LOL!! Ummm, well of course there are scenarios where a full width bumper will protect you, they do after all offer "full-width" protection. And, if that's what's more important to you, wonderful, I don't know if I ever tried to claim that a shorty offered any protection at all. Afterall, that isn't the point of a shorty bumper.

Sorry, but no. Now, if I saw one installed on a members Jeep who doesn't have such close ties to AEV, maybe that would help... but then, why does my confidence need to be helped?

Sorry, but I'm not talking about a hit on the "outside edge" or the "end of a frame rail." For the 3rd time, I am talking about a direct head on center hit right between the crush cans from a pole or a tree or the corner of another vehicle or otherwise. In a common situation like this, a situation where the crush cans are missed entirely, you could still get a "happy face of airbags." Once again, even with the crush cans on your Jeep, they are only as good as if they get hit.

LOL!! And these are supposed to tell me what? Or, were you under the impression that AEV was the only company that uses CAD to develop their bumpers?

Okay, in all seriousness, I think it's safe to say that we all know you absolutely LOVE the AEV bumper, maybe know a guy or two who works there and will defend it's merits to no end while talking down the design of lesser bumper manufacturers. I'm sure if pulmano1 has any other questions regarding AEV, you're the guy to talk to

 

I too think the AEV bumper looks great and like the full width protection, however, I question the strength compaired to some of the others. I have seen pictures of the open back side of the AEV and side support bar. I can't wait to see on in person and how they do on the trails. That goes for the Fab-fours bumper too.

 

When people are talking about full width protection, what are they referring to?
Seems to me like anything that sticks out past the body tub would be more of a liability than anything else. I would rather replace a cheap fender flare than a $1200. bumper. I just don't see the advantage of something like the AEV other than the bling factor. I can see taking that greasy turn and sliding a little more that I would have liked, catching the end of my full width $1200. bumper on that tree adding a new bend that doesn't really flow with the others. That same slow bump on the tire and I just mutter something under my breath, back up, get back on line and keep going. Maybe have to get an alignment when I get home. At least I'm not shelling out another $1200. to replace a deformed bumper.

 

Because grinding is time consuming & labor intensive (robots cant do it).


Anyone here know what material the AEV bumper is made of? This factoid seems conspicuously absent from all the descriptions I've seen.

 

Speaking From Personal Experience, In May of 2006 I hit a deer, I was going 55 mph, and I had a Home made Full width Bumper and when everything was said an done there was no damage to the Jeep. The Insurance did infact total the bumber though, they replaced my home made Bumper with the Body Armor Full width Bumper with all the hoops. Then on December 26, 2006 a Cadilac Escalade made a left hand turn in front of me I hit the Cadilac, $13000.00 damage to the Cadilac, $4000.00 damage to the Jeep.

I know I made my case for the AEV bumper, I have never had a problem with approach angle either. I like the protection of a full width Bumper.
Papabear

 

Naw, in all fairness, the AEV bumper is made out of what I believe is 11 guage stamped steel. And, because it is stamped, it is really quite strong.

 

How does a "full width" offer any more body protection than say a 3/4 width bumper? Seems to me that once you have the body covered in front you would be good. Kinda like the old saying about anything more than a mouthful being a waste :toung:
I will say that I do love the look of the AEV.

 

Well, I think you've made your case for you're desire to protect your Jeep from hitting a dear or Cadilac and with a 2x4 constructed Body Armor bumper, I'm sure that it would. But, inspite of how strong a stamped steel bumper may be, I personally doubt it'll protect your Jeep in the same way. If anything, I would imagine that it's crumpling would protect you better as it would help absorb an impact better.

As far as approach angles go, I have no doubt that your 2x4 constructed Body Armor or even home made full width bumper that you had on your TJ would have provided you with very good approach angles as a 2x4 is slim. However, you cannot deny that not having a bumper where your tires are would give you virtually a 90° approach. Also, we're not talking about the TJ here but rather a JK and a JK with a HUGE front bumper that literally goes from edge to edge is much taller unlike a 2x4. Even looking at the CAD drawings you can see that it's approach angle would be just a little better than stock and a stock Rubicon with 32" tires is just under 45°. Heck, even with my WARN front bumper (which in reality isn't a complete full width bumper), I have already had it get in the way of rocks I've been trying to climb on moderate trails. Granted, bigger tires would help improve this a lot, but I think you're kidding yourself if think it won't be an issue. Or, at least I should say, it has been an issue for me so far.

 

"I have already had it get in the way of rocks I've been trying to climb on moderate trails. Granted, bigger tires would help improve this a lot, but I think you're kidding yourself if think it won't be an issue. Or, at least I should say, it has been an issue for me so far. "

Kidding myself, hmmmmm (I Love A Good DeBate ) I guess, wayoflife, that I have only owned Long Wheel Based Jeeps and I expect contact with Rocks, Ledges, and such, especially the rear Bumper. The LJ has a 10 inch rear overhang which the TJ does not. The New JK has the Same and is longer so I expect I will have some issueas well, I choose to have the LONG WHEEL BASE so I then Choose to have these problems. I guess I have Never really notice any other way. Papabear

 

That's the point I was trying to make, the AEV "may" only "help" reduce the chance of an unnecessary airbag deployment and not will. And, for what it's worth, MOPAR and FabFour has included this in their designs as well.

Oh come on, it was just a slight jab in the ribs and why I included the "". But, when you say things like "A lot of us like the AEV because it is attractive.... but in this case beauty is more than skin deep. There's a lot of engineering behind this design" in the context of promoting AEV, it sounds a lot like you're suggesting that other manufacturers don't put a lot of engineering behind their designs. Or, at least, that's how it sounded to me.

In all honesty, I apologize if I've offended you as it was not my intent. I guess when I hear language like "I think there is a great amount of confusion regarding the crush cans, their purpose, and why AEV is paying so much attention to them - and why other vendors should too" especially in the context of language like "AEV is paying a lot of attention to the preservation of the safety attributes of the OEM bumper design", I see a guy talking down other bumper manufacturers for making a "lesser" design at best and a design that is unsafe at worst. And, I find that kind of scare tactic to show your bumper of choice in a better light irresponsible. But hey, that's just me and how your comments sounded to me.