High clearance vs regular style bumper

I'm not speaking from theory. In 35 years of wheeling I've hit just about everything imaginable going forward and backward. A bumper that sits that close will not protect fragile parts like the headlights if you plow into a semifrozen snow bank, or any number of other objects including a large animal. I stick by what I said. I'm not asking anyone to agree with it.

 

its true. depending on what you hit.

 

Thanks for the comments guys. A little info to add. I like where I store the tire at the time being. I don't want it swing out style or in the bed. I think the HC are sick. But cutting my truck is a scary thought.

Well the reason I am wanting a aftermarket if that I have already had an incident with the stock bumper. Hit the bottom of it on a frozen hill side and it slammed up and broke the rear tail light. If I had a real bumper this wouldn't have happened.

 

hi clearance

 

Not even a plate bumper?

I didn't think that ARB's bumper sticks out much further than the stock bumper does? I could be wrong just observing.

And OP it is really up to you man. If it were my truck I would get a high clearance because that is what I plan on getting.

 

The ARB sits about 8" out. 9" if you count the rubber bumpers. A plate bumper is better than a tube bumper. I'm not saying one is right and one wrong. I'm just saying that a bumper that sits close can let things past that can put pressure on fragile parts. Even fairly soft snow pressure can break a plastic grill or the plastic mounting tabs on a headlight assembly. An animal hit at highway speeds can squeeze past and break things too. The more distance the better, but of course you have to strike some compromise with clearance. In Australia animal strikes are a big deal, and that is one reason they design their bumpers the way they do. I can't say what is best for anybody but myself. It's just a factor to consider when making your choice. The HC bumpers do offer alot of protection and they look great. I have a CBI bushmaster on the back, so I'm not anti HC.

 

Damn they stick out a lot more than I thought lol.

I see what you are saying. The way I look at hitting things at a high rate of speed though is that no matter what bumper you run, something(s) is/are liable to get fucked up. I realize that having a ARB bumper in the front will decrease your chances of messing up a lot of stuff because they are designed to animal strikes like you said, but you can't predict the flight path of the deer you just hit doing 70 mph. For example, the deer tries to just up at the last second and you hit it. It could come flying though your windshield.

 

You're always playing the odds. The best you can do is to tip the odds in your favor

 

Coming from someone with a high clearance... if you don't wheel that much just get the regular.

If you smash your bedside then sell it on here and get yourself a high clearance and cut the bent part rather than having someone fix it. Sounds like you don't wheel enough for that to be an issue though.

 

If I was worried about the headlights, I'd have headlight protection.

You are correct - there are some situations where this bumper will not fully protect the truck. That goes for any bumper.

That said, I think your first post exaggerates the disadvantages.

ARBs stick out a good 8+ inches from the front of the truck. It's basically designed to be a battering ram. Every bumper, plate or toob, is going to have some degree of balance between coverage, weight, features. ARBs are definitely the best to hit things with, but have their own disadvantages.

 

I still have my stock bumper, but my rear fenders (between the tires and rear bumper) are getting beat too shit. I've already had too hammer and bend them back into place 4 times due too clearance and departure angles. For me, I'm getting a high clearance bumper because of how functional it is. Plus the tire gets out of the way and you have room for OBA Tank.

 

I am kinda thinking along these lines. Maybe I will go this route. The HC's do look badass thou!

 

Was just wondering what make/model this bumper is? Looks great kon the taco and i'm interested in getting one for myself. Thanks a lot.

 

Contact 4xinnovations


John will probably slap me but the old (no longer made) All Pro hybrid bumpers looked pretty similar if you can find one.