[beryl]

its 1/4" steel...beefy.

i like it. the receiver is at the bottom rather than the middle but i don't see any problems witht that.

i'd buy it again.

it comes with a new rubber stop. and as far as rear recovery, you can get this http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=4979

and it comes with frame tie-ins that don't require any "fab"

[Danegerous]

the reciever hitch say for accessories only, so I'm not sure if that would be adequate for getting unstuck. Imagine the jerking and snatching necessary for getting out of a tight spot. I have a Rokmen Mercenary front bumper and my buddy has a rugged ridge front and back (we spent the same money). When next to each other, the difference is just unbelievable. the rugged ridge just looks so flimsy it's not even funny.

It could just be me, but I would absolutely spend just a bit more ($125-ish) and grab a rock crawler end. My thing is, why do it twice? If it never fails, awesome, but what if it does? That'd be an expensive lesson.

My buddy (the same one as above) is currently building a rear bumper/tc off Bzerk's how-to here in the forums to replace his rugged ridge.

Either way, I'm simply trying to play devil's advocate so you don't ever regret your decision.

Dane

[Chris_]

Originally Posted by Danegerous

It seems the rugged ridge would be fine for trail riding. anything more treacherous than that, though and I wouldn't exactly trust it.

I would. I've used mine for recovery with a receiver D ring plug and it works just fine. I towed those flipped over heavy Pro 4 trucks back over and around without any problems, and jerked stuck Jeeps off of rocks.

You also aren't taking into account business model. Racetrac and Quiktrip sell gasoline at rock bottom prices. Their gasoline doesn't have premium conditioners added in, but those are things you don't necessarily need; however, what they do is lower their prices and sell in bulk. While these other places jack up their prices and cover their costs for those conditioners and such, they don't sell as much, but their profit margin is just slightly higher. Racetrac and QT have a lower profit margin per gallon, but they sell more gas, so in essence, they are making more money.

Same principle. This bumper doesn't have the conditioners you don't really need to begin with, but because they sell it in a refined factory, and make plenty of them, they don't have to rely on the profits from one or two to feed the kids.

[beryl]

Originally Posted by Danegerous

the reciever hitch say for accessories only, so I'm not sure if that would be adequate for getting unstuck.

im sure it would be fine.

if not then just wrap the tow strap around the rear bumper. i've done that twice to my stock rear bumper. one of those times being with me stuck over a big log and the strap was wrapped around the rear bumper and i was pulled up and over the log just fine. and this bumper mounts the same way but with frame tie-ins.

[Wheelin98TJ]

Originally Posted by beryl

...if not then just wrap the tow strap around the rear bumper. i've done that twice to my stock rear bumper...

Not a good idea.

You weren't stuck very bad if you did not bend the stock bumper trying to use it as a recovery point.

[Rocky5]

Originally Posted by Wheelin98TJ

Not a good idea.

You weren't stuck very bad if you did not bend the stock bumper trying to use it as a recovery point.

I agree....the factory rear bumper has the thickness of a tin can. it only weighs like 10lbs. That's why jeeps come stock with a rear recovery hook.

[mrcleanshoes]

i bought a pair of rugged ridge d-rings and they suck!! they are all odd shaped and the clevis pin isn't exactly round... looks like a 13 yr old made them in a middle school welding project...

[dpop24]

What do you guys think about this bumper holding up to a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier and a dirt bike? The bike and carrier together are going to be about 300 pounds.

I've got one of these carriers and was going to get a full tow hitch to do it but this is a way better deal since I get a new bumper, a swing out carrier, AND a 2" receiver.....

This is the setup I will be using:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOTORCYCLE-CARRIER-RACK-RAMP-TRAILER-HITCH-HAULER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQihZ019QQi temZ290194933480QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[apexjeepinjoe]

I ordered mine today. Today is the last day for the free shipping hopefully I will get it this week and install this weekend.

[kb9qdi]

Originally Posted by JeepinJoe2002

I ordered mine today. Today is the last day for the free shipping hopefully I will get it this week and install this weekend.

Make sure when you get it you have all your mounting hardware for the bumper itself. It will come in two boxes. One for the carrier and the other for the bumper. I got the carrier hardware but no bumper hardware at all. It took almost 2 weeks to get it from Smittybilt. You'll be very happy with the bumper, I am

[Danegerous]

is the smittybilt the same as the rugged ridge?

I'm sure the carrier will hold the bike, but there is no guarantee, haha.

[ImaginaryFriend]

Originally Posted by wsm04rubi

I have the non-tire-carrier version of this bumper (Rugged Ridge Rock Crusher). It does mount directly to the frame with two bolts (one on each side) to the bottom of the frame. In addition to that it has 8 bolts to the rear crossmember, with backing plates to spread the load. It is a very well built bumper with a strong mounting system.

Mine is almost 4 years old now, and the only thing I see that they've changed is they no longer have a reinforcing ring welded around the outer edge of the receiver. I've used mine for towing up to 1700 lbs, but I would be hesitant to do so without that outer ring (which you will see on all class 3 receivers).

Here is a picture of mine:

So is this style bumper open backed or boxed in? The install instructions lead me to believe it's an open back design like the OEM bumpers.

[wsm04rubi]

Originally Posted by symbiont7

So is this style bumper open backed or boxed in? The install instructions lead me to believe it's an open back design like the OEM bumpers.

Mostly open backed, but with some reinforcing ribs inside, and boxed in around where it bolts up to the rear crossmember. It's also 1/4" thick steel, no comparison to the OEM bumper in strength...

[Buckshot]

Ordered mine on the 24th, not here yet. I think it has shipped, just not made the trip yet. I'm hoping that I will not have to remove my class 3 hitch because that is what I will use for the little amount of towing that I do and use the bumper hitch for accessories.

[Rocky5]

I ordered the classic one after all from 4wheel parts for $290 shipped to my house......they "said" it would be here by Friday. I will post pics as soon as I get it.