The stubby fronts make sense from an articulation standpoint, and they're cheaper than full length ones, but are there drawbacks to using a stubby?

 

Not as much protection to front end if you are involved in an accident.

 

But the addition of a 3/16" thick steel plate stubby bumper kinda makes up for that. The only thing I'd worry about now is maybe accidentally driving over someones small car. Also, depending on the vehicle laws/restrictions in your area, they might not let you drive around in a stubby.

 

Would be fun to roll over a Prius once in awhile!

Did find this about Michigan bumper laws...
http://law.onecle.com/michigan/257-m...-257-710c.html

 

F#CK DA POPO :rotfl mao2:

 

Maybe not just in case of a vehicle accident, but just not as much protection for objects from the front--say a tree too close to your rig that takes off your front fender (don't ask how I know ...


).

Also, most (all?) stubbies don't accomodate factory fog lights. BTW, that's not actually a stubby--it's a Shrockworks mid-width. They do make a full-width and a stubby, too.

 

My Rugged Ridge XHD stubby accomodates the factory fog lights. The nice thing about it too, is that if I ever do get hassled for having a stubby bumper, I can just as easily bolt on the end caps and turn it into a full width bumper. Rugged Ridge is awesome that way!

 

I can't imagine running a full width on a trail. It is easier to put a tire on an object without a bumper in the way. The only place in front of my rig that I take hits is the outer edge of my mid width bumper. I have heard it that the more you wheel the shorter your bumper gets, and I can see that.

I do empathize withe the poster above who damaged a fender on a tree. It seems simple enough not to drive into a tree but sometimes you are so focused on something else, that a tree can jump out and whack your rig.

I don't like the Smittybilt bumper solution not for buil quality or anything but it weighs a ton. A Smittybilt bumper with both end pieces weighs 150 pounds. That's more than my Lod mid width (72 pounds) with a winch, and that 150 pounds on the Smittybilt is just for the bumper. Add a winch and that is a lot of weight on your front end.

I went with the Lod mid width over the Lod stubby as the Lod stubby weighs 99 pounds. Another good option is the PSC Brawler lite which comes in at 65 pounds. Weight is not the only factor, but it is one that is often overlooked IMO. You don't need your front end sagging.

 

PSC brawler lite is actually a mid width but shorter than most mid width. I thinks its closer to a stubby. But not only is it quite lite but it does accommodate factory fog lights.

 

x2 on the brawler lite...love that thing