[richardrhinson]

hello all,

okay, i have a 2006, stock. i've checked the forums as much as i can, and i can't seem to find recommendations in line with what i'm looking for.

i'm looking for a good solid replacement bumper that keeps the low bulldog mutt face look styling of the stock xterra, that can accomodate either the stock fog lights, or that has mounts for something equivilant. a winch mount point would be prefered.

i'm not a rock climber, hard trail user. i'm building out for utility and function, but want to keep the existing front facing profile. arb and shrock and similar low profile front ends are not for me.

 

[TJTJ]

hello all,

okay, i have a 2006, stock. i've checked the forums as much as i can, and i can't seem to find recommendations in line with what i'm looking for.

i'm looking for a good solid replacement bumper that keeps the low bulldog mutt face look styling of the stock xterra, that can accomodate either the stock fog lights, or that has mounts for something equivilant. a winch mount point would be prefered.

i'm not a rock climber, hard trail user. i'm building out for utility and function, but want to keep the existing front facing profile. arb and shrock and similar low profile front ends are not for me.

Would simply getting one w/o the hoops work for you?

I LIKE the hoops, as they work great on the deer around here....but if its looks over function, sure, leave them off.

 

[richardrhinson]

TJTJ - actually the 'bush guard' hoop aspects are something i do want on a replacement. my issue with the ARB, and shrock and similar designs is they are meant for those that need a high clearence and approach so that the front wheels contact the hill/rock/obsticle first and not the bumper.

in my case i'm not looking to do that. simply put, if the rock/object is taller that my stock bumper, i'll stop, go around it, or go another way. what i do want is a bumper that's strong enough to handle a winch, or mount points/hooks, and that won't crumple like a stock/aftermarket brush grill.

 

[TJTJ]

TJTJ - actually the 'bush guard' hoop aspects are something i do want on a replacement. my issue with the ARB, and shrock and similar designs is they are meant for those that need a high clearence and approach so that the front wheels contact the hill/rock/obsticle first and not the bumper.

in my case i'm not looking to do that. simply put, if the rock/object is taller that my stock bumper, i'll stop, go around it, or go another way. what i do want is a bumper that's strong enough to handle a winch, or mount points/hooks, and that won't crumple like a stock/aftermarket brush grill.

Well, in real life, the winch mounts between the frame rails for the best strength, and, that's where the bumper goes to hold it. Adding more weight just to protect the air below that seems like a cosmetic affectation.....

So those bumpers will give you everything you want, except not waste steel in front of the air where the stock plastic fairing used to go.

If you want the steel bumper with the worst approach angle, because you WANT TO have to go around things sometimes, the ARB is the worst (Best?) in that regard, having the worst ground clearance...but its also the weakest of the lot.

Would you consider adding a "Cow Catcher" type appendage to go where the stock fairing used to be, if its important to you to have something there?

BTW - Its not really so much about a rock being taller than the OEM bumper...

...Remember that off road, on uneven terrain, a front tire might be in a rut, or a lower plane so the suspension is drooped for example.

That means that there doesn't need to be ANYTHING taller than the OEM bumper, merely a depression in the ground on one side that reduces your effective ground clearance.

If I could understand a motive for NOT being more capable...this would be easier to find a work around. Right now, I am struggling to find a reason for making yourself less capable with no known benefit in return.

Considering you want to mount a winch for example, this implies that you might wheel where you might get stuck (Or your buddy might, etc...)...which implies that there might be REASONS you might get stuck that you are trying to prepare for proactively.

Reducing ground clearance and adding weight are NOT typically the first thing people do to avoid getting stuck for example....larger tires, etc, sure, but not reductions in clearance, etc.

Is there something else going on that might clarify the bizarre request?

 

[richardrhinson]

TJTJ,

i'm planning a 2" lift, and 33" tires, beefed suspention, etc, to enhance the native capabilites of the stock xterra. as for desire to protect the air behind where the plastic flarings are... it is a 100% cosmetic affectation.

I like, no make that, I love, the look of the front end and front profile of the xterra. removing that to me ruins the art and style of the vehicle. i could have bought litterally any vehicle, i researched for 3 months, and then combed the used car pools for 6 months to find my xterra. manual 4x4s are not common in sunny southern california. the look of the vehicle is every bit as important to me as the capabilities, and i think the xterra is first in class on both counts.

 

[TJTJ]

TJTJ,

i'm planning a 2" lift, and 33" tires, beefed suspention, etc, to enhance the native capabilites of the stock xterra. as for desire to protect the air behind where the plastic flarings are... it is a 100% cosmetic affectation.

I like, no make that, I love, the look of the front end and front profile of the xterra. removing that to me ruins the art and style of the vehicle. i could have bought litterally any vehicle, i researched for 3 months, and then combed the used car pools for 6 months to find my xterra. manual 4x4s are not common in sunny southern california. the look of the vehicle is every bit as important to me as the capabilities, and i think the xterra is first in class on both counts.

Easy answer...go to a local fab shop, and tell them what you want to end up with and why...and they can make it for you.

That way, you get a sturdy custom bumper that matches your aesthetic and functional requirements....for not that much more than the Shrock, etc would cost you.