Front Bumpers: Hidden vs Full

Howdy y'all. I haven't seen (found) a thread that compares the hidden (or low-profile) versus full bumper replacement.

I'm waiting on my Smittybuilt X2O Comp with synthetic line to arrive, and I'm trying to work out which bumper is best for my needs, and I always try to come to those who've been there, done that.

My 'overlanding'/offroading will be in my local area (Colorado Springs, perhaps venturing to Moab, etc.) for more groomed and light-to-light/moderate trails. This is not a hardcore rock crawler, just something to get me out and away once in a while. The destination is my goal with this truck and not so much the thrill of actual offroading the vehicle (I'll build another truck for that maybe). I've decided I want a winch for a variety of reasons, so that should be off the table for discussion.

My gut says that the hidden style is probably all I need. I'm looking at the following two:

U.S. Offroad Winch Bumper for $525
C4 Low Pro with frame support brackets for $848

The money between the two is largely in the noise; I won't lose any sleep over the difference if there's a tangible advantage. I'm not sure if the USO is as stout since I didn't see anything about how it ties into the frame like the C4 does.

Now with that said, I'm not opposed to a full bumper, I just don't know what advantage that'd have for me but I'm open to learn. And if I go that direction, given my 'groomed trail' use, what the advantages and features would be that I should consider.

Thanks!

2014 TRD Sport, 2" lift, slightly oversized tires, fiberglass shell, rack...

 

This is my hidden winch bumper I think I have an expo 12,000 pound winch it’s hidden kind of a little hack job on the lower valance I could’ve done a better job on that but I plan on getting a new one anyway
I’m on a 3 inch rough country suspension lift with stock 16 inch tires for now

 

If you’re going to be around trees get a full bumper. Can’t tell you how many times it saved my front end an hood.

 

I went with the Warn version because with free shipping and already painted came out cheaper than other options. Pretty sure I'm going to swap for a hybrid in the nearish future, just because of looks, and makes adding lights easier

 

I love the look of the hidden ones but hate that you have to hack up the bumper. IMO that makes that option a lot less desirable. For me, I prefer mods that I can remove and return the truck back to stock when I sell it. With the hidden bumper that means you need to source a new bumper if you want to remove it and sell the bumper separate from the truck.

 

I only have to take off the aluminum crash bar and the hidden bumper I got I had painted and you could almost run that itself without putting the front bumper cover on

 

Southern Style Off-road makes a nice one as well. SSO. there’s a comparison thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sso-slimline-vs-c4-lo-pro-vs-stingray-lo-pro.467436/
Fwiw it’s the lightest of the 3.

 

I don’t do mods(or restrict them) to please the next owner since I keep my trucks ~15 years. By the time I get rid of it those things are not issues that affect sale.

 

I don't do any hardcore rock crawling, so my main concern is the added weight with a full bumper vs the hidden ones. In the end, I don't know how much you really save, but if it kept me from having to redo my front springs, that would be a consideration. So far I haven't gone anywhere that I couldn't clear. Like you, my goal is the final destination and back. If there's an easier route around the bad areas then I'm taking it.

 

My bumper weighed 75 pounds and I have no SAG even with the winch bolted on

 

Here’s a look at a Southern Style Off-Road with a Smittybilt x20 winch.

 

DV8 / SB X20, BD 20" Combo amber