Aluminum vs Steel: Animal Strikes

Hey guys,

Thinking i may finally buy a bumper this Black Friday. I live in a rural area and mainly want it for animal strikes (elk, deer, bunnies).

I’d rather go aluminum to save weight.
My question is:
What are your thoughts on the strength of aluminum for protection against animal strikers at speed?
Is steel really worth the weight? (No pun intended)
I can’t imagine aluminum tubing bending very much more than steel when hitting an animal.

Also, it appears to me that a “low center” tube may provide more radiator protection than the full hoops that go to the top of the grille. I could imagine a deer possibly still destroying a radiator through that space.


Using Max Powell’s and Spartanx’s taco’s for examples of the two tube styles i mentioned

Low center:

Full hoop:

 

My opinion:
Deer will usually go up and over.
Most of the bumpers I see here are for anchoring a winch not for "hittin' stuff'.
Both ally & steel bumpers will be ruined, at least cosmetically, by a strike.
A bumper big enough to slap a deer down would be huge/heavy. Maybe an ARB.
Of course I could be wrong.

 

Honestly I think if you are that worried about damaging the vehicle on impact I would go steel. I’m not sure if this is valid or not but I think I remember seeing something about the ARB bumper being rated for impacts. Might be something to look into

 

I have the CBI low tube , full aluminum bumper. It’s noticeable lighter vs Steel ( friends have honey badger steel on their 3rd gen as my comparison). I have hit bushes , and small trees with it , zero issue. I have scraped / dropped down on rocks on the under side and no issues. It’s very thick aluminum so it’s not fragile.

i say if it’s a part that will see a lot of sliding against rocks it should be steel . My rear CBI high clearance Bumper is Steel and my rock sliders are steel. For a front bumper I don’t think it will see a lot of sliding action on trials vs sliders , skids or rear bumpers so Aluminum is ok in that case ?

don’t underestimate the impact weight will have on your front suspension and handling... especially weight that is distributed way out in front of your tires (balance , leverage )

 

Seen these deer yesterday evening.

 

If it’s a hybrid, you’ll bend a wing. Dead center, you’ll be fine.

If it’s aluminum full plate, you’ll probably bend a wing or crack a few welds. Dead center you’ll be fine; maybe a dent or something.

If it’s a full steel plate, there’s a chance you’ll bend a wing, but odds if it being straight are high. Dead center you’ll be fine.

If it’s an ARB, it lol’d @ the deer.

 

TITLE ONLY: STEEL!

Ive bounced a few deer off my SOS steel bumper! Never any major damage only a thick of fur here or there!

 

i tape tree branches to my tires to avoid these occasions

 

Could you post some pictures of your bumper? I’m thinking about moving on from my SSO Slimline to a CBI Baja aluminum with the low bar. Like the looks of this bumper along with the weight savings. Can also use the 20” Baja light from my current bumper and my Diode Pro fog lights also.

 

That’s what i’m thinking. Having the aluminum would still provide a ton more protection than stock... and having steel hanging way out on the front end sounds like it would negatively impact performance

 

@GladiatorNOT - Dibs on the SSO Slimline! (If you decide to let go...) Does it have wings? Loop? I'll look for pics...