Does anyone have the AEV front bumper? I had me eye on getting one, but then, I saw how Js Morrisett plowed into a tree and had to get a new one. I hit a tree (hahahahahaha! It WAS funny) on the Bethel Jamboree and it looked like someone punched my bumper in the nose. Anyroads, I was talking to Texsdream and he recommended the modular jobber from RR because if you plow into a tree and bend the end, you can just replace ONLY the bent tip. I was wondering if anyone with an AEV bumper has had any unexpected meetings with trees, and how they fared?? I hear this one is strong. I really didn't hit the tree hard, and it only punched in the front of the lame stock job. It didn't bend the end at all. I'll post a pic if I can figure out how to do it.
Thanks!!

Vedo

ps. Bethel Jamboree was a BLAST!!

 

as you know, the ends of the factory bumper are just plastic and will just bend/mush in. the AEV bumper is made out of stamped steel and if hit on the end, enough damage can occur to it that replacement would be necessary.

 

As is the same with any bumper, including the Rugged Ridge. If you hit that hard enough on the end you could cause the areas where the and mates to the bumper or mess up the holes you need to run the bolts through. You could get a stubby, but I can't imagine placing that kind of strain onto the axle.

 

I have "Pushed" a few trees and the bark gives well before the bumper, but with anything, you reach your limits eventually.

 

too true. regardless of what bumper you run, if you hit something hard enough, you are probably going to screw something up

 

that is exactly why I still run my factory rear.. im going to run it until it gets messed up (Or I hit the Lotto)

 

I have the AEV bumper and have installed a ton of them also. They are stamped steel but very well made and I would have to say it will hold up very well.

David

 

While I realize the obvious limitations of ANY bumper, I'm just looking for opinions of those who have them to get an idea of how they perform on the trail. I've heard stories from some who have pre-runners or tube cages on their bumpers that those things are next to impervious and actually bump the front end away from whatever it hits, vice crinkling in the side. I was wondering how sturdy it is compared to the MOPAR off-road bumper or the ARB. I live in the maryland, so there isn't much rock-crawling here, but we've got LOTS of trees and branches to get stuck in wheel wells, so, I'm not really considering a stubby. I also live in the City and paralell park every day at home, so vehicles with big fat stinger bumpers and the like are not easy to find a parking space for! Ha Ha!!) While I realize that anything will fail if you whack it hard enough, I really want to know if anyone thinks the AEV is just a mall-crawling, expensive piece of BLING, or if it'll hold up on the trail? Know what I mean? As an aside, I've read more than a few things about the Pintler wheels flaking with off-road use.

 

Since my name was mentioned here I'll chime in with my opinion. :-)

Before I bought the AEV, it was a toss-up between the Shrockworks stubby and the AEV. I decided on the AEV because I also live (and park) in the city. Those little plastic projections are nice, although my Jeep is now tall enough that any bump to another car cracks a taillight or dents a hood. If you don't have a lift, then it should be about the right height. I also decided on the AEV because our trails have a lot of trees, and I wanted the extra protection for the axle components. In the end, this is what saved me from really MAJOR breakage in Vermont. I hit that tree VERY HARD, going down a long hill VERY FAST. The AEV took the brunt of the damage and saved the axle, u-joint, inner/outter C, etc. And the air bags didn't go off! (thank god!) When it came time to buy another bumper, I absolutely wanted another AEV.

BTW, something to consider -- the AEV uses some structural bracing and bends in it's design to make it stronger. This allows them to use thinner steel and offer a lighter bumper. I recently bought a rear bumper that's made from 1/4" and OMG is it ever heavy!

js.

 

My 2007 Unlimited Jk has an AV font bumper that I put on shortly after purchasing the vehicle a year ago. I purchased the AEV bumper because liked the way it was designed and I needed a bumper to mount my winch on but I must say that I have not run into any trees with it but I have used the winch a couple of times. I will say that the AEV bumper is not exactly what I would call a bolt on, it does require some drilling.