Aluminum or steel aftermarket bumper PICS, which is better?

Thinking about getting an aftermarket bumper, don't know if I want steel or aluminum. I want to stay away from rust but I hear aluminum bumpers get corrosion???

 

They both have pro's/con's

What are your uses/needs for the bumper?

 

Planning on a winch and extra protection as far as hitting a deer or something.

 

if you are just doing overland type of offroading - aluminum

if you are rock crawling, climbing stuff, scraping crap - steel

 

is it possible to make a full aluminum swingout bumper?

ive had a few vendor tell me it isn't possible due to some issues with the actual swingout portion

 

Steel if you plan to hit stuff with it.... Aluminum if you dont plan to hit stuff and want to save some weight in the front. After IFS and MID skids, front bumper and a winch... you are looking at some weight!! So aluminum will help cut down on that weight...

 

Im not sure that you would want an aluminum rear bumper. you would actually lose weight in the rear which could affect your rainy day driving. Could cause additional hydroplaning....

 

Aluminess makes a swing-out Al bumper. But the design is serious beef compared to most steel swing-outs, and basically doubles the cost.

Here's a side view to give you an idea of how they do it:

 

How much does the stock rear bumper weigh?

 

aluminess?

 

I see where you are going with this..

if it doesn't weight less than a stock rear bumper, it should be good.

 

BUTTTT a steel rear bumper will help dampen the rear springs - Dakars.

 

Yup, aluminess.com - I have their front bumper, so far very pleased. With a synthetic line winch, Al bumper and 887s with top plate spacers I have a true 3" of lift and it rides great.

 

I have a full aluminum swing out bumper made by CBI.

 

CBI was the one that told me it wasn't possible.. WTH?

 

that rear bumper looks too boxy..

 

Call and ask for Nathan. He's who I ordered mine through and he's super helpful. I went with aluminum hidden winch mount, sliders, and bumper. Plan to order aluminum skids next. Don't know who or why the would sell that, I know it's on their website.

 

I've seen some guys do it, I personally won't. The arm of the swingout would still need to be steel at the least, but the amount of leverage/vibration etc placed on the pivot is excessive to do with aluminum IMO

 

Makes sense, all the cycles will eventually get to the aluminum pivot.

 

One exception is the way Aluminess does it, dual hinge pivots with a good vertical separation to control the motion. However I've still seen their pivots wallow out over time and get play, plus they only use plate for the pivots which are not easily greaseable and do not tend to have a very smooth and quiet movement