I mean come on, can no one design a nice looking bumper that sells for a fair price that is not a complete nightmare to install? Ok some maybe able to respond with bumbers that are just OK that they may have purchased but none that I believe look good like the AEV and the Fabfour without the massive sticker price and install head aches.......

here is my issue....
IMO I love the AEV bumper and although the initial price is a bit on the high side it is still in a range I would pay.... but add shipping costs, install costs (please no comments about installing myself, just not my thing and have heard guys that wrench took two days to install this puppy with welding, grinding, crush can head aches), taxes on the purchase and the latest news the front winch insert plate costs.... I have no plans to run a winch which leaves and open gap in the front of the AEV bumper so they will sell you a front plate for I believe $100+ to fill in the space. The purchase price, shipping costs, plate cost, install costs, taxes etc just makes it a tough nut to swallow here...Not sure about install on the Fabfour but that bumper will have the same or more shipping costs, install costs as well plus an initial price that is much higher then the AEV...

Anyway, can some one for the love of god come out with a decent front bumper, that looks nice, functional, that is not a nightmare to install and not going to put buyers in the poor house.... anyone have any leads on other bumper options on the way, anything worth holding out for? thanks everyone...

I have seen some nice stubby options out there that look functional as heck but not the look I like.....

 

DITTO But, you might check out the smittybilt. Not quite as cool as AEV or Fab Fours (which are my top choices) but a ton cheaper

 

I finally broke down and just got the Jeep Rock Bumper without the winch. $400 bucks out the door and I'll install some fog lights on it.

 

whew.... good thing i like the stock bumper!

 

Take a chill pill and wait. The "hideously ugly" stock bumper seems to be doing it job well for me and apparently isn't too ugly for non-forum members because I'm still getting nice comments on my rig wherever I drive it. Sure, I'd like a different bumper as well but why get gouged for $1000 or more when there will be numerous, less expensive choices in a few months.

 

I am still waiting on the Shrockworks stubby with lights if they ever get it done.
I like the current one they offer, i just want the internal fogs (i always seem to break the other kind)

*drums fingers on desk*

hint-hint... poke-poke... c'mon guys...

 

This is gonna sound like a newb question, but don't stubbies alow the front tires to kick up a whole lot of crap onto the flenders and hood? I live several miles down a dirt road and the top of my stock bumper, directly in front of the tires, is always covered in mud. I know, I know.....its suppossed to look better covered in mud

 

$1000.00 for a bumper????? holy crap! thats like... a ton of gas money... or a new AR, or a bunch of ammo.

but, i guess its a personal preference. is the AEV really that much???

 

Yes, it will allow the tires to throw debris further out in front of the Jeep, which would translate into more that could blow up onto the fenders (possibly the hood as well i suppose). How much more? i really cant say with certainty, but i believe that would be related to your speed as well. Faster through the muck, more blowing around in front of you, etc. etc.

A friend of mine here at work has an '04 with a stubby, he drives about twice as far as i do to work, his doesnt appear to get any more or less dirty than mine does though.

 

u forgot to add in ur rant (or i missed it) almost anything u buy right now has some kind of delay status or back order on it and getting a part quickly just doesnt seem to happen often