Initial Impressions - ATH Fabrication Steel Bumper

Why hello there.

Welcome to a brief, initial, amateur, non sponsored review.

After being rear-ended several months ago (while stopped, at a stoplight, by a JEEP, no less), I used the accident payout to ditch my crumpled, plastic-composite OEM bumper for a steel rear bumper...aka a real man's bumper.



I recently received and powder coated my bumper and have been extraordinarily impressed with it and the customer service along the way. In anticipation of the install this coming weekend, I wanted to write an amateur, initial review, especially for those considering steel but not wanting to cut up their bedsides.

There are a variety of quality vendors to select from (many of them on this forum), all with good products. Ironically enough, prior to my accident, I had spent an inordinate amount of time researching the available options for a replacement, as the OEM bumper just didn't "do it" for me. That, and I wanted protection from the curbs when going off road at my local mall.

All of this said, I ultimately selected the standard rear bumper by @At The Helm Fabrication and, while I am no fabricator, the quality has me like




Why did I choose the ATH Fabrication standard rear bumper?

1. Reputation for quality products and customer service at fair price points. As stated, I am no fabricator, but the bumper itself is a thing of beauty.
2. Highly functional and sleek design.
3. Reasonable lead time.
4. Overall weight of approximately 84 lbs, which is comparable in weight to the OEM rear and far less than most competitive, standard replacements I researched (most exceed 100 lbs, and high clearance bumpers approach 200 lbs).
5. Incorporation of slots for jacking, reverse/work light cutouts (including optional mounting plates for Baja Designs squadrons, if you're feeling fancy), fully welded 3/4" recovery points, and an option for a hidden hitch, allowing for greater clearance.
6. No cutting, drilling, or welding required for install.





For the fellow mall crawlers among us, note that there is no tire swingout, Jerry cans, or a Hi-Lift jack mount. Therefore, be advised this equates to roughly -100 Expo (or EAF) points.

In all seriousness, I'm thrilled with the end product and am looking forward to the install. Morgan with ATH has a great product here and was incredibly responsive to my questions throughout the process; if he didn't respond within the hour of my initial message, I always had a no bs response within a day. Further, the flip-up license plate bracket for the hidden hitch, LED license plate lights, mounting plates/blanks, necessary bolts/washers/nuts, and thorough instructions were all included with the purchase.
I hope this helps some of you who may be considering rear bumper options!

Disclaimer: I am neither affiliated with ATH Fabrication nor do I specifically recommend this bumper over other competitive products.

 

Awaiting the installed pics.

Website for ordering?

 

https://athfab.com/

 

They'll be coming! And see above ^

 

Super clean. Love how well the welds show up through the powder coating!

I really wish someone would figure out a good way to incorporate the BSM sensors in these bumpers. I know all the reasons no one wants to include them, but my wife feels way more comfortable driving the limo with them and they've saved my ass in the parking lot too. Too bad Toyota didn't put them in the tail lights like Ford.

 

I hear you! Can't have everything I suppose.

Also, before I forget, shoutout to @rlx02 for bringing ATH to my attention in the first place.

 

Nice!! I’m saving up for one my self

 

Glad i could steer you in that direction!

 

That looks nice!

 

im here for the installed pics

 

vury nice

 

Install Pics, or it didn't happen....

 

This is a great thread... Except for any installed pics. OP where they at???

 

Soon! Should have it mostly buttoned up this weekend - no blue balls will be had.

 

Installed my ATH a few days ago. Here are some pics.

 

I too crunched my stock bumper so I need an upgrade. Morgan was great and the bumper came ahead of schedule. Install was easy enough even for a novice like me. Now I just need some lights and I’m set. Thanks again @At The Helm

 

Stock bumper was a pain to remove, but install is done! Just need to hook up my BD squadrons when they arrive this week.

The booty is looking glorious!

 

Looks good.

Can it be ordered without the light cutouts?

 

That’s a tight ass

 

It cannot be, though backup lights were something I wanted at the end of the day