Rear RockCrusher or PreRunner bumpers

Hi, I am looking on ebay at upgrading my rear bumper. I like the looks of the prerunner type bumpers, and also the RockCrusher styles w/Dring brackets, both with recievers mounted in them. I know they don't rate them for towing but I have a couple questions. For example the rear rockcrusher style with Drings, and the hitch reciever. I know those Drings are strong points for hooking up say a recovery winch from a buddies winch. That seems like a strong enough point to winch out of of mud or snow or anything else. But they don't rate the reciever for towing for safety issues. But I have a small trailer, for my 2 quads. Do you think that the reciever would be strong enough to pull that trailer with my quads? or to pull a single place jetski trailer? I mean I could just buy a hitch for my jeep, but was wondering if those bumper recievers would be strong enough? When I think of a chain , or winch hooked to the d rings, that has to be a hell of alot of stress when being yanked out of a hole, So laymans thinking, I would think I could pull my gear with it. But just want some expert opinions. thanks.  

One more question, looking at a rockcrusher style front bumper, 42.5" wide, the ends taper off not running across the front wheels. which off road would be great, leaving nothing in front of the front wheels giving better ability on the trail, But what about Johnny Law, are the front bumpers required to run clear across in front of tires? or are these short bumpers legal? thanks  

Pretty sure the front bumpers are legal.  And I'm no expert but I think the reason that a tow point is strong is because it is closer to the frmae.  The reciever is just not strong enough.  You could however, weld a few braces to it.  
____________________
Staff Sergeant
176th Civil Engineering Squadron
Elmendorf AFB, AK

The hitch has to be engineered in order for it to be rated. Engineering cost money, so they don't engineer them.

Most of box tube styles are way overbuilt and could easily be rated for 5000 pounds.

Some of the pre runner styles are light weight and more of a beauty bar than a bumper. If they have a receiver, I would consider them for accessories like a bike rack and not for towing.

Your TJ has a 2000 pound capicity. Don't exceede it.

Bumpers, in order to be legal, need to cover the frame rails and be at most a maximum height off the ground. Each state is different and some states heavily enforce it and others never enforce it. Mud flaps, or lack there of, are a big issue in some states also.

People who get in trouble usually have their bumper too high, not too short. Find out from your local 4X shop about the local enforcement or harassment.  

Thanks guys, Very well explained Giles. That all makes sense about the engineering and rating. And yeah here in Michigan I know there is a bumper height law, But My Jeep is no where near that tall. My younger brother runs a 95 F150 on 39.5" Swampers, which puts his factory bumper much higher than mine is now, or would be with 33's (the max I ever plan to run with this build). about the towing, I see your point on the prerunner style as I know the construction quality would not be near that of the stout type rockcrushers like pictured above, But what do you think about Towing with a rear crusher style with reciever? Especially with such a low tow rating for the vehichle. I've never towed more than that with my last TJ, but it had a small 1"?? Style Reese hitch. My trailer is Heavy duty, custom made sitting on a Mobile Home axle, with a 7000lb load capacity and drop gate. The trailer weighs in just under 1000 lbs, and my 2 quads together probably weigh 800 lbs. Keeping me a little below my max Tow rating. So Giles Do you think the rear rockcrusher bumper's hitch point would be able to handle that? or would you go with a normal rated hitch, and seperate bumper? I was hoping to get away without the stand alone hitch because I was frequently getting caught up on the one I had on my previous TJ. As far as using a bumper hitch, the two quads and that particular trailer would be the MAX I'd ever tow, As I have a Reese hitch on my Fullsize pickup For most my towing needs.  

Without seeing the exact setup, you're probably ok. If you have an auto tranny, get a cooler. Try to stay under 2000 pounds. It's about braking as much as anything. Go slow and don't be in a hurry. My TJ won't stop with no trailer weight! Maybe look into some electric trailer brakes as well.

The wheelbase, tranny, and the braking would be my concern as far as towing, not the hitch or frame or engine.  

yeah, I don't even care for pulling a small yard equiptment trailer loaded with a couple dirt bikes, with my jeep, an yet i see people pulling huge enclosed cargo trailers and boats... it's dangerous and dumb.

we see wrecked trailer/boat combo's every year during hunting season and summer time, all of which were being pulled by a suv or small pickup.. sure, the v-8 durango (for example) has the balls to yank em down the hwy, it can's stop tho and the wheel base is way to short for load distribution.

if it were up to me....  commercial truck standards would apply to any and every vehicle pulling a trailer, and box vans, including weight/saftey enforcement.

another thing, if ya have ever driven 75' long tractor trailer loaded @80,000# gvw, then jumped into a big ol' suburban pulling a 28' travel trailer, you would wish you were in the big truck...  
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So, the rock crusher style would be ok for light duty towing? Another question, HONEST opinions please. With a bumper like the front that I posted the picture of, and a rear of the same liking, would they improve my offroad performance (approach,departure angles) enough to consider them? I'm seeing them as low as under 100.00 bucks apiece.  Or am I gonna get the same offroad performance with my stocks? Because if I stayed with stock bumpers I could use that money for a winch, or locker. Once I finish School here, and get my degree, I will definately take on a Killer Rig build. Or buy a used 07 or newer unlimited Rubicon. I just have the bug in me to keep modding what I have, But I know I won't be going with long arms, or any other High dollar mods with this jeep. Should I just leave it as it is, and maybe next go with a 1" body lift, then my 33's when I decide on which ones I want? Giles, without looking back at the posts, I recall you running 34.5"s correct? How much lift did you have suspension/body, to clear those?  with my 2.25 BB, If I added the body lift, that should let 33's travel pretty well right?  

it will fit 33's, tho you'll still need an additional 1" of bumpstop.. minimum.  
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thanks Mud, what are your thoughts on the bumpers? would the rock crusher style front (pictured above) give me better off road angles? I mean enough to warrant buying the bumper? or will my offroading be the same as with the stock bumpers?  

obviously i am know expert in the subject but, IMO, if you're really worried about the off road advantages of the approach angles, why not just cut and mod the bumper you have on there now? could be done with about the same amount of time to mount a new bumper and a lot cheaper if you have the tools or know some one who does...I was thinking about buying new bumpers front and rear but the only way i can justify spending that amount of money on bumpers would be for a spare tire carrier. even then i wouldn't go with the high priced well known brands.


anyone agree/disagree?  
1998 Wrangler 2.5L 4cyl. 30x9.5 m/t tires, everything else stock, definite work in progress.

flnbar:
obviously i am know expert in the subject but, IMO, if you're really worried about the off road advantages of the approach angles, why not just cut and mod the bumper you have on there now? could be done with about the same amount of time to mount a new bumper and a lot cheaper if you have the tools or know some one who does...I was thinking about buying new bumpers front and rear but the only way i can justify spending that amount of money on bumpers would be for a spare tire carrier. even then i wouldn't go with the high priced well known brands.


anyone agree/disagree?

I agree.  I plan on building my own rear bumper/tire carrier and just leaving the factory bumper on the front.  There are just too many other things I want for my TJ that are far more benificial than bumpers.  
____________________
Staff Sergeant
176th Civil Engineering Squadron
Elmendorf AFB, AK

yeah, guys... the new bumper won't really ad much other than looks and more frome reinforcement. you can hack off the stocker.

the stock bumper won't look as good or have the fancy d-rings hanging there, and will dent easily,   it will work tho. I left mine on till it was totally destroyed, then built a tube bumper that also protected my fenders.. (something to think about there) I've managed to bend it also.

anyone seen ftgiles front bumper?  
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It's a HighRock. It's double thick in some places for strength, but overall it's light weight, less than 75 pounds.

Check out my little hook keeper from Daystar. My neighbor said I needed it...