Alright, here is the deal. I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on a front bumper, and having been doing the research. Here is what I have come up with as far as pro's and cons. Let me know if I left something out or just provide some additional input.

Front bumpers
1. AEV
Pro's- Really compliments the body style of the jeep, retains the factory foglights, made by a company known for making quality jeep products, retains factory crush cans.
Cons-When factoring all the costs (optional skid plate included for max protection), over $1300 plus shipping, read a post where installation was difficult or something to that effect because of the close contours, weight of bumper (couldn't find the weight, maybe somebody else knows)

2. Fab Fours
Pros- Looks to provide the most complete protection (might not even need any additional skid like AEV, Mopar, Warn offers), includes additonal fog and turn signal lights that are located in the bumper
Cons- Heavy (140 pounds), looks freakin huge, but agressive, and expensive, over $1200 plus shipping

3. Mopar
Pros- Relatively inexpensive compared to the others (Roughly $800 plus shipping including the additional skid), retains factory crush cans, looks nice
Cons- Have to buy additional fog lights or fab the factory ones

4. Warn
Pros- Also cheaper than AEV/FabFour (Roughly $1000 plus shipping includes the optional grill guard, foglights, winch mount, skid plate)
Cons- Same as mopar

5. Jeeperman
Pros- Price ($600 for the stubby, $700 for full width), stubby version, can add grill guard and/or hood guard, but additional $$
Cons- No foglight provisions

6. Shrockrocks
Pros- Stubby, no addtional winch plate needed, built in light tabs, has standard skid plate, and offers winch hoop for additional $$ (basically $621 plus shipping for all of the above) Update: Future plans look to include incorporating factory foglights within the bumper
Cons- Don't see any, supposed to start shipping this month

7. LOD
Pros- Full width and stubby version (soon), with build in skid plate, cut outs to reuse the factory foglights, available nose/brush guard hoops for additional$$ ($400 plus shipping, no pricing for hoops yet)., Cheapest out there for what you get.
Cons- Don't see any other than waiting for the hoops/stubby coming out.


These are about the only ones that I am condsidering (can't find out awhole lot about the expeditionary one other than the website--otherwise I would have put it in here)

 

I like AEV's, you can put a towe bar, Mopars, onto it. Papabear

Nice write up.

 

Well, I'm not entirely sure what the question is here or if there even is one but of the bumpers you have listed, I can tell you this:

1. The AEV bumper looks nice but if you plan on wheeling your Jeep on the rocks, having a full width bumper is NOT an advantage. In fact, it will prevent you from nosing up your tires up to an obstical and achieving greater approach angles. Also, in addition to the high price, I don't know if anyone has a clue as to when they will be shipping. And last but not least, the crush cans DO NOT activate your air bags and they are only as good as if they are actually hit. In other words, if you hit a tree dead on, they do nothing. Need I say, I personally don't think this feature is even worth noting.

2. The FabFours bumper is very well made but MONSTEROUSLY huge, EXTREMELY expensive and just itching to get in the way of every rock you encounter even with a big lift and big tires. Plus, the excessive weight of it alone will be enough to cause your front end to sag about an inch. Add a winch and you can expect to see even more.

3. The Mopar bumper is a basic full width bumper that works and is relatively affordable and my only real beef with it is in the details. I honestly don't know why they would have chosen to finish up the ends with the exposed welds the way they do. But hey, that' just me being nit-picky.

4. I have the WARN bumper now and I do like it a lot but it is pretty expensive, pretty heavy and a bit too wide for my taste. I'm still running stock 32" tires and it's width has already gotting in the way for me on the trail and it's weight with PowerPlant winch has caused my front end to sag 3/4". But, it does look good and it is made extremely well. Also, I was able to re-use my factory fog lights without any problems or modification.

5. I have not seen the new Jeeperman front bumper in person but it being a stubby is a plus for me as you would get maximum approach angles, lighter weight and lower cost. The inability to re-use the factory fogs is probably the biggest downside.

Don't know if that helps or not, but they are just my opinons

 

Good catch. Just checked out there website and looks to be a real nice bumper. Will add to the list (this just might be the one, stubby version with foglight mounts, grill/winch hoop guard, and included winch plate)

Also, wayoflife brings up good points about full width bumpers. In my neck of the woods there are lots of deer on roadways in the fall/winter, and was thinking full width would give me the most protection, but I think that the stubby with a grill guard/winch guard at my ride height should be adequate.

 

You can also check out LoD. They are working on the hoops and grill guards but dont have any to sell right now though.

 

I agree! I am surprised they weren't on your list as they are my favorite so far.(Fab Four was at first, but my taste is changing to a lighter stubby type bumper)

I believe, Shrockworks is also coming out with an extended stubby so you can keep the factory fogs. Not to mention they offer the RUBIMON suggested, winch opening cover plate so you can add a winch down the road for minimum hassle. I'm still trying to get them to cut RUBIMON into the plate but I don't think that is going to happen! But hey, at least they listen to ideas, I like that.

I too have the Shrockworks sliders and I can't believe I'm sitting here typing instead of putting them on! They are rock solid. I can't wait to see how well they protect my doors at the mall!

 

I cant believe you are not putting them on either!!!!!

 

same, will be ordering stubby soon

 

The Warn Bumper can use the factory fog lights. Also as for the winch mount you can actually put it right on the bumper. The only thing the plate is for is to hold the fairlead. I personally bought a kilby plate (RFM-1) for a TJ. Since it mounts via the 4 standard winch holes it's not a problem. It was also a lot cheaper, lighter, better looking.

 

Here is my Warn front bumper with factory fog lights.