Why does every bumper look the same?

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I, personally, wasn't interested in a bull bar. Not yet at least. Maybe in the future I'll add one when the need arises, but I'm happy with what I have for now. It's done it's job already.

I'm not a bull bar fan either (which you know). I usually only run a very low center hoop, if anything. Most bull bars are not triangulated properly and do more damage than prevention in an accident.

J

 

[Markuson]

I, personally, wasn't interested in a bull bar. Not yet at least. Maybe in the future I'll add one when the need arises, but I'm happy with what I have for now. It's done it's job already.

For me & in my thinking...the full bar "need arises" without warning...from behind a bush...over a fence...or around a tree...and splatters either around your bull-bar...or possibly around your lap. I've just had too many close calls to wait until those needs arise.

It's a personal thing though. It's not like we don't also drive unprotected cars, etc. It's just that for us...if we are driving for hundreds and hundreds of miles--they are likely to be in critter country, and we will absolutely be in my LC for those trips. So...bull bar it is.

That said... Gotta say again that for a non-bull-bar bumper? You have got the best looking bumper I've seen that has significant strength to it. Looks awesome, and clearly quality work.

 

[TonyP]

For me & in my thinking...the full bar "need arises" without warning...from behind a bush...over a fence...or around a tree...and splatters either around your bull-bar...or possibly around your lap. I've just had too many close calls to wait until those needs arise.

It's a personal thing though. It's not like we don't also drive unprotected cars, etc. It's just that for us...if we are driving for hundreds and hundreds of miles--they are likely to be in critter country, and we will absolutely be in my LC for those trips. So...bull bar it is.

That said... Gotta say again that for a non-bull-bar bumper? You have got the best looking bumper I've seen that has significant strength to it. Looks awesome, and clearly quality work.

I'm thinking if you hit a deer at speed, regardless of a bull bar or not, it's going to cause some serious damage to the vehicle. Will a deer flying into an open grill be safer for the occupant than a bull bar? Not sure. Possibly. Either way the vehicle is hosed, that's for sure. Will it save a few dents and dings in a fender bender? Sure, but I have Gieco for that.

But yeah, I agree, it's a personal thing. Like I said, I'm not totally against them and wouldn't speak badly against anyone who wants one. In years to come, you might see one on mine. I've learned to not rule out any legitimate modification.

And thanks, that's all Jason, I just send the dollar bills his way

 

[Markuson]

I'm thinking if you hit a deer at speed, regardless of a bull bar or not, it's going to cause some serious damage to the vehicle. Will a deer flying into an open grill be safer for the occupant than a bull bar? Not sure. Possibly. Either way the vehicle is hosed, that's for sure. Will it save a few dents and dings in a fender bender? Sure, but I have Gieco for that.

But yeah, I agree, it's a personal thing. Like I said, I'm not totally against them and wouldn't speak badly against anyone who wants one. In years to come, you might see one on mine. I've learned to not rule out any legitimate modification.

And thanks, that's all Jason, I just send the dollar bills his way

My concern isn't vehicle damage (though it might mean a functional vehicle vs. non). My concern is primarily passenger safety. I've seen it first-hand, and it's pretty horrible. Alaska...only a few miles where my wife and I were driving on the same stretch of highway. A couple in their pick-up were both instantly killed by the rack of a critter. They call them "bull bars" or "roo bars" because they keep animal impacts at the front and away from the windshield (and passengers).

 

[TonyP]

My concern isn't vehicle damage. My concern is passenger death. I've seen it first-hand, and it's pretty horrible. Alaska...only a few miles where my wife and I were driving. A couple in their pick-up were both instantly killed by the rack of a critter.

I hear ya. Those large animals can be worse than a vehicle on vehicle crash. Was it a moose? A flailing 1400lb animal is not to be trifled with for sure.

 

[Markuson]

I hear ya. Those large animals can be worse than a vehicle on vehicle crash. Was it a moose? A flailing 1400lb animal is not to be trifled with for sure.

It was a large caribou. A moose would be even worse...but the caribou was enough. Ugh...

 

[LALC]

This looks like the 2016+ TJM. Wow, it looks very nice. I'm actually leaning more towards it than the 2016+ ARB just based on looks. Can't really find any in-depth documentation or info on it, though. =(

 

[LALC]

Looks like that's an australian model 200. Still no pics or video on a USA model! Bummer.

 

[brasskey]

Looks like that's an australian model 200. Still no pics or video on a USA model! Bummer.

I have install docs on the 2016+ full replacement and bumper cut. The full replacement is out and the bumper cut should come soon. Wes can help bring one over. I am waiting on the bumper cut as I'm leaning towards that.

 

[indycole]

This looks like the 2016+ TJM. Wow, it looks very nice. I'm actually leaning more towards it than the 2016+ ARB just based on looks. Can't really find any in-depth documentation or info on it, though. =(

I recently got pricing and an install guide from the TJM rep in San Diego. I'm thinking about it as well.

 

[rhllc]

That's a big part of it. Another part of it is the cost and ease of manufacturing. There are many compound curves on the vehicle, however material is most often sold in sheets, and tubes of various shapes. One can only do so much with sheets and tubes. To go beyond that, you need specialized equipment to make shapes. For example, if you want a sheet rolled into a curve, you need a plate roller. To make various radius curves with various materials, you need various dies. Not only is the equipment expensive, the tooling to make the equipment do what you want it to do is expensive.

I have a friend who makes Jeep bumpers as a hobby. He's in that market because Jeeps are pervasive. The equipment necessary to make some relatively simple pieces, in volume and repeatable, exceeded $50,000, and his stuff has no curves to it.

The big players with the money to invest in equipment set the trend in what's made and how it looks.

This, the only aftermarket stamped steel bumpers I'm aware of are those AEV does for Jeep JKs and RAM pickups. It takes major league equipment.



Since creating curves in more than one dimension in a off-roadable material is expensive, everyone ends up working with the same planes and angles, and all the bumpers end up looking similar.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

This, the only aftermarket stamped steel bumpers I'm aware of are those AEV does for Jeep JKs and RAM pickups. It takes major league equipment.



Since creating curves in more than one dimension in a off-roadable material is expensive, everyone ends up working with the same planes and angles, and all the bumpers end up looking similar.

Major equipment! I was able to take a tour of AEV's Michigan production facility, unreal... like unreal

 

[cruiseroutfit]

CBI has some very tidy low profile offerings on the market soon too if not already available to order.

Don't mind me blocking the nice bumper. Standing at the Ecuator in Ecuador fwiw. I'll see if I have some other detail shots on my phone.

 

[ckkone]

I contacted CBI and got pricing, it does not sound like they are ready to ship and will need your vehicle on site for fitting.

• LC200 Front Bumper $2499.99

• Center grill protection add $150.00
• FGP Add$250.00
• Powder coating $250.00
• Aluminum Add- $400

• LC200 Rear Bumper $1999.99

• Dual swing arm $1499.99
• Single swing arm $999.99
• The rest of the accessories are the same
• Powder coat bumper and swing arm $350.00

 

[TonyP]

I contacted CBI and got pricing, it does not sound like they are ready to ship and will need your vehicle on site for fitting.

• LC200 Front Bumper $2499.99

• Center grill protection add $150.00
• FGP Add$250.00
• Powder coating $250.00
• Aluminum Add- $400

• LC200 Rear Bumper $1999.99

• Dual swing arm $1499.99
• Single swing arm $999.99
• The rest of the accessories are the same
• Powder coat bumper and swing arm $350.00

Oh my

 

[ckkone]

I really like this one, the polished trims matches the LC200 very well... then again I might be the only person on this forum that does not plan on blacking out anything, I like the chrome trim. Its made by Rhino 4x4, I've been chatting with them but don't have any pricing info yet.

Rhino 4×4 | Toyota Landcruiser 200 Front Evolution Bumper

 

[mark71]

I really like this one, the polished trims matches the LC200 very well... then again I might be the only person on this forum that does not plan on blacking out anything, I like the chrome trim. Its made by Rhino 4x4, I've been chatting with them but don't have any pricing info yet.

Rhino 4×4 | Toyota Landcruiser 200 Front Evolution Bumper

That's pretty sweet for a non-bull bar bumper. I really like the way the skid plate integrates with it. And I've always been a fan of painted bumpers (obviously). Love the almost-factory look.

But WTF is with the hood ornament on the white LC???

 

[TonyP]

That's pretty sweet for a non-bull bar bumper. I really like the way the skid plate integrates with it. And I've always been a fan of painted bumpers (obviously). Love the almost-factory look.

But WTF is with the hood ornament on the white LC???

No idea but I want one! Googling hood ornaments...

I do like that bumper though. Not sure of the strength though.

 

[Blasst]

yeah the old bumper question. If I had my choice I'd have one of Jason/Trail Tailors. They friggin rock. But I went with an Arb since they seem the beefiest and easier to get my hands on. Also I want as much protection as I can get. The number of deer in south Texas is insane. Off major highways just driving down paved roads at dusk I have counted around 100 in about 10 miles grazing by the road in groups of 4 or 6. You can't drive over 30 or 35 there are so many. They jump the fences and graze on the grass along roads.
The other day a guy on a motorcycle hit one, then a truck behind him ran over him. That was pretty freaky and was on a small paved road outside San Antonio. So I went with an Arb although there are none around right now Christo thinks it will be a month or 2. I wasn't ready to order a TJM and wait 6 months. I looked at the Dobsons and like them fine......but just went with the Arb after hearing about some wrecks and animal collisions it had been in.
Also we drive across big ranches a lot and are not on roads. We bash through brush and bushes and dry river beds so here we need a full brush guard.

 

[Mogwai]

Check the clearance/approach angles of Trail Tailor vs the TJM/ARB and Rhino. I'm a big fan of Jason's work, hoping he can pull off that large deal and start pumping these out.