New minimalist rear bumper idea

[Spinedoc44]

Ok guys, so I know this has been talked about a little bit on here but I have yet to seen anyone talk about my specific idea. I have attached some pictures below. What if a guy could remove the rear bumper, paint and clean up the rear crossmember and then trim and reattach the side molding wings to give it a more finished look.

I stole these off Instagram. Basically do just what this guy has done but then somehow find a way to trim and reattach the side of the bumper to make it look more finished. I know some 80s guys actually trim that lower body panel corner but I don’t want to go quite that extreme.

Would be an extremely affordable lightweight option they could still look utilitarian and rugged without looking like a hack job.

Thoughts?

 

[abuck99]

 

[Spinedoc44]

My issue mainly is how to securely reattach the wings…haven’t crawled under there yet to look

 

[peacesells63]

Whats the benefit? I see less clearance than a 4x4labs bumper and no protection.

 

[Spinedoc44]

Just cost mainly. Something to try to see if I like. Before dropping a grand and adding weight to the truck

 

[Spinedoc44]

Another option is something like this…got everything to build that except a dang tube bender

 

[suprarx7nut]

These sorts of bumper removal/trim jobs are popular with the GX crowd it seems. They can look pretty good. I would take your idea and instead of cutting off the bumper and reattaching the wings, just leave most the bumper and trim away the bottom.

Problem is, trim or complete removal, it offers zero protection. You could argue it even removes the minimal factory protection of the bumper cover. So it's not really doing what a proper armor bumper does, it just reduces the risk of bending/tugging on the plastic bumper cover.

As with sliders, the goal for most people is to allow you to try tough obstacles without the fear of causing catastrophic body damage. If you just remove the bumper you can improve your breakover angle, but if you misjudge something you might do some huge $$ damage. The price of even the expensive armor bumpers will pale in comparison to a crushed rear quarter/frame fix. A proper steel bumper eliminates that risk - and adds the benefit of looking good and potentially storing stuff to increase the usability of your vehicle.

 

[Spinedoc44]

Excellent thoughts. Appreciate the commentary

 

[Spinedoc44]

I did get the idea from the GX guys

 

[OneWheelPeel]

I have been thinking about something similar for the front bumper actually, like cutting the bottom edge. I get the protection argument but I cant get over the added weight of the beefy bumpers. I’ve always had the car projects where the goal was to add lightness.

 

[Spinedoc44]

Yea realistically the front bumper has a very respectable approach angle. There’s a guy that did the rubicon with the stock front bumper.

I’m mainly looking for clearance, and it’s free to see if I like it.

If only I had a damn tube bender I’d weld a mini tube bumper like above on in a hot minute

 

[saucebox]

I have been thinking about something similar for the front bumper actually, like cutting the bottom edge. I get the protection argument but I cant get over the added weight of the beefy bumpers. I’ve always had the car projects where the goal was to add lightness.

I get what you mean, but mine clocks in at 7k pounds for trails. If your springs are set to carry the weight, it doesn't seem to make much difference on handling, trail capability, etc. She's built for it.

I have a Jeep buddy (yeah, I know) that still thinks lightness is everything. But he hasn't been able to lose me yet. We don't treat them like buggies though.

(Current condition excepted, ran that heavy for years on IFS)

 

[GTV]

I have been thinking about something similar for the front bumper actually, like cutting the bottom edge. I get the protection argument but I cant get over the added weight of the beefy bumpers. I’ve always had the car projects where the goal was to add lightness.

I’ve come from the same car world, I can relate

I think it’s a great minimalist approach and could look really good on a 100. It’s better than nothing at all.

 

[OwnerCS]

I get what you mean, but mine clocks in at 7k pounds for trails. If your springs are set to carry the weight, it doesn't seem to make much difference on handling, trail capability, etc. She's built for it.

I have a Jeep buddy (yeah, I know) that still thinks lightness is everything. But he hasn't been able to lose me yet. We don't treat them like buggies though.

(Current condition excepted, ran that heavy for years on IFS)

The Achilles heel for me in off-roading has been the factory receiver hitch. I only keep it for the outside chance that I might need to use it to pull someone or something. I never scraped or dragged on rocks even with a big Dobinsons rear bumper. I remember frantically installing the factory receiver hitch before making a trip to the San Juan Mountains last summer only to have it become a drag in certain areas. I think I weighed in somewhere between 6,900 and 7.000 lbs when floating down Black Bear Pass. With the proper build, it can handle like a sports truck.

 

[Spinedoc44]

Mine is also still a DD so I’m trying to keep it on the lighter side

 

[OwnerCS]

Mine is also still a DD so I’m trying to keep it on the lighter side

A good point to note for the use case. Some are built to be strictly used for off-roading and see less than 5,000 miles a year.

 

[saucebox]

Mine is also still a DD so I’m trying to keep it on the lighter side

Understandable, mine too. I actually thought all this crap would cost me mileage somewhere, but if it has, it's something like 0.1-0.2 MPG. Weight doesn't seem to have any effect on it at all—maybe more frequent brake pad changes?

 

[Kabanstva]

Understandable, mine too. I actually thought all this crap would cost me mileage somewhere, but if it has, it's something like 0.1-0.2 MPG. Weight doesn't seem to have any effect on it at all—maybe more frequent brake pad changes?

You really only lost 0.1mpg while adding an extra 1,500lbs over factory weight? That hasn’t been my experience lol. I lost a good 3-5mpg. I’m happy to average high 10s-mid 11s on road trips. Stock was like 14-15.5 highway. 33s, full armor, etc.

 

[saucebox]

You really only lost 0.1mpg while adding an extra 1,500lbs over factory weight? That hasn’t been my experience lol. I lost a good 3-5mpg. I’m happy to average high 10s-mid 11s on road trips. Stock was like 14-15.5 highway. 33s, full armor, etc.

The only significant difference I've ever seen is before and after regearing the diffs. Very low 13s before (and less even in 4LO, especially in long stretches), 14.5 now. Same weight in both cases.

It surprised me as well. I added all that junk and just knew that I'd lose mileage.

 

[gungriffin]

I tend to see about 12.5 at 85 and something approaching 14 at 65-70. At about 50 I am usually in the mid to upper 14s for MPG. I am regeared with a lot of additional weight and some pretty bad aero additions. Most of the MPGs seem to depend more on speed. If local highway speeds are 60, then the MPGs look good. Down in TX with the 80 MPH speed limits, not so much.