Probably the Bestop Highlander.. I have that and it is big and brawny..!!

 

My only concern with stubby bumpers is when the trail gets a bit tight you don't have much protecting your fender flares from a limb kicking up or sliding down a hole and having your fender be the first point of contact.

This might be more of a question of where you wheel? I would think stubby bumpers are more for rock crawling and full length or 3/4 length bumpers would be more for trails having more wooded areas?

I'm leaning towards a full length only because I don't want my fenders to get ripped off. Maybe I'm wrong though, have you guys had many incidents with fenders getting ripped off?

 

I really really like the PJ and Schrock stubbies.....the Poly one isnt too bad either. I will wait to see what PSC comes with before deciding....and if my fenders get eaten becasue of it, good reason to get tube fenders.

 

If this is really your concern, I hardly think that a full width bumper would be the answer to it. Most likely, a full width bumper will prevent you from getting this far into the rough in the first place. And, if protecting your plastic flares is that much of a concern of yours, you might want to consider removing them prior to going wheeling - problem solved!

But why would a full width or 3/4" bumper be more for wooded ares? Stubby bumpers are designed for maximum approach angles and in my experience, this is something you absolutely want whether you're playing on the rocks or in the woods.

Well, I for one have never seen a fender get ripped off due to the lack of a full width front bumper. I have seen fenders get damaged from tires being too big and rubbing them and I have seen fenders get smashed on the side by trees and rocks and I have even seen fenders get munched in collisions to the front corner of a Jeep but, in those cases, even a full width bumper wouldn't have done much to protect your $100 plastic fender. Now, I'm not saying that it can't happen, I just haven't see it and in my humble opinion, I still think that greater approach angle is far more important than protecting cheap plastic fenders that can actually be removed if keeping them nice is that much of a concern

 

Are there any street legal issues with stubbys?

 

I'd also like to know if it's legal to drive on the street without fenders.

 

Not that I know of but then, every state is a bit different.

Yes, in most states it is definitely a fix-it ticket if you have your tires sticking out beyond your fender flares. Most cops won't bother you with this but the potential of a ticket is there. You should check with your state laws to see if they have any rules against it.

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but I have not seen a Purejeep bumper so I am trying to conceptualize the whole thing. I was under the impression from the individual that you jumped on, that the D-ring mount was bolted on to the front of the bumper.

Your reply gives me the impression that the D-ring mount bolts directly to the Jeep frame. From your reply I envision something like long bolts going through the D-ring mount plate, through the boxed bumper and then connecting to the Jeep frame. Is that right or do I have everything all screwed up?

 

I understand that you recommend stubby front bumpers and that you recommend against full bumpers and ¾ bumpers.
What is your advice and reasoning on rear bumpers?

 

Quick question, regarding weight.

Doesn't the full bumper increase weight which decreases overall power? I noticed that the Jeeps only have 202 hp. Adding 35 inch tires, front and rear bumpers, tire carriers, roof racks.. etc must add an additional 300-400 lbs to the vehicle. I use this weight because the tires are rotational mass and each lb of increased weight not to mention the diameter increase is equivalent to 7lbs of dead weight.

Does this not matter at all? How much does power matter in terms of off roading? Although I wouldn't want my Jeep rediculously sluggish on the streets.

Sorry if I am off base, just a newb trying to learn.