By Scott H on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 06:59 am: Edit

I want to replace my rear bumper (and those flimsy end caps) pertty soon and was looking for replacement options. I would like to have the bumper also give me some sliding protection. I have seen that the $G and Trek Outfitters both offer this. Any experience with either one of these? Others?

Your opinions are apprecaited

Scott H

By Scott H on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 07:42 am: Edit

Anyone...Anyone....Bueller...Bueller...

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 07:52 am: Edit

Scott -

I have no experience with either, but the $G seems better. Also, rockware (rockware.net) can make custom ones.

I think the options are just too damned expensive. If we could get one in the 500-600 range, that would be cool.

Tom

By Steve (Steve2) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 08:00 am: Edit

scott-

no experience with either but the kaymar bumpers from australia looks nice

steve

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 08:44 am: Edit

i have the SG version.
nice. but, dont' land on it. it'll give in.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 08:49 am: Edit

I think that the Trek is the same way. Looking at the pictures of the D1 rear bumper it looks like the lower rear quarters where crumpled. Could have been some thing else that did it. Or it could be just me needing glasses.

By Moe on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 10:15 am: Edit

Ho, what do you mean by 'give in'? I've seen your front bumper but has your rear end twisted under strain too I thought the SG rear was a bit better than the front--too damn expensive, anyway.

I am thinking about buying a welder, chop saw, grinder and having a go myself. Yep this could get ugly

By Discosaurus on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 10:22 am: Edit

My $G has worked well over the few years I've had it. It allows you to slide your rear 1/4 over that big rock that just ground along the length of your sill slider.

I never landed on it hard like Ho mentioned although, 2 weeks ago, I took a major hit to the side panel (the part the covers the bottom of the rear fender) while negotiating a narrow rocky creek bed. The boulder put a big dent in the steel that otherwise would have been a fist sized hole in the fender. Other then the cosmetic damage, it didn't go anywhere.

keith
discosaurus

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 11:51 am: Edit

Yeah, and I gave you shit for it too but being the hypocrite that I am if no one comes out with a better option soon (John nudge nudge wink wink) I'll be right there with you with an SG rear on my truck...

Alex

By jay caragay (Jcaragay) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 12:38 pm: Edit

While at RoverFest, Trek Outfitters from California had a display of their D2 rear bumper and they seem to emulate the stock design of rear bumper for both (D1 and D2- they have pics on their website). But since they copy the factory design with stronger steel, I don't think that it changes the departure angle.

For me personally, I am hesitant about a rear bumper because I like to use the factory tow hitch (rated 5,000 pounds). The other bumpers, like $G, move the hitch and place a lower rated one instead (3,000 pounds).

While I realise that life is a compromise, I would like to see a manufacturer make a tough ass rear bumper that looks good, gives a good departure angle and still retains the 5,000lb tow rating.

By John on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 12:52 pm: Edit

Well look at a discos and rr'ers mounting points, 2 bolts at about 30" spread...the frame doesnt give you much to work with as far as solid mounting. Thats why we see so many smiley faces on rear bumpers...too much distance between mounting points and "take a hit" points. The config doesnt allow for a 5ooo lb tow point and still get departure angle with those angled frame horns. So its a tough issue to get what everybody wants, the perfect bumper that can tow a boat and have a 50 deg departure angle, actually deparure angle sucks because of the gas tank/skid plate. You can move the bumper back 4" but you still have the gas tank sliding along a rock. Damn, pardon my ranting but ranting makes me think.

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 01:16 pm: Edit

You go!!!

Personally, I couldn't give a rat's ass about towing a boat, but I want a good, solid recovery point, like the stock one is. But it seems half assed to buy a bumper like SG (at the premium that they charge) and ruin the departure angle by keeping the stock hitch receiver. Not to mention it just doesn't look right poking its square little head thru that aluminum skidplate.

Alex

P.S. This is a "if you build it, they will come" case if I've ever seen one. I'll be first in line if you can come up with something this year.

By Jeff on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 01:28 pm: Edit

go look at brian morton's photo gallery

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 01:34 pm: Edit

Looks tough enough, but to parapharase Kyle, that's a Jeep bumper.

I won't nail a railroad tie to my rover. Just can't do it. To each his own, though.

Alex

By 200Tdi on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 05:15 pm: Edit

I have a Kaymar rear bar on the back of my '93 Tdi.
You can buy them with dual swingaway carriers, one to hold your spare and one to hold a jerry can.
Yes they do reduce departure a bit, but they tough, i highlift off the corner no probs and the tow hitch is rated to 3500 kgs

By ARog on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 05:29 pm: Edit

What is the big deal about it being "a jeep bumper"? It looks badass and looks like it can take a pounding. ARB makes bumpers for jeeps too....

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 01:33 am: Edit

I simply meant that its boxy & brutish looking and does not match the lines of the Disco. Just my opinion - if that doesn't matter to you or if you do think it looks good on the truck, then great.

I happen to feel the same way about ARB bumpers - functional, but not exactly aethtetically pleasing. Goes much better with the lines of a Cherokee than a Disco.

Alex

By Jeff on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 02:36 am: Edit

What I had thought about doing was making a cut down "heavy duty" version of the stock bumper.

It would look like a stock bumper, except it would not stick out much past the rubber strip laying on top of the bumper. I think that would be approximately flush with the door, maybe stick it out about 1". Also, it would include wrap arounds to protect the rear quarter panels. Include two d-shackel mounting blocks and a built in hitch receiver.

I quess it would be a Trek or SG bumper on a diet.

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 03:25 am: Edit

"It would look like a stock bumper, except it would not stick out much past the rubber strip laying on top of the bumper."

That means cutting the ends off the frame horns and welding new mounting plates on the stub ends.
That is very doable and is a major consideration on my part for an agressive rear bumper. With most people it gets back to wanting a simple bolt on, which means the same profile venders are doing now. To beat the departure angle, you got to bite the bullet. Of course that leads into the spare tire overhang thing. As someone says,"its never over in a rover".

By Tom P. on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:08 am: Edit

John,

The (simple) way I see it, is that most will not want to cut off the receiver and/or complicate the bolt-on simplicity (by requiring a welder). So maybe a good solution is a stronger, stockish bumper with A GOOD skid that wraps nicely around the stock receiver so it is less of an anchor. You know, smooth the lines...

Surely there is something that you could weld up behind the bumper skin, than would give adequate strength even with the wide mount spacing. No?

Don't take offense, those that want a really aggressive rear bumper, but I'd just as soon live with the stock receiver but strengthen the bumper.

Tom P.

By Greg Davis on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:15 am: Edit

Scott, take a look at my rear bumper. It's on a DSII, and I'm not sure of the mounting differences, but something similar could be fabb'd for a DSI.

P.S.-A rear skidplate is in the works.

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:23 am: Edit

what i want in a rear bumper is:

bolt on, or light welding.

maintain factory hitch

increase the deproach angle on the either side of the hitch but puting essentially a chamfer on the part of the bumper that will drag on the ground.

the key is, when i come down on the corners of the bumper , have them strong enough to not bend up. the rover bumper has a gusset in there that the bumpers bend right up to... it's good and it's bad.

i think if there wasn't a support there,, it may bend along the whole length giving you problems opening the door. so it might be engineered to bend there.

what i want is no bending period !

also some protection for the rear quarter panels, similar to $G but , somehow strong.

and a $600 price tag

rd

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:39 am: Edit

In these posts I see about 4 different bumpers wanted, which is normal. Everyone wants the custom bumper built to their tastes. But overall I see and hear keep the original tow hitch. But I also think that doesnt hurt as a good departure angle isnt possible anyway without bob tailing your disco/rr'er. Maybe I need to sit on a mountaintop with a peyote cocktail to get a vision...lol

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:43 am: Edit

I think the overall SG design (w/stock hitch cut off) is fine. Just needs to be a little stronger maybe. Anything with better departure angle, like you said, will have you bobbing the tail and then the limit of your departure angle will be the door mounted spare, which is not a good thing.

Alex

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:53 am: Edit

>"Well look at a discos and rr'ers mounting points, 2 bolts at about 30" spread...the frame doesnt give you much to work with as far as solid mounting. Thats why we see so many smiley faces on rear bumpers...too much distance between mounting points and "take a hit" points."

John gets to the issue here - unless you want to get out the hacking tools and rework the mounts, even the beefiest bumper is limited by the weakest link in the chain: the mounts. I say chop the frame horns back a bit, weld on a beefy & long backing/mounting plate to the chopped horns, and bolt on a slim blade that is effectively pushed back a few inches. But what about that fat tire hangin in the breeze? How about an angled slider plate extending from the bumper blade up & over the edge of the tire? But then the back door won't open, damn! Lift the tire a couple inches? Yep, it's never over...

Here's the result of a little friendly bumping to the rear corner - note the wave in the top of the bumper (the coronas had nothing to do with it, honest):

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 05:11 am: Edit

You hit it on the head Gill...I am doing a custom Rangie bumper now and using that approach...If I ever do rear bumpers they gotta work, so they gotta have a cut/weld section in the directions.

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 05:18 am: Edit

Do it to it - as far as I see it, the rear is the bigger problem. I can see and feel what I'm about to hit with the front bumper and back off if need be, but the rear has no choice but to be dragged along behind you. What is your plan with the hitch? I say lose it altogether, or have an option to weld something back into the reworked frame rails. D-rings on the blade will take care of rear recovery (which is all I use my hitch receiver for anyway).

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 05:23 am: Edit

On the rangie the customer wants the stock hitch, so I am laying the bumper on top of it...he hauls an Airstream trailor.

By jeff on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 06:14 am: Edit

did somebody mention peyote

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 06:22 am: Edit

no, but sounds good. Sign me up.

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 06:46 am: Edit

john , where is this mountain.. i'll meet you there.

bor nosivad

By Tom P. on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 06:56 am: Edit

>>I can see and feel whatI'm about to hit with
>>the front bumper and back off if need be, but >>the rear has no choice but to be dragged along >>behind you.

That's what I do too, but the front bumper has alot do do with it. With stock or minimal front bumper you have to watch your line more to protect the rear end. With the ARB bumper, approach/departure is more even, so on a line that gets the ARB through, I can usually slide the rear through on the skid plate and hitch. If this transition was smoother, with a stronger blade. I'd be set - except then I'd need a new front bumper! It's never over...

Right now my rear corners are the weak link!

Tom P.

By Ron on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 07:03 am: Edit

My main concern is the rear fenders. I already messed one up pretty bad. Would be nice it it had plating there like SG and maybe tied in some how with a fuel tank skid plate with some form of full rear under protection.

Ron

PS 600-800 w/ skid plate I think would be market maybe making hacking the reciever optional some how

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 07:31 am: Edit

Rob D... eromhsuR .tM

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 07:35 am: Edit

Of course the SG bumper and anything that works cuts the rear fenders off below the trim piece behind the wheel wheel anyway. That seems to be a must....so when we sell our discos I guess we wont be turning them back stock...lol

By Scott H on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 11:02 am: Edit

Thanks all I appreciate the feedback. I am not really worried about the overhang of the trailer hitch...I figure I'll just keep dragging it..oh well. I haven't totally beat the rear fenders up yet..just trying to avoid it.

Thanks again
Scott H

By Ali on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 12:23 pm: Edit

John,

I had to cut the horns off in order to accomodate my rear bumper. It's ugly but works. If I had to do it again, I'd definitely use 3"x2" tubing instead of 3"x3". The bumper does stick out about 1.5" beyond the receiver.

My bumpers are my feelers so they take a beating. The front ARB is tweaked too! However, my wife loves my rear bumper when she got rear ended with a full size chevy. I'll try to include the pics of the damages to both vehicles!

By Ali on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 12:24 pm: Edit

Sorry, pics turned out too large!

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 12:27 pm: Edit

I am using 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1/4" wall as it lays right on top of the receiver and is the right height to look nice at the tailgate transition using a dress plate on top of the tube there to fill the gaps in. Damn, you did some whupass on the chevy....

By ali on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 12:38 pm: Edit

That's a thickass bumper you got planned. About 75 lbs?

Yeah, the driver was a kid driving a construction company vehicle and was a bit shaken up. He wasn't wearing a seat belt. Passenger side hood crinkle was already there.

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 12:51 pm: Edit

"That's a thickass bumper you got planned. About 75 lbs?"

Well, if I make it too light it will end up in Kyles window and the web hears about fuck ups instantly...And you cant get that size tube in 3/16" wall...sooooo..bout 75 lbs.
I may tweak it but I got to build one first and see what I like and dont like. Most of my 1st mades ends up on my truck and you guys get the good stuff...thats why I am calling my truck "Half Done"....its never finished...lol

By Marc on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 01:39 pm: Edit

Got an e.t.a., John? How 'bout on that "traditional" front bumper?

I am eagerly waiting for pics.

-Marc

By John on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 02:35 pm: Edit

Installing a traditional tomorrow and taking pics for the web site...

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 03:02 pm: Edit

Yes, I'm looking forward to getting a better look at that when I'm down there next Thursday.

By John on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 02:12 am: Edit

The bumper on the rover will be back in Delaware by then...but I will have pics on the website.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 02:20 am: Edit

The rear bumper or the new front bumper? I'm hoping to get a up close look of the new "traditional" front bumper. But, hey if it is in Delaware then the pictures will have to do.

By Ross Davidson (Rroverc) on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 05:20 am: Edit

I thought you would like to see the handy work of my buddy Mike Pado, m.a.pado@lmco.com. He fabricated this bumper out of S/B 3/16" 6x3 steel tubing. It is stout as was demonstrated by a trip last Friday to Tellico where I managed drag the rear end of the truck down several boulders. It is mounted by removing the stock mounting brackets and using 3/8" plate steel. It even incorporates a couple of recovery points.
One of my requirements was to leave the stock receiver hitch in place. I also asked him to roughly build the bumper to the contour and dimensions of the stock bumper. Furthermore I wanted a to protect the rear fenders from any unforseen damage. As you can see from the photos, the bumper ends wrap around the fenders and is braced against the frame to protect the lower fenders. (the body damage is courtesy of the previous owner).,,,,

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 06:05 am: Edit

that's a damn fine looking (and strong looking) bumper.

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 09:38 am: Edit

That is a damn sweet rangie. Love the bumper. Kudos to your friend.

Tom