In addition to my lift, I am looking at bumpers. I am pretty set on the winch (WARN M8000-S) but I prefer to keep the winch low. The reason being that the Pentastar seems to run hot at altitude (slow speed uphills mainly). Would a lower-set winch improve the airflow? If so, the AEV seems to be the lowest, even though I do not particularly like their bumpers. Next is probably the Expedition One and ARB. I like the Exp One, though there is not mention of Airbag compatibility with any but AEV and ARB. What do you guys think- am I overly concerned about the heat issue or is it legit?

Rear bumper- I am pretty set on the Exp One with tire carrier unless you guys have a better option. I'd like to get all this done next week. Thanks!

Oh, I will be running stock fenders for now (35 inch tires) and prefer full (first choice) or mid width in front.

 

I have the pentastar and my zeon10 covers half the grill. I haven't noticed any difference in heat even when off road. I'd get whatever one you want and if you notice a problem save up for the aev hood. That's my plan

 

I got the ARB on a '12 Rubi, and live in a much warmer weather. Never had any heating problem along hours of slow offroading the desert.
Its (rare) Airbag compatibility is a welcomed bonus.

Edit:
Offroading is a way of life in Australia. Aussie offroad products are typically very good, and tested for durability in a very hot climate.
I have 2 more Aussies in my Jeep -- a twin head ARB compressor and a Red Arc dual battery isolator -- both of which are heavy duty and have been working just fine from ~7 to 46 Celsius. After being parked in the sun, at 40+ Cel', it gets to 60+ Cel' inside the engine bay -- the isolator is OK with it.

 

I tend to over-analyze things, so thank you for the feedback and advice. This changes things a bit...in a good way.

 

I think the air bag compatibility label is a bit of a sham. Pretty confident that I have read numerous times that the air bag sensor is basically a g force sensor mounted in the center of the vehicle. There are no sensors leading to the bumper like some vehicles have.

I have the arb deluxe and that thing is absolutely solid steel, from pictures that I've seen of the ARB in accidents there is nearly no give in it either, it is solid. The only addition that I see it making it more 'airbag compatible' is the addition of plastic crush cans on the front. Possibly to slow the vehicle down a little if going sub 15 km/h? or if you happen to hit a pedestrian right there?

 

Nemesis Oddessey that is a warn powerplant so youres would sit much lower.

 

Interesting- keeps the stock fog lamps too.

 

LOD stubby keep the winch mounted inside the bumper and keeps factory fog light provisions.

 

 

Now my mind is free regarding the front bumper. Rethinking the rear though. I was pretty set on the Exp One. However, it is attached to the stock latch...I wonder if that is too much weight on the stock latch. Maybe not, but the Metalcloak concept is pretty cool- it latches on the the bumper itself and swings on two bearings. Any downsides to this? There are a couple of others. Hard to figure this out without advice from others who may have used them.