What to Know When Shopping for a Winch-Ready Bumper
To the untrained, non-automotive eye, there may be little difference from one winch-ready aftermarket bumper to the next. Truthfully, they might all look like big, chunky pieces of black metal.
(Of course, we’re guessing you’re a bit more discerning than those uncultured swine – why else would you be here?) Even so, the bumper landscape can be a bit large and confusing — especially for those people driving a popular application that boasts an unending array of manufacturer offerings.
Pre-Runners?
Stubby?
Tubular?
What’s it all mean?
To help narrow down your winch-ready bumper search, it’s best to build up an arsenal of knowledge. First things first? Hone in on a style.
STYLES 101
Bumpers with Grille Guards
These days, aftermarket bumpers are often seen as a style upgrade, but for many, function still reigns supreme. While slim and streamlined bumpers are in vogue, there are still a fair amount of truck owners who need a heavy-duty bumper with maximum coverage and protection.
Sure, the bumper + full grille guard combination isn’t likely to win many beauty pageants, but that’s not a concern for those making the purchase. If you’re in a professional setting, a fleet contractor, or often travel to the ninth circle of hell and back regularly, this is your bumper.
Often these bumpers are constructed from thick steel and feature a multi-stage coating and/or diamond plating. It’ll probably add some weight, so consider a stiffer suspension. Whether enclosed or exposed, expect a large, secure, reinforced area to mount your winch.
Bumpers with Bull/Prerunner Guards
If you like the idea of extended front protection, but still want to show off the face of your truck, the timeless prerunner guard design looks right at home on pickups of all sizes. It gives the grille added protection from collision and wayward obstacles, but doesn’t obstruct the truck’s front like a full grille guard. And while there will always be detractors, in our opinion a prerunner guard just screams: aftermarket cool.
Bumpers with No Guard
Probably the most popular of the bunch, the guard-less bumper offers the look and protection level most truck owners need, without the extra weight and bulk.
While some of these bumpers still opt for a larger footprint, trends have shifted to a sleeker design. Additionally, many manufacturers take an incredible amount of time engineering these bumpers to seamlessly meld to each application-specific body line. As a result, it’s unusually to see the same metal bumper shape on, say, a Ford AND a Toyota.
Some still like the flat, boxy look – and they’re available – but these gorgeous new designs look like they were sculpted by the OEMs themselves. And as far as winch mounting is concerned, since there are no hoops or guards, you’ll have maximum mounting space and accessibility when it comes time to unspool.
Tubular bumpers
Tubular Bumpers take the round, tube-style design seen on bull bars and oval steps and extend it throughout the entire bumper. While some tubular designs (especially modern iterations) incorporate larger sheets of metal to add places for mounting additional accessories, at their core, tubular bumpers are minimal and simple.
Often they don’t have the intricate bends and curves to match a vehicle’s body lines like the previously mentioned guard-less bumpers. However, what they do feature is a lighter weight and cleaner look that rarely give those larger tires clearance or rubbing problems.
The spartan design does come with some compromises – namely, an exposed winch that needs to be mounted on a top plate.
SIZE/WEIGHT
In addition to the above styles, it’s important to target what size or length bumper you’ll need.
Except for the Bumper + Grille Guard category – which usually come exclusively in larger full-size variations – each bumper can be classified in one of three general sizes:
Full-Size
These bumpers offer body coverage that most closely match the stock bumper. Popular for larger trucks, full-size bumpers will usually weigh the most. In return, however, they give the vehicle the most protection and bells and whistles for mounting accessories.
Mid-Size
Like the name suggests, these bumpers land right in the middle of the road for size. Like the next category, mid-size bumpers are very popular for Jeeps and SUVs. They cover most of the way across the vehicle, but often leave room around the fender flares.
These make a good choice for overlanding rigs, as they have ample protection and accessory mounts – but don’t carry the extra heft of a full-size. Since they don’t follow the exact body lines of the OEM bumper, aftermarket manufacturers can get creative with fit and design, so you’ll see a wide variety of shapes in the mid-size market.
“Stubby”
The shortest size bumper style available, Stubby bumpers are very popular with the Jeep and off-road crowd. The reason being that they generally leave the most open space around the corners and wheel-wells of the vehicle, providing the most space for oversized tires.
They may offer the least protection of the three, but because of those shorter dimensions, they are lighter and won’t get hung up on terrain as easily as larger footprint bumpers. Stubby bumpers almost exclusively have a top-mount winch design.
MATERIAL
In addition to size, metal will also determine what weight your new bumper will tip the scales at. Steel bumpers have been the aftermarket standard for quite a while and are much tougher and harder to dent or damage. Since it’s a heavier metal, it will offer more security for whatever mounts on or in it, especially the winch. Of course, a heavier bumper may require suspension modifications to accommodate.
Another option is a lighter-weight aluminum bumper. Because they are similar in weight to the OEM bumper, aluminum bumpers are much easier to maneuver and install. However, if impact protection and durability is paramount, note that an aluminum bumper won’t withstand as much damage as its steel counterpart.
A bumper’s coating also makes a big difference to its durability and corrosion resistance. While a bumper with a simple painted texture may look great at the onset – and cost less – a powder-coated bumper is often worth the investment. This is particularly true for those who live in harsher conditions or frequently travel off the beaten path.
It can be a daunting task to start your winch-compatible bumper search, so let us suggest a few from our friends at TrailFX to kick-start your search.
HEAVY DUTY FRONT BUMPER
Looking for a sleek design that can take a beating on and off pavement? The HD front bumper from TrailFX has you covered. Expertly powder-coated, these bumpers offer protection you’ll never second-guess.
- Includes D-rings, rugged and fully-welded design
- Titanium black powder-coated finish
- Bolt-on installation to factory mounting points
- Compatible with OE front parking sensors and up to a 12,000 lb. winch capacity
- Accommodates TrailFX 30″ double row straight light bar and 3″ LED flush mount cube lights
- 3 year limited warranty
JEEP FRONT BUMPERS
Whether you’re looking for a full-size, stubby, or something in-between, TrailFX has your JL/JK/JT covered. Carefully-crafted and feature-packed, these bumpers come in at a price point hundreds below the competition, leaving more money for a winch, lights, or tires!
- Rugged, fully-welded design for extra strength
- Welded D-ring tabs included
- Textured black finish
- Offered in 3 sizes, including Stubby
WINCH MOUNT FRONT BUMPER
To tackle the ranch, quarry, or construction site, outfit your pickup with an outrageously sturdy Winch Mount bumper from TrailFX. The thick, diamond-plated design and full front guard keep a truck safe from whatever elements the job dishes out.
- Fits TrailFX winches up to 12,000 lbs
- 1/4” Steel center section
- Diamond plate wings
- Gloss powder-coat finish
- Mounting hardware included
- Full guard tube set
See the full line of TrailFX/SpeedFX products HERE!
