The article below will give you a simple guide on how to make the best choice when it comes to selecting an off-road bumper, as well as getting the best quality accessories to accompany it.
Off road bumpers can be used for many types of vehicles. They can be used for 4×4’s, all – terrain, rugged and heavy-duty vehicles. They can be used to protect a vehicle’s front end, they can be used as a safety feature and they can be used for a mounting of a mounting kit, de-rings mounts and winches.
Some individuals like to customise their vehicles to appear to be off road, but in fact these vehicles are primarily used on the road. Individual style and appearance make adding these types of bumpers hot property to those who love to custom-fit their vehicle.
Buying Guide
When it comes to knowing which bumper to pick there are many choices available for you to select from:
- Coatings
The coating that your bumper has can be important depending on its use. Corrosion resistance is important If you are going to use your vehicle in dusty or salty conditions as this type of bumper will give a lasting appearance. They are durable so that these are ideal for truck, Jeep and vehicles that have full width and mid width wheels. If you go for a chrome or polished coating, they will give a real aggressive look to your vehicle. If you also had accessories such as off-road lights or skid plates on your car, these will again individualise your vehicle and give you automotive uniqueness.
- Performance
Just because a vehicle is going to be used off road, it doesn’t mean it has to be a large SUV type of vehicle. Performance vehicles with low profile tyres, coloured alloys, powder coat finished metals with a grill guard can all be seen on faster vehicles. They can be used in rallies or for performance challenges. Having a good quality off road bumper in these situations can increase safety and offer excellent protection for the vehicle from damage. As we’ve mentioned previously, when rallies take place pre-runner vehicles with steel construction often use the course first before the rally vehicles start. Pre-runners are often stubby in design but also have a need for off road bumpers. As they are not usually aesthetically pleasing, they can go for a more rugged look.
- Styling
As with all off-road bumpers, the choices that you have are infinite as you can choose from a fully aggressive off-road bumper to a more artistic and sophisticated low key looking bumper. The types of bumpers that suit you depend on the type of look that you go for. if you like the more aggressive look then go for a steel or high chrome polished bumper. If you prefer a subtler look, then opt for a colour that blends in with the colour of your vehicle and perhaps a bumper that’s more streamlined to your vehicle’s design.
- Materials
There are many different types of materials that can be used for an off-road bumper. These range from steel to other high-quality metals and in some cases carbon fibre. The material is important because if you’ve got a heavy-duty style, then steel will often give you that more heavy-duty look. You may have weight concerns for your vehicle, so going for a lighter metal such as aluminium may be the better option. Again, the design here is a huge factor because if a material is thicker this will give the appearance of being more heavy duty. Whereas a thinner design maybe more suited to a standard car.
We will list some pros and cons of the different types of bumper materials:
- Aluminium Bumpers:
Pros: very light, stronger than ABS plastics, has the ability to be rust resistant but still has the look of steel.
Cons: over time vibrations can shorten the life of these bumpers, they are weaker than steel on big impact.
- Steel Bumpers:
Pros: a strong metal, very hard to damage, ability to be able to mount things to a steel bumper without the risk of breakage, stronger than aluminium.
Cons: very heavy which can cause weight related issues on a vehicle, can corrode, very difficult to keep shiny unless you have a stainless-steel bumper. Even powder coating doesn’t guarantee longevity.
- Price
The more you spend on your bumper, the more you should get. If you spend more, you will have access to higher quality materials, better designs and have the knowledge that your bumper will have longevity. That said, it doesn’t mean that a cheaper bumper will not provide you with same level of protection as a more expensive one, as they will be designed to ensure that maximum quality is delivered across the range.
- Weight and Size
As we mentioned previously the weight of your grill will often be related to the fact that the bumper is heavy duty. You have to consider the weight of a bumper that you attach to your vehicle, as too much weight at the front could imbalance your vehicle. Larger bumpers with a full grill type of cover can weight your vehicle down considerably so this maybe more suited to a heavy weight truck or a larger 4×4 vehicle. You may also want to consider raising the front of your vehicle up to counteract that extra weight. There are many options of how to do this so it is worth checking this with a specialist who will be able to advise you of what’s best suited to your vehicle.
3 Most Popular Manufactures of Off Road Bumpers
Consider one of these manufacturers for your off-road bumper:
- Road Armor
- Hammerhead
- Fab Fours
As you can see from the above information there are a number of choices available to you when it comes to choosing an off-road bumper. Looking at other custom fit vehicles for ideas is a great way to get an idea of what to do with your vehicle before you go ahead a purchase your off-road bumper.