Looking at these two front and back options for my 2015 Rubicon. I have factory bumpers now, Eliminating away with the factory tire mount.I have a 35 inch tire to install, Iam also looking at the Badland Apex winch. I know there are possibly better and more expensive options out there. Curious what others think about these two and what would compare. One concern is the tire carrier and how it will hold up on trails hitting holes and going over obstacles . Going to be a weekend worrier hitting light duty trails etc. Links at bottom.





Barricade Jeep Wrangler Trail Force HD Front Bumper with LED Lights J102909 (07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK) - Free Shipping
YITAMOTOR Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier & Linkage for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK | eBay

 

Bumpers are one of the few areas that people can kinda "cheap out" if that is what they want. Can't say that about many other things in relation to a jeep build. I'm not going to criticize subjective looks that people may or many not want, but I would say that ET is one of the worst retailers IMO, and you might want to rethink the idea of a bumper that is going to overlap your grill like this -



If you can find something that allows you to remove your grille without having to remove your bumper I'd suggest it. For different reasons, I have to remove my front bumper and winch in order to get the grille off and I can tell you first hand that just sucks.

In the rear, unless you are just in love with the looks of a big spare on the back, you may want to consider not carrying that spare around. The reality is you're carrying a lot of extra weight and paying a decent bit of money to do so both in equipment and lost fuel economy. If you have a good tire, the odds of needing that spare are close to nill.

If you are set on having that spare with you, I think it's more important to really consider a quality carrier, cuz this is one of those things you're going to get what you pay for. Front bumper you can go cheap on, but that carrier is performing some real function. The price on that rear with a tire carrier seems cheaper than cheap, and it just makes me question how and why is it so cheap relative to others Chinese things. They gotta be cutting corners somewhere.

In regard to winches, not everybody can afford or justify a Warn for their use. No question they are the best. I see a lot of people say good things about the Badlands winches. I have had a Smittybilt X20 10k with synthetic line since 2015, and it's fit the bill for what I've needed.

 

Appreciate all the advice. The good .The bad and the ugly. Price is not number one when it comes down to it. Im just looking for something that is going to work well. The spare tire thing I actually considered not to carry it around.. Maybe pass on the rear bumper/tire combo thing and focus on a better front bumper set up. Stubby vs semi and full length is something else I m deciding on.

 

I was "spareless" for years and years. I carried a good plug kit with my trail tools. I liked the spareless look and the fact that I saved all that weight was just a bonus, in addition to having a lot better view out the back.

Last year I reluctantly added a spare back on, and boy howdy....it sux. Granted, it's a heavy 37 that blocks most my view. Long story as to why and it doesn't matter. That also shaved a decent bit off my rear lift height. There are always a lot of variables to consider.

 

Yeah actually previous owner ran with none. He said what is the chances you get a flat these tires, I can always toss it in the back if I go on a long road trip. I always carry a plug so thats that. At least for now. Now to decide on that bumper? winch set up.

 

Concerning "One concern is the tire carrier and how it will hold up on trails hitting holes and going over obstacles", as I mentioned in your other thread, you have aftermarket tire carrier reinforcement. Did you identify what reinforcement is in the inside of the tailgate?

It's up to you if you want to move to a bumper-mounted tire carrier. I have one myself. But generally tailgate reinforcement is plenty good for 35's. So spending the extra money is up to you.

 

Im not sure I know what reinforcement you are talking about.

 

OK. That makes it clear. I'm on the same page now. The previous owner put on the Rough Country tire carrier "reinforcement" kit and deleted the tire bumpers. Those bolt heads where the bumpers went are just decorative. There is no hinge reinforcement, and that is where the problems are when putting on 35+ and beating the bumps. Thanks for sharing.

...now for the bumpers. I do have a few opinions on those.

For the front, I prefer the minimalist approach and like the stub bumpers. I have a "mid-width" bumper and sometimes wish I had gone smaller. A stub saves a bit of weight, which can help offset some of the winch penalty. A stub gives clear access for the front tires so they can approach unhindered to obsticals. But if you live where you'll be beating trees and brush, then a full-width might make more sense.

I'm in the "not having a spare is good if you wheel with a friend that has one that fits" camp. I haven't had too many flats on the trail, but it does take more than one hand to count the times I would have been thoroughly screwed if I didn't have one. A plug won't help sidewall cuts. A plug won't help a busted valve stem. A plug won't help a bent or broken wheel. I've had them all, but over the course of many years of wheeling. I can only think of one time where a plug would have worked. One.

Having said that, I obviously like to have a bumper that can carry and support the weight of the spare. But wheeling with many friends has taught me one thing - if you cheap out on the tire carrier you WILL have problems. Maybe minor, like a lot of noise and rattles. But I've seen a few single-ended mounts that have bent or broken on the trail. So I prefer a bumper spare carrier that is supported on both sides when closed. I have a Pure Jeep carrier on mine, but they are very pricey now.

Good luck in finding what works for you!

 

Thanks again. There are just so many brands and types to choose from and if your new to the jeep life it can be overwhelming. I want to focus on my front bumper/winch set up now. Then maybe the rear

 

Smittybilt Jeep Wrangler XRC Winch Front Bumper 76806 (07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK)

Im looking at this. Thoughts any one ?