OFF-ROAD BUMPERS EXPLAINED
Bolt-on, modular or weld-together kits – these 4x4 guardians for the trail come in a variety of design and choosing the right one is essential for when the running gets rough.
I f you’re eyeing an aftermarket bumper for your off-road rig, there are several factors and three main styles of bumpers to consider including bolt-on, modular, and weld-together kits. But what are the differences in durability, vehicle protection, installation methods, and overall costs?
From bolt-on to weld-together kits, bumpers come in many designs. They can be painted or powder-coated, accommodate auxiliary light integrations, and many have a centre opening to house various winches. But a series of questions may still need to be answered before you purchase one. For example, how many recovery points are featured in the bumper you want? Will you run a winch or just want the added protection of a front bumper without one? Do you like Baja-inspired tube bumpers or are you keen on incorporating flat stock
steel to upgrade your adventure rig? As there are some choices to consider, we took a deep dive into the world of off-road aftermarket bumpers to help you choose which one is right for your vehicle and off-road application(s).
Bolt-On Pre-Fabricated Bumpers
Most folks are familiar with one-piece, pre-welded bolt-on bumpers. Easy to install, these one-part units are pre-packaged, sold as one entity, and are ready to ship for a simple install. Pre-fab bolt-on affairs can range from front winch bumpers (with or without bull bars) to rear bumpers, which can be designed alone or with various swing-away tire carriers or jerry can-holder configurations.
The selection is extensive as are the price points. One-piece bumpers are usually easier to install than their modular or weld-together counterparts. They boast a sturdy construction and you don’t have to worry about bolted, bumper add-ons coming loose over a long period of time. It didn’t take us long to install our one-piece bumpers on our Suzuki Sidekick, Jeep Cherokee or Mitsubishi Pajero. Onepiece; no issues.
Many manufacturers sell one-piece bumpers. From Warn Industries and ARB to Warrior Products, CBI Offroad and Rugged Ridge, each company makes a variety of one-piece units. Most have allowances for auxiliary lighting and winches but choose carefully if you’d like to add those accessories later on. You’ll also need to ensure everything fits together with space allowances before purchasing your bumper. Most companies note spatial measurements of accessory openings on their website, or their customer service department may also be able to help you figure things out.
Choosing what’s right for your off-road needs is half the challenge, and knowing what you’d like to use your bumpers for is important as well. Do you want a minimal look with no winch for a front bumper or would you like to haul your spare tire, jerry can, and Maxtrax on the rear? Understanding what you would like to use them for, how you’d like to incorporate lighting, and what terrain you’ll most likely tackle on a consistent basis is essential to choosing the right model and design.
Modular Front Bumpers: One-Piece Plus Add-On’s
You may have come across front bumpers with add-on features like a bolt-on brush guard, extra light-mounting tabs, or even add-ons that can adjust its width. This style of
bumper is what some call a modular bumper. These will give you options to customize the bumpers for your specific needs.
Although ARB’s popular seller is its onepiece bolt-on bumper, they make configurable front modular bumpers for full-size trucks as well. They are available in a few different versions so you can find part numbers for each add-on and order a complete modular winch bumper to fit your rig.
Additionally, ARB manufactures a fullwidth Base modular bumper (which is the bumper only) while its Sahara-Style models include the Base bumper plus a centre grille guard (a hefty bull bar that covers the front centre of the vehicle). The company also offers the full-meal-deal, a Deluxe modular bumper that adds side “wings” to the centre bull bar, providing the most protection by guarding the headlights as well as the front grille.
Another popular modular bumper line-up is WARN’s Trans4mer mounting system. This setup maintains a truck’s factory bumper, yet it allows you to add niceties like a winch, grille guard, front receiver hitch, or other add-ons designed for the system.
Three generations are available (depending on the vehicle’s year, make, and model) and all systems require Trans4mer brackets. The other bits and pieces are bolted around it. (*Ed note: this isn’t a full bumper replacement like ARB, but rather a simple and modular way to add a winch and other versatile frontend accessories to an adventure vehicle.)
Modular front bumpers offer the choice to customize a rig to your liking – whether you want a basic set-up or one that offers full-frontal coverage.
Weld-Together Bumpers: Kits of All Types
Weld-together or DIY bumper kits can be a great option for those who are skilled welders or want to tackle a build-it-yourself project. If you’re not handy with metal fabrication or various welds, your local shop may take on the work to fabricate them for you. Usually flat-packed and ready to ship, weld-together kits are often CNC laser cut out of a thick sheet of steel or aluminum. Upon arrival, they are ready to assemble and get welded-up.
Weld-together kits may be less expensive than pre-welded models, but note that additional costs may be incurred in order to complete them. Buyers of weld-together kits need to do the work themselves or hire someone else skilled to build them. My husband Andy and I did this with our Delta, BC-based Coastal Offroad Delica van bumpers. Since we weren’t handy with a welder, we commissioned Wanderlust Overland from Oregon City, OR, to weld, test fit, and finish the final assembly of our front and rear bumper kits, and Precision Powder Coating of Portland, OR, powder-coated the setup for us.
As you’ll need to have a weld-together bumper kit powder coated or painted, expect to add that to the cost of construction as well. Tip: some people paint kits themselves to stave off further costs.
There are some pros and cons when comparing weld-together kits against pre-assembled one-piece or modular bumpers. The pros are they can sometimes be customized to your liking, and you could alter the kit before final coating and installing. Many times shipping costs are less expensive as they arrive flat-packed wrapped in industrial plastic wrap and foam padding rather than being shipped in massive boxes. There may also be less chance of shipping damage as they arrive as raw material with no chance of the powder coating chipping off if the shippers are rough with your order.
Conversely, if they are not welded together properly, DIY bumpers could pose a point of weakness during vehicle recovery or usage. Also, if they are not painted or coated thoroughly, they may be more prone to corroding or premature rusting. Weld-together kits take a lot of time to assemble, too. A one-piece bumper or modular bumper can be installed in a matter of hours rather than potential days for weld-together kits. Additionally, overall costs for the kits could also increase if a fab shop quotes a certain amount of hours and it takes them longer to complete the job.
The Bumper Low-Down
If you’re looking for a new front or rear bumper to have body protection from trail hazards (like trees), require more solid recovery points, want an allowance for a winch when the going gets stuck, or you just want to upgrade your vehicle’s looks, purchasing a quality-made front or rear bumper is a good choice.
Whether you select a one-piece pre-fabricated bumper, a modular design you can customize, or a weld-together kit that you assemble, you always get what you pay for so buy the best you can afford – investing in a bumper from a reputable company will, in turn, have your back many times on the trails when you need it.