 said:
I've also been looking around for a front bumper for good few weeks now. I seem to be changing my mind every week lol. I like poison spyder, evo, lod and my newest choice Full Metal Fabworks. Also made in USA, smaller company so you don't hear or see them that much. I came across this digging through some older threads on here. Thanks Ddays for sharing this one with me
View attachment 259503
View attachment 259504

This week I am leaning towards this one, but this might change next week again


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Not heard anything bad about that company, but like you said smaller company not as well known. The PSC bumper I can tell you that it looks great on my jk and it is well built. I have the brawler lite front and brawler II rear. Only problem I have with the rear is it is not designed to mount a 35 inch tire to the stock tire carrier so I had to get a spare tire relocation bracket to raise it up a little bit.

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