I am looking at adding a LOD stubby signature series bumper with a Superwinch EPI9.0. I notice this will add about 150lbs to the front of the jeep. Many people add a front spacer to the suspension to make up for the added weight. (still debating if I will add a spacer or not. waiting to see) What I am wondering is if this added weight to the front will affect handling in any way?

 

The front end will drop. I added 3/4 inch spacers before my lift. When I did my lift I left the spacers in and I am glad I did. I also modified my Mopar front skid plate to fit the Rugged Ridge HD front bumper and winch when I added them.

 

I have not had any handling issues with my new Rugged Ridge XHD bumper w/ Warn xd9000i winch.

That said, the drop at the front is noticeable but I am planning on a coil lift eventually...still, the steering/handling has not changed IMO.

Cheers.

 

its not that bad, many guys including myself would say it doesn't affect handling, if you had some kind of machine you would notice that it does. but not enough to make it a problem.

 

Yeah - it makes a difference, but, not night and day.

Weight located out past the wheelbase is multiplied, as there is leverage exerted by the weight and the distance from the axle line.

The weight up front lowers the front, and raises the rear.

To put that in HANDLING perspective, it weights the front, and UN-WEIGHTS the rear.

That means in a decreasing radius curve or emergency maneuver, the rear end is SLIGHTLY more likely to come around on a hard swerve....and the front end is SLIGHTLY more likley to response to steering input more quickly, and bite into an initial steering input with more weight, etc.

(It increases oversteer/decreases understeer)

It can also SLIGHTLY increase braking distances, as weight transfer to the front occurs during braking, and proportionally, this increases the effect.

Analogously, a rear engine/rear drive Porche for example brakes great, but oversteers at the limit of adhesion.



150 lb is not much, so the effect is not worth worrying about unless you drive very aggressively, and have trouble compensating for changes. If autocrossing, you'd lose a fraction of a second, etc.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

I have the full length Warn bumper and powerplant, and haven't noticed any differences in handling. I also added the 3/4" spacers and kept them in after I put a lift in. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll also be purchasing a rear steel bumper, along with keeping a cooler in the back - it all works out in the end.

 

I suspected it would not be a noticeable difference, but I began to 2nd guess myself because my mind started thinking in terms of TEEJ's response (read above). But I suppose in reality, 150lbs wont make that big of difference. Thanks for the advice guys! I ordered the LOD shorty signature front bumper and Superwinch EPI9.0.

 

X2 When I put my Warn 9.5, the front is 1/2" lower, and I have the stock bumper.