Aluminum or Steel Front bumper

For those saying that aluminum is worthless compared to steel:

http://www.kaiseraluminum.com/markets-we-serve/aerospace/defense/vehicle-armor-systems/

 

2.5 inches, wow. That would stop a few rounds...

 

That's how thick these bumpers should be. We'll show the naysayers!!

 

Lets not pretend that the aluminum bumpers are not stronger than the plastic ones that come on our trucks now. They are still an upgrade! The weight is a much bigger deal than people give credit. These trucks do not do well with the added weight anywhere. Hell, most of them lean to one side, and I would assume that is because that is the heavier side of the truck. If we were talking about full size trucks the weight would not be as big of an issue, but a stock taco suspension does not do well with added weight, especially on the exterior edges of the truck. Steal has its place, but Aluminum will work just as well for the 95% that go out recreationally. Aluminum will also hold up better to the elements and age better. And the extra weight per steal plate is huge, when you talk about bumpers, skids, and rock sliders. You are talking about hundreds of lbs difference in a truck with a payload capacity of just over 1,000 lbs. Now throw in an ice chest, the family, gear to do what ever activity, and god forbid a trailer, and these trucks will be grossly over loaded.

 

Yes there is strong aluminum out there but that is not the same kind of aluminum bumper that you or I are going to buy. If he wants to spend 5k on a bumper and get bullet stopping aluminum to make his bumper go ahead. But waste of money. Bumpers aren't meant to stop bullets. Aluminum flexes easier than steel. That's not really debatable. If you want a bumper that you can actually hit stuff with and not worry about it bending (aka the reason you get an aftermarket bumper) then get steel. I have a steel bumper and I ram shit and push on vehicles that are stuck all the time. I would have bent the crap out of an aluminum one a long time ago


Not even to mention that you can modify steel bumpers way easier than aluminum. Unless you are a very talented welder then you don't want to attempt to modify or add tabs to an aluminum bumper

 

I guess you fall in the other 5% that he was talking about who needs steel.

 

What kind of bumper are you running on your truck now?

 

Currently stock just because I can't afford a plate bumper right now. As soon as I can, I'm buying a steel one from SOS concepts. I would love to run aluminum for the weight saving, but they're just so much more expensive.

 

I could have afforded an aluminum bumper but I just didn't want to take the chance of having it damaged by a smalll fender bender. It's such a big purchase that I couldn't take that chance of having to replace it if it got damaged. Actually my wife talked me out of it and gave the same reason as desertrunner, "the whole reason of an aftermarket plate bumper is to protect the truck". With no winch, the front of my truck sagged less than a 1/4" w/ the steel bumper.

 

I can agree with that to some extent. For my style of low speed off roading, the aluminum would do fine. I'm sure it can bump into stuff at low speed (<5 mph) and be fine. That's what I'd be using mine for because a stock bumper would still scratch and dent from that. Plus it's a place to mount a winch, which is another big reason.

You mention it only sags 1/4" (which I believe you) but I'm sure you feel that weight amplified when braking suddenly or around turns?

 

The nice thing about steel is you can bend it, and pound it back into shape with a hammer. Aluminum cracks and pulls apart.

 

I'm sure it did, but it starts to feel normal after a while. With the steel bumpers/armor and 35's, we didn't expect it to handle like it did.

 

That's how my sliders were. I just got used to the extra body roll and changed my driving habits accordingly.

 

This place.

Sliders have absolutely no perceivable affect on body roll.

 

Aluminess vs. Cxxxxxxxxx

Edit - Aluminess vs Mustang - derp

 

this is already a rabbit hole clusterfuck, but I chose aluminum because the weight and clearance primarily. any extra weight forward of the front axle, which essentially is a fulcrum, is going to wear suspension components and affect the vehicle considerably. Add a winch to a 120lbs bumper and then u are almost at your "200LBS, better get 700lbs coils" weight. I got the Relentless DIY aluminum kit, because i CAN weld aluminum, and have no regrats even tho I wheel my truck all the time. I just dont abuse it, because its not a $3000 jeep

 

I'm not sure how 70+ pound sliders WOULDN'T have an affect on body roll.

 

Did you build a jig to prevent it from walking around or were you able to keep everything square without one?

 

I'm not sure how that would work, but maybe it's a possibility. I'm not sure why you guys are quick to say I didn't get any extra body roll, when you've never driven my truck. I've got the Apex sliders which are 70 lbs each, plus line-x'd. They're not light.