Best (steel) front bumper?

Coastal extreme clearance and Warfab both seem very high clearance, and at the top of the list for that reason.
With ARB being at the bottom of the list for the same reason; poor clearance due to the front of it jutting out extremely far, creating a bad approach angle.

Full hoops seems like a good idea for many reasons. A small reason being an attachment point for things like limb risers, to the hoops.
But bigger reason being full protection coverage in the front, even if from hitting a deer.
(helps protect radiator, grill, headlights, etc.)

There's not many other bumpers out there that boast all of that (hoops, clearance). Only other one I can think of that does is ATH Fab.
Rest of them don't have hoops at all.

How would you narrow it down to picking 1/finally decide?



I just noticed the ATH Fab one pictured above is for post-facelift, which is probably what kind of Taco the owner had/has and first built it for. IDK if they have a pre-facelift version, or if this makes it simply a good idea to switch over to post-facelift parts, whatever is needed to make that conversion above the bumper, including lights and grill.

Here's the Coastal, you can see just how much it tucks in with their lower skidplate



Here is the new warfab with single hoop. One thing I just realized is it may even be lighter in weight than other bumpers, to avoid making your mpg THAT bad. Because less metal is used, and tubing is used, which may reduce weight by having hollow/empty space inside the tube.

Lead time may not be too big of a factor because if you really want something then it's probably worth the wait. May be worth nothing that different shops have different lead times or things in stock.

One cool part about having any tubes, is it can match the rest of your truck. Like if your sliders are tubes and you have any tubing in the rear bumper, a front that way will keep it looking the same. Vs. rear + side tubes than nothing but squares blocks and rectangles up front...

I don't know if there's downsides to full hoops. Like if it makes working on the truck harder or removing the headlights. Would suck if you have to remove the bumper if you need to replace a headlight!



Recovery points are recessed on the Warfab for clearance but not on the ATH.
IDK if the Coastal even has any, or if they can be added.
I also don't now how would one mount lights (such as fog) onto the Warfab but when there's a will there's a way.

 

Have you considered a C4 Hybrid?

 

Bay Area off-road (BAMF) build solid bumpers

 

I'm not sure if you're talking about the regular War Fab bumper or their frame chop version but I'm pretty sure they only sell the frame chop as a kit and don't sell a bumper for it. You have to make your own. The frame chop kit has what you need to relocate your cross member and a winch plate to start a bumper build around.

The regular warfab bumpers bolt right up. I just assumed you were talking about the frame chop version since you mentioned the extreme clearance coastal bumper which also requires cross member relocation

 

I don't really care for the first one or the last one in the first post, but I do like the middle one. Never really cared for the tube look under the headlights. JMHO

 

I’m struggling with a front bumper choice at the moment. Trying to save weight where i can, but not sold on the tubes under the light look, especially cause i can’t really afford to spend $1,000’s on lights to fill the void. How about tube function? Are 1.75” tubes strong enough to bounce off a rock or obstacle, without pushing into the fender? Or are the corners vulnerable to damage? I’ve got to make a decision soon with lead times being what they are, it will soon be 20 weeks + for some.

 

I waited 6 months for mine was originally told 8-12 weeks.

 

i mean for what it’s worth WarFab rear bumpers use tube as do pretty much all rock sliders and they seem to handle hits fine
Sometimes there are options of HREW vs DOM

 

i realllllllly like this bamf bumper looks amazing.
But i also really like the c4 overland

 

I think some bumpers say “crossmember relocate required” - anyone know what that means?

I’m guessing the front stock metal crossbar on the truck might have to get cut off or something

 

Yes, the nicer brand ones discussed so far are definitely better looking, but I’m pretty happy with my Trail Gear bumper, way cheaper and didn’t even have to wait a week to get it.

 

I'm would take a guess that it's the front lower piece that has the bolt on wings on ends, as low as the bottom of radiator , which is the problem for the front of the trucks for fabbing a bummper up with nice clearance.

 

I built a 4x4labs from a kit. They aren't up on his web site but he should have pieces in stock. Kit is quicker to get and you can make it fit as you like. I like the hi-lift cutout on the wings and I did the tube to give some light protection. If you had Luke build it he could whip up tube hoops to suit. He also has an in-house powdercoat oven.

 

I’ll always love my eBay 1 piece bumper. Best $500 spent.

 

@Alexely999, is that the DV8? Looks like they've doubled in price since you got yours.

 

Yeah the 1st one that came out. I’m not a fan of the newer multiple piece ones

 

I'm partial to the SSO Slimline series, but WarFab also makes some really mean looking stuff.

 

Coastal offroad