Front Bumper Ideas?

Ah, the infamous "damage multiplier", so when you have the tiniest fender bender the radiator gets destroyed so you end up on a rollback.

 

my last winch sat on the front of my 4runner exposed for close to 15 years. No issues to exposure to the elements. Go to your local towing company and ask them how all the winches on the back of their flat beds are holding up from years and years of element exposure.. I"m sure they will say they are just fine too and they use theirs everyday. I think those that worry about the elements exposure to a seal winch are paranoid.
If you're using this to move trees and not worried about approach angles on a bumper, but are concerned with weight, then get a low profile bumper from us off road. The Relentless one is great but not an option for you b/c your truck is pre 2012.

 

I second this

 

he has an 08. Not going to work for him. same with the relentless option.

 

Aw dang it. Good call.

 

I second this. no winch yet, but here's the view from my office

nvm just saw it's an 08. US off road has a similar one?

 

Us off road and warn might be his only options for a low pro I think.

 

Yeah but they are sexy

 

That’s what I said.

 

This us off road and winch combo is only 6 hours away from you. Might be work a small road trip if you're going anywhere that way. Hard to beat $500 for the pair. Maybe he can meet you half way.
05-11 US off-road bumper and winch

 

the yellow Jeep that does recovery is Matt's Off Road Recovery

probably better at it than anyone on TW given that they're paid professionals,
and as you said, they use a dismounted winch carried in the trunk.

Though I'm not sure what you mean about towing capacity.
ATH's steel rear bumper for example, claims to tow the same as stock.
I've never seen a steel rear bumper delete a hitch.
They usually let you choose between hiding the hitch behind the plate, or underneath.

Considering it's welded reinforced steel bolted to the back,
and the stock tow hitch is also just another steel bar bolted to the back
I really don't see how it's any different

 

I built my own. It is 35lbs without the winch. Baja designs lights and black powder coat. I have a winch just haven’t installed it yet. Designed and built it with my best bud who has been fabricating for 15 years.

 

this

 

Southern Style Off-Road.

 

35lbs? Is it made out of aluminum foil?

 

35#? Must be some lightweight material, I guess that's why you didn't put a winch in or any recovery points?

 

Timeless if you ask me. I love mine.


My second choice would be BAMF with full hoops. That thing is sexy!

 

It is made out of aluminum. It’s just not mounted in that specific picture. It uses the 6 factory studs on the frame for mounting plus another 8 bolts throughout. The bumper itself is 1/8 thick but the winch mount is 3/8 thick and butts up to the truck frame and bolts to the 6 factory studs.

 

Thanks to all members for their opinions and contributions. My bumper and winch choices have now been made and I'll be sure to post photos when I get it put together. Next up will be suspension upgrades to compensate for the permanent addition of ~250# weight to the front of my truck. For those who missed it, my new to me truck will be a 2011 Access cab 4x4 in SWB with the 4.0 V6. I'm very excited to finally be picking it up at the end of the week.

 

In the process of building a pelifery built style bumper I’m not done yet but I’m already in love