Front bumper armor questions

I'm looking into aftermarket front bumpers for my 2015 DCSB TRD Sport and have a few questions:

I really like the look of the ARB deluxe bar but am concerned about the added weight. It's a steel bumper and will add something like 175 lbs to the front end (with winch). Will my stock TRD Sport suspension be able to handle the added weight?

One of the reasons for the aftermarket bumper is for deer protection. Will the aluminum bumpers provide a similar level of protection as the steel ones?

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks.

 

The SOS concept bumpers look really good and are priced right. I checked into a aluminum one and they only weigh around 65lbs.

 

I don't like the look of the SOS bumpers. As far as style, I'm looking at ARB, All pro apex, and pelfreybilt. Is aluminum going to hold up as well as steal in a deer strike or light fender bender for that matter?

 

But some say arb is too strong for our trucks meaning same collision instead of messing up bumper... bend the frame... so who is right/wrong... just saying

 

Anyone with more input?

 

I recently got into an accident in my FJ with an ARB. I had somebody pull out in front of me (not my fault). I hit them on my driver side corner at about 30mph. The bumper moved up and into the fender a little bit. Surprisingly not a lot of damage. No frame damage, the bumper mounts bent. Fender was not removed to be repaired.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5l6uy74kq72ogyo/img_1073 (2).jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/btvzehjef7o76gh/img_0289.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1162c73cyhwb36/img_1088 (2).jpg?dl=0

 

I just ordered a bumper and skidplate from Allpro 2 1/2 weeks ago. Im expecting to take delivery this coming tuesday. Got a Tacomaworld discount too. They have the Standard model (which is what i got) and the Apex, which is supposedly super light aluminum. Lots of people seem to like the Apex, but i went with the original. Hope its what i expect. The ARB might be super tough, but i didn't feel i needed that heavy beast on the front of my truck. I don't see trails as often as others do.

 

I'm in deer country also.
I went with steel for more than one reason. Cost was first. I got front and rear for cost of front. I barely know how to weld steel with no exp on aluminum in case I need to repair in future.
I use my bumpers for stretching fence and pulling stumps and stuff. Don't think aluminum can handle that abuse.

 

We have posted a few of the many testimonials on our website from customers who have had a run in with deer, bears, and other vehicles...take a look here...
http://www.aluminess.com/testimonials/

 

I have a 2012 Sport with an ARB front bumper. I put in OME front and rear, and would suggest you look into something similar if you want to go with the ARB. It's a heavy son of a bitch.

 

^this. I did the same and am very happy with it, although I haven't hit anything yet so can't testify as to its durability. It's definitely heavy though, and you can feel it while accelerating and braking.

 

I have the All-Pro Apex steel bumper and its heavy, but I have aftermarket suspension. I would go All-Pro, but buy the aluminum version. It will not take the abuse that a steel one does but it is better than the OEM bumper by a long shot.

 

From my understanding... And I could be wrong the arb bumbers are made to take a hit and protect your vehicle the bumper does have crumple zones.

A steel bumper such as bruteforce and all pro have no crumple zones but will protect your vehicle as well. But remember the shock and force has to go somewhere and sometimes these bumpers are made stronger than the frame on our trucks.



That being said I would go with bruteforce, all pro, Pelfreybilt, or any other the other vendors here.

 

I had a 2012 jk with steel bumper, rear ended a Camry and all it did was scuff the powder coat... Caved in the trunk and fender on the Camry. The one good thing the JK had going for it was a solid frame. Granted the suspension mounts on the frame were cheesy thin, the main frame was sturdy and great to build on.

 

How is the suspension after a heavier bumper with the added weight? Is an upgrade necessary or will stock handle the load?

 

That's a very valid point! We all talk trash on the newer plastic "bumpers" and how they cant withstand a hit. They do that so we inside can withstand the hit instead. Like how people remark how older cars were tanks and newer cars get wrecked, well in the old days people would get fuuuuuuuucked up by crashes at speeds we walk away from today. We've all seen plenty of wrecks with newer cars where we cringe at the wrecked and twisted metal and someone comes out without a scratch.
Of course for offroading going a few miles per hour, these bumpers aren't going to affect much and are obviously a major advantage, or hitting a fleshy 60 pound deer. You have me thinking now however, for a vehicle that spends most of its time on the freeway, will it be worth it to get one of these all steel bumpers? These guys who make them are very talented metalsmiths and welders, are there any of these bumpers though that were designed by engineers who take into account high speed collisions?
Just fuel for fire and devils advocate. I'm thinking about getting an aftermarket bumper but your post is making me think twice about it now

 

Food for thought^:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHp1GAFQzto

BTW you guys hitting deer and having them come off the bumper are lucky. Most people I know end up with the thing going over the grill and hurting someone.

I went with a stealth bumper. It's light, steel, and will protect the very center point of my truck when offroading.

 

I love my Bruteforce front hybrid. I would say all around even being a hybrid it will take more than the stock bumper. I haven't hit anything with the stock or hybrid so just my opinion and it hasn't been tested by my truck thank goodness. Oh but a trampoline def will dent your cab if it lands on it. All the factory bumper is is a piece of flimsy ass plastic and an aluminum bar behind it.

 

I've heard of that before, luckily where I live, deer are pretty few and far between. More than likely will hit a tweaker running across the freeway than a deer!

 

I've heard that same thing mentioned about ARB's. I've also heard that is the reason some of them don't have recovery points either because of the crumple zones of the bumper mounts. I think I remember someone over on the FJ forum talked about bending the bumper from a hard pull. Bumper itself doesn't bend but the mounts potentially can just because of their design for impact.