Looking to get a new front bumper

[jharrisliberty]

I am looking to either swap out the current stock bumper for one with a winch plate or a way to attach a winch to the front of my 2006 KJ. I am leaning more towards replacing the front bumper. I have tried looking online for different options and the one that seems to keep popping up is the ARB bumper and it cost a little more than I can spend on something like this at the moment. I am on a budget and looking for good options, please help.

 

[KJ604]

detour backbone system retains stock bumper and provides winch location and recovery loops.

KJ Backbone Bumper System for Jeep Liberty

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the forum James.
The detour's is the best least expensive way of properly mounting a winch.
I want to also make you aware that the extra weight will make your front end sag bad!
The stock OEM springs are not designed for extra weight & will sag.
By adding the 70 lb pushbar, on stock springs I could not get 2-3 fingers between tire & wheel well!
Needles to say a full suspension lift was in order using 927 HD OME springs etc..
54802[/ATTACH]"]

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[jharrisliberty]

Welcome to the forum James.
The detour's is the best least expensive way of properly mounting a winch.
I want to also make you aware that the extra weight will make your front end sag bad!
The stock OEM springs are not designed for extra weight & will sag.
By adding the 70 lb pushbar, on stock springs I could not get 2-3 fingers between tire & wheel well!
Needles to say a full suspension lift was in order using 927 HD OME springs etc..
54804[/ATTACH]"]

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So do you think that I would be ok if I already have a 2.5" Daystar Lift kit on it or would I still need to replace the OEM springs?

 

[LibertyTC]

^ That's good you added your KJ year and a Daystar lift!
I suppose you could install the Detours and see how it drives, but nothing beats a good handling KJ with a true suspension lift !!
If you are thinking winch, obviously you want to use the KJ off road.
I don't think coil bind is something I want to experience....
Tom is more qualified to elaborate about Daystar and I'm looking forward to his input!

 

[tommudd]

So do you think that I would be ok if I already have a 2.5" Daystar Lift kit on it or would I still need to replace the OEM springs?

NO
full spring lift only forget spacers
KJ springs are weak to begin with
After all of these years you have already sagged 1/2 to one inch
so adding more weight in front you'll be at below ground level in no time
ARB makes a great bumper, couple of other options as well out there will show you some pics tomorrow

 

[4x4kayak2112]

Go with OME 927s, My wifes KJ (pictured) has the Ironman C springs, and they are now sagged 1.25" since I got them new.

But for a bumper its either ARB, Backbone, Local Custom, or Mine that I make. But shipping is gonna eat you alive.

Dont ask about the bumper on the camouflage KJ. I will not make one like that for anyone else.

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[HoosierJeeper]

I like my Backbone the best out of all the bumpers. I actually like the look of a stock bumper with the winch on it. I think getting a good quality, American made winch is more important that the bumper it mounts to as far improving the functionality of the Jeep.

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[Jim McClain]

Has anyone tried to fit an after-market bumper made for a different model Jeep? Seems like modifications could be made to fit a bumber like this, for instance (just something I saw in a Jeep mag, not something I researched the quality of yet):

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That might open up the options considerably. Is that a possibility?

 

[tommudd]

Has anyone tried to fit an after-market bumper made for a different model Jeep? Seems like modifications could be made to fit a bumber like this, for instance (just something I saw in a Jeep mag, not something I researched the quality of yet):

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That might open up the options considerably. Is that a possibility?

Been tried but looks like crap most of the time :shrug:
all of the wrangler bumper are made for straight across grills, unlike the earlier KJs .

 

[4x4kayak2112]

Has anyone tried to fit an after-market bumper made for a different model Jeep? Seems like modifications could be made to fit a bumber like this, for instance (just something I saw in a Jeep mag, not something I researched the quality of yet):

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That might open up the options considerably. Is that a possibility?

Hang out on instagram. There are some on there and they look terrible.

Been tried but looks like crap most of the time :shrug:
all of the wrangler bumper are made for straight across grills, unlike the earlier KJs .

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[tommudd]

Never been on instagram:happy175:, figured it was just a worse version of Facebook

 

[sota]

instacrap and fecesbook

 

[jharrisliberty]

NO
full spring lift only forget spacers
KJ springs are weak to begin with
After all of these years you have already sagged 1/2 to one inch
so adding more weight in front you'll be at below ground level in no time
ARB makes a great bumper, couple of other options as well out there will show you some pics tomorrow

So when I am able to put new springs on (which will be before I put on a bumper or winch) will I still get the same amount of lift as I do currently from the daystar lift? And are there any other options that have not already been shown on this thread?

 

[tommudd]

So when I am able to put new springs on (which will be before I put on a bumper or winch) will I still get the same amount of lift as I do currently from the daystar lift? And are there any other options that have not already been shown on this thread?

Doing a full spring lift you can get more lift than with a Crapstar
More lift, better ride, better handling , won't cause parts to wear out quickly etc
Not sure if I mentioned or not the Matrix brush guard ( yes it does have the option to have a winch )
Its on my 2003 currently

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same one when I ran it on my 04

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[HoosierJeeper]

How does the winch mount on the Matrix? On top (in front of grill) I presume? As much as putting a winch into a bumper makes sense to protect the winch, it seems to me it would make it a lot harder to respool the cable properly and to keep an eye on it. Thoughts on that?

 

[tommudd]

How does the winch mount on the Matrix? On top (in front of grill) I presume? As much as putting a winch into a bumper makes sense to protect the winch, it seems to me it would make it a lot harder to respool the cable properly and to keep an eye on it. Thoughts on that?

Just seen a couple of " spy photos" :shrug::icon_lol:
But goes into the hitch that is on the 02-04s, then bolts to the front brackets
and yes it does hamper the ability to make sure the cable is rolling on right in a bumper like ARB is