The three day Specialty Equipment Market Association event at the Las Vegas, Nevada, Convention Center is a seemingly never ending walk among rows and rows of built-up show Jeeps, trucks, performance cars and a plethora of parts and accessories.
It was also a great time for us to take a look at how SEMA show Jeep builders approached their vehicle’s front ends.
That’s because when it comes to modifying your Jeep, the question of what bumper and style to choose always seems to come up when we are at shows and events – not to mention every day in the office.
Really, of all the stuff you can put on your Jeep Wrangler or CJ, the front bumper is arguably the most important – and most difficult – piece to pick out. With so many different looks, sizes, features and options, a front bumper can set the tone for the entire look of your vehicle; not to mention enhance its protection as well as adding recovery points, auxiliary lighting, winches, etc.
So we wandered the convention center floor and took inventory of all the ways builders attacked their respective show Jeep front ends.
You’ll see pretty much everything – from full length, to mid, to stubby. Traditional to stinger and bull bars. Winch and no winch. Modular, auxiliary lighting and D-ring mounts. Pretty much everything. And the one thing that connects them all, is that nothing really connects them all.
Everyone has their own opinion of what looks best and what works best.
That same sentiment can translate to your personal bumper hunt. Quick example, are you a daily driver? Then chances are you won’t need something complicated with extended pieces, a stinger, or grille guard. Or winch. Not only would those things be overkill, but they also add weight and reduce gas mileage. Plus, bumpers in a non-hoop tubular or rock design offer a clean front look while still providing more than adequate protection.
However, if you are looking for something more – whether for off road purposes or just to get that rugged-type look – then modular bumpers or ones with added enhancements like grille and fender protection, even a front stinger design, can all help protect against potential trail damage while providing superior on road coverage. These additional bars normally have tabs for auxiliary lighting and many bumpers have recessed middle sections to place a winch for recovery situations.
Then comes the size choice, as there are bumpers which run from full length, to mid-width, to stubby. Modular styles even give you the ability to customize to all three types. Full size offers the best protection and run to the outside of each tire. Mid-width ones generally span from the inside of each tire, providing adequate protection while opening up the tire areas to give better clearance and approach angles for the off road crowd. Stubby bumpers give the least amount of coverage, just the front face area which helps reduce weight somewhat, and they also allow the same type of tire clearance as mid-width.
Finally, material. Most Jeep bumpers are made of steel, either gloss or power coated black with some even stainless. Others consist of aluminum. Heavy duty steel bumpers are generally less expensive and designed to minimize the effects of impacts – whether trail or road – thanks to that strength. Aluminum bumpers are lighter but still retain strength, which helps put less strain on other parts of your vehicle.
So like we said, personal preference goes a long way towards determining what type of bumper will work best for you. Is there a definitive right or wrong? No, and the images below reflect that point. But determining your needs based on how you drive and what you want from the vehicle, will help ensure the perfect look and fit you deserve.
