Nates 4x4 front xj bumper vs jcr bumper

jgoforth · 05-28-2008, 11:53 AM

I need a few more opinions before i finalize my purchase. I'm not much of an offroader seeing as its a stock 2wd, but my front end is messed up and i figured i might as well get a light recovery bumper instead of spending all the money trying to replace/fix the front end. Anyways, I've got my prices and Nates 4x4 is about $415, thats with the brush guard, d-ring tabs, grade 8 hardware, ect ect...
JCRoffroad for the same bumper (basically) is $480, not to mention JCR uses a brace to bolt into the steering box while Nates 4x4's bumper actually mounts back to the steering box.
And finally for JCR stage 3 front bumper comes to $399, again has braces to mount to steering box, d-ring tabs/rings.

Nates'---$415---Nates 4x4 brushguard bumper
JCR prerunner---$480---JCR prerunner
JCR non-prerunner---$399---JCR non-prerunner/no guard

So basically I am asking opinions of each company/their bumpers, experience would be great...I've been talking with 1 person in another thread about JCR but I'm not convinced although they do warranty all their bumpers "If you break it, we will replace it. Guaranteed for life". Also, if anyone knows, do Nates' bumpers come PC black/painted/bare metal? I cant find where it says anything. Also Nates' bumper seems to have a 1.5-2" gap between the bumper and the header panel....is this consistant with all installs or just the 1 in the pic (it has another one that doesnt show a gap).

dcorn · 05-28-2008, 12:06 PM

I've thought pretty hard on this subject as well and finally came to the conclusion that I liked the Rigidco the best for looks and strength. I guess you wouldn't want it because it doesn't have a grille hoop, but I'm sure you could add that on for not too much.

Out of your 2 choices, I prefer the look of the JCR much better.

**XJH-007** · 05-28-2008, 12:15 PM

I've been running the JCR winch bumper for just over a year now...love it, great company.

and unless it says it comes finished......MOST aftermarket bumpers come RAW.

I really liked JCR's "hug" to the body lines......especially the portion under the front marker lights. Nates is big and bulky looking to me. I've Hi-Lift'd my front end up by this portion before too...it's STOUT.

Since you don't wheel nor plan too...just get what looks the best....my vote is for JCR.

PH0T0 · 05-28-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcorn

I've thought pretty hard on this subject as well and finally came to the conclusion that I liked the Rigidco the best for looks and strength. I guess you wouldn't want it because it doesn't have a grille hoop, but I'm sure you could add that on for not too much.

Out of your 2 choices, I prefer the look of the JCR much better.

Exactly what I was thinking!

jgoforth · 05-28-2008, 12:41 PM

ok so which JCR? the non prerunner? i kinda like the stage 3 but it was the price, cause ill have to
get it painted and all also...although i will probably just flat black it. my problem with the jcr was that it mounts to the stock 3 holes and i have this problem

so i was hoping to just kinda skip those 3 to line the bumper up and then bolt the 3 in and pull the front back as straight as i could with the bolts...

scavengerj · 05-28-2008, 01:36 PM

Ouch!
Looking to replace my front end too and after looking a good bit, I've decided on the jcr stage 3. Fit looks nice, light cut-outs already there and it seems to mount pretty well. Price is a little more then I like, with so many other things to do, but all in all I like it. Finish...I can decide on that eventually lol

For the time being I am going to get the c4x4 tow hook brackets/tow hooks

Mutaint · 05-28-2008, 02:18 PM

I researched bumpers for a long time and decided to go with Nates 4x4. Great bumper, strong welds, all the hardware needed at a good price. Nate is in Michigan so I like to support a local guy. Plus, it fits with the Bushwackers perfectly. PM me for more photos.

Haleyes · 05-28-2008, 02:37 PM

I've been a JCR customer from the early days. I have one of thier very first sets of stage 2 sliders they produced. They've held up great. Since then, I've had a Stage 4 front bumper and now I run a JCR winch bumper and rear tire carrier. All of it is great product.

JCR does use the stock mounting holes. If you think it's possible that you my do any sort of recovery at all, you need the unibody tieins. It's all a breeze to install, I had no trouble what so ever. You..... on the other hand, may have some hole alignment issues with your bulkhead being scrunched a tad. Shouldn't be any big deal to get that straightened out though. I would not let that stop me from purchasing a bumper. Any quality bumper manufacturer will use the stock holes as well as others to tie it into the unibody.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd get the same great JCR beef.

Hale

Haleyes · 05-28-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutaint

Nate is in Michigan so I like to support a local guy.

JCR Offroad is in Kalamazoo, MI.

www.jcroffroad.com

peeweeXJ · 05-28-2008, 05:00 PM

Get the JCR. Tucks up real nice, tons of clearance. Great people, solid product. Good warranty.

I've yanked and yanked on FS Chevy's with this thing, going through 2 3x30 towropes.

justinwalden · 05-28-2008, 05:57 PM

hale got any pics of the tire carrier?

CKUPQ · 05-28-2008, 06:27 PM

Nate's Warranty:
Due to the nature of the Off Road sport and the excessive abuse these vehicles/rigs are put to we find it impossible to warranty or guarantee the performance of any items.
http://www.nates4x4.com/catalog/conditions.php

JCR Warranty:
All JCR off-road bumpers and rock sliders come with a Lifetime Replacement Warranty*

If any part of the structure or the welded portions of the product fail, contact JCR off-road or original dealer for inspection.
http://www.jcroffroad.com/warranty.html

Something to think about.

JWFokker · 05-28-2008, 07:41 PM

Where did the Nate's price come from? Even with all of the options, I'm only coming up with $312.20 max.

srmitchell · 05-28-2008, 07:43 PM

Don't forget this one.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=935716&highlight=ukraine+train

I love the light in it.

**RockRodHooligan** · 05-28-2008, 09:18 PM

Of the two, I'd have to say the JCR, I personally am going to go with the Rigidco next round.

05-28-2008, 12:15 PM	#3
XJH-007 I drank what? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Morrison, Colorado Posts: 4,674 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I've been running the JCR winch bumper for just over a year now...love it, great company. and unless it says it comes finished......MOST aftermarket bumpers come RAW. I really liked JCR's "hug" to the body lines......especially the portion under the front marker lights. Nates is big and bulky looking to me. I've Hi-Lift'd my front end up by this portion before too...it's STOUT. Since you don't wheel nor plan too...just get what looks the best....my vote is for JCR. __________________ Scott-Crawlorado Native I have an addiction..... 00' XJ_T-n-T Y-Link/6" RE_OME's_33" KM2's Tera 4:1 / 4:56's_Elec. Locked D44 84' CJ7 4"BDS 33's **02 WJ Overland

05-28-2008, 12:41 PM	#5
jgoforth Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: memphis Posts: 164 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	ok so which JCR? the non prerunner? i kinda like the stage 3 but it was the price, cause ill have to get it painted and all also...although i will probably just flat black it. my problem with the jcr was that it mounts to the stock 3 holes and i have this problem so i was hoping to just kinda skip those 3 to line the bumper up and then bolt the 3 in and pull the front back as straight as i could with the bolts... __________________ 1998 XJ Limited Edi. ---2wd stock DD--4.0--JCRoffroad bumper--p235/75/r15 1995 XJ Sport ---4wd Offroader--4.0--30/9.5/r15--build project--currently stuck in 4L..

05-28-2008, 05:57 PM	#11
justinwalden Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: C'ville, TN Posts: 1,073 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	hale got any pics of the tire carrier? __________________ Tennessee, Tennessee, There ain't no place I'd rather be!