How to Choose the Best Bumpers for Your JeepFront vs Rear Jeep Bumpers

Your Jeep looks great from the factory, we’re not disputing that, but what if it could look even better? If there's one area that's slacking a bit it's the bumpers, but there are tons of places you can go with Jeep bumpers, ranging from improvements to your Jeep’s appearance to functional bumpers that offer more protection when off-roading. If all of this sounds great, read on to learn more about how to choose the best bumpers for your Jeep.

Front vs Rear Jeep Bumpers

Before you make any decisions, you have to think about which bumper you want to replace, or if you want to swap both.

Front bumpers are the ‘crash bar’ on the front of your vehicle and aftermarket options tend to feature mounting equipment for spotlights, recovery gear, light bars, and other tools that help you see the road or get out of trouble. You'll also find that Jeep front bumpers tend to be a little more expensive because they protect the front of the vehicle. Plus, you'll find the most variation with front bumpers, so if you want your Jeep to look custom that might be the right way to go.

On the other hand, rear bumpers provide protection for rear collisions. Aftermarket options tend to include mounting options but instead of lights and recovery tools, most rear bumpers help you tow things or carry things like bicycles and camping gear. Also, if you plan on lifting your car, you may need a new Jeep rear bumper that gives you more clearance because massive tires won't fit with the stock configuration.

Types of Aftermarket Jeep Bumpers

Shopping for aftermarket Jeep bumpers would be a breeze if there was only one type of bumper. While having a lot of options may be confusing at first, it's actually great because you can really find the perfect fit for your exact needs. Learn about the various types of Jeep bumpers below.

Full-Width Bumpers

One of the most common Jeep bumper options is the big and bold full-width bumper. These bumpers protect the entire front portion of your vehicle which means they can protect your engine from debris, collisions, and other potential hazards. Full-width bumpers also tend to be the most robust option available. Typically, they're made with heavy-duty steel and feature mounting points for accessories like light bars, spotlights, and other recovery tools. Overall, these bumpers are full-size options that offer the best protection possible and give you the most room for additional accessories.

Mid-Width Bumpers

Mid-width bumpers offer the best of both worlds between stubby and full-size front bumpers. If you’re someone who likes to take your Jeep out for the occasional drive on trails or on the beach, a mid-width bumper is a good option. They don't compromise your clearance, like full-width bumpers, and they still offer a lot of protection for you, your passengers, and your vehicle. What's more, many mid-width bumpers still feature premium steel and offer mounting opportunities for your favorite lighting and hardware. In fact, many options even come with hardware already, ranging from recovery systems to LED lights.

Stubby Bumpers

If you’re someone who needs the most amount of clearance possible, stubby bumpers are perfect. While you lose out on some of the protection due to the size and common use of aluminum, they're lightweight, perfect for off-roading, and many options still leave you room for recovery gear, spotlights, and much more. Stubby bumpers are also a great choice if you plan on rocking some massive wheels and tires. Due to their smaller size and protection that's focused more on the middle of the vehicle than the sides, you’re left with plenty of room for that lift kit or those mud-terrain tires you've been looking for.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Aftermarket Jeep Bumpers

Before you choose a bumper for your Jeep it's important to slow down, take a breath, and make sure you're getting the right parts for your build. While our sales techs can always point you in the right direction, you'll still want to evaluate some personal factors that should influence your decision.

Styling

Look, let's face it, one of the most important factors to consider is styling. How your Jeep looks is the icing on the cake, even if you’re more of a performance person. For this reason, make sure you take some time to evaluate the various style options and colors before making your choice. Sure, do some bumpers perform better than others when it comes to towing or off-roading? Absolutely – but you shouldn't let that get in the way of turning your Jeep into the truck of your dreams.

How You Drive

How you drive your Jeep is another important factor to consider because a bumper that's awesome for shredding the hills might shred your fuel economy on the highway. If you plan on doing a lot of off-roading you'll want bumpers that can support this activity. You may want bumpers that feature recovery options, like a winch, or bumpers that make room for bigger off-road wheels and tires. In fact, there are even specific options that help you mount spotlights and other hardware. On the other hand, if you’re driving on the street more often you'll want to prioritize coverage. Full-width bumpers, bull bars, and even some grille guards are great choices to keep your wheels, tires, and engine safe. Finally, if you do a little bit of both, maybe opt for a stubby bumper or something more modular that you can customize or even adjust as you go from turning heads on the street to crushing trails.

Materials

What a bumper is made with is also a big one. You have aluminum bumpers that are lighter than steel, resistant to corrosion, and a solid option for any vehicles that have mounted accessories. While aluminum is a great option for all-around use, it's not a bad idea to consider a heavy-duty steel bumper if you plan on off-roading. This is because steel bumpers have no problem taking a beating from bad weather, rocks, dust, and other types of debris.

Get the Right Jeep Bumper for Your Build

Whether you need to replace your OEM bumper because you went a little too hard on the trails, or you want a behemoth of an aftermarket bumper to hold spotlights, plows, and other accessories, you've come to the right place. Shop online and find all of the Jeep bumpers you need from the best brands.