So I may get chastised here but as I mentioned in another thread about the guy with the axle shaft issue after regearing and the shop not stepping up -- to rake them over the coals, I also feel that there is a need to praise a company when praise is due. So before we go nutty about the "quality" of Smittybilt, let's look into who they are. They are owned by Transamerican Auto Parts. Who else falls under TAP? G2 axle and gear which I've heard some solid things about -- at least another player in that realm. Rubicon Express -- Again, may not be the RK, MK, or what not that are for the hardcore wheelers but a decent choice IMO. Procomp -- I read from people on here with the ProComp lift, tires, shocks, etc. Can't be THAT horrible. GoWarn -- Not sure what to make of this. Warn Industries looks to be its own entity but still. And finally Smittybilt.

When I bought my Jeep, I don't live anywhere that could cause significant damage. Most of Florida is flat and I rarely get north or north/central where there begins to be rock gardens. I'll do trails but nothing like folks see outside of Florida. But I knew I wanted the "look" at least and dug the stinger (even though I doubt I'll meet an incline where I may need it). I couldn't justify spending too much and since Morris 4x4 was up the road for me, my impulse purchases took over. So I grabbed a Smitty front bumper with a stinger and I LOVE IT! The finish has held up superbly. Then I got the step/rock rails and again, dig those. For my purposes -- I doubt I'll smash them on a rock. If I do and the panel isn't dented, they're inexpensive enough to appreciate they've done their job. Lastly was the rear bumper.

I wanted a tire carrier with my rear bumper and at the end of the day, I was going to go LoD. However, I didn't know if the finish would match the rest of my powdercoated items (trivial I know). So while at Morris, I asked if they had the Atlas bumper in stock. YEP..2. I grabbed one. That was November 2014.

Install went well but had the bottom of the jerry can bases rub the bumper. I blew it off after fiddling with alignment and chalked it up as maybe thicker powercoat being rubbed off. Sent some e-mails to their contact on their site several times with no luck. So when I washed the jeep, I'd wipe a little oil on the spots that were beginning to show rust just to keep it to a minimum. Well, I opened the carrier up the other day and well, I figured it'd be time to call since no response in e-mail.

Called Smittybilt and spoke with Ray. Super cool guy. I explained everything to him and he asked for a few pics and the receipt. No sweat. Had to call Morris for a copy of the receipt since I burned the last one to protect myself from my wife!! Ray e-mails me back asking for a shipping address and all of my contact details. They're sending a new setup! A NEW SETUP! How rad is that?

I can't speak for other manufacturers but I'm sure many do this. For a rear bumper running $1000, it's nice to get support when needed. For all the animosity I read towards Smittybilt, I will give it to them that are top notch in my book in rectifying issues with their product. Ray was super cool in communicating with me and I couldn't be happier.

Ultimately, some will ALWAYS "buy USA" and I'm all for that. Quality is better, etc. Sometimes this is true. Heck, may be true with this bumper. But other manufacturers have SNAFUs as well. I'd like to hope they offer the same sort of support but as we see, somethings, that is not the case. Maybe it's a pointless post but maybe someone who's like me...who could spent $1500 on a rear bumper/tire carrier can spend $1500 on both bumpers and sliders because they're not running KoH or anything too wild and this can help them decide.

 

I too can say I have had good luck with smittybilt. No complaints yet. Yes the back bumper got surface rust through the winters but in western pa. Everything I own has gotten surface rust. I bought the I-rack II and I have used it for jerry cans coolers and other items and have had no issues. The xrc front bumper has taken a few hits and no issues up there. The xrc winch acts goofy some times. Out=In and in=out ( which I think could just be a contact issue) I have had no issues with my smittybilt products and will probably look into the new flux fenders once 4WD gets them in stock as well as the step/rock sliders

 

Yeah...I'm digging those Flux fenders!

 

RE went into bankruptcy a few years back and TAP bought them cheap.
I actually have not had problems with procomp except for shocks. The axle shafts and gears from G2 have held up very well for me.

 

I also have the xrc stinger bumper, rails and winch. Going on 6 months or so and zero issues. They look good and like mentioned above I don't see hardcore trails to warrant extreme protection. I love the look and for the price feel they can't be beat.

 

I had smittybilt stuff on my yj. If you aren't going to play in the rocks sb is fine. Their stuff held up reasonably well considering the abuse I put on it, but it will not take a serious hit in the rocks. My frame mount sliders kept getting closer to the tub. All in all, for the price it is a great product. Just realize, you get what you pay for. Its not lod or evo stuff for sure.

 

i have smittybilt front/rear bumper and narrow fender flares. bumpers have taken a few hits (a deer at 40mph too) but i don't play in the rocks. no more damage than a little chip off the powder coat. i do think the welds on the flares look kinda cheap, all in all i like my smittybilt stuff

 

Just a quick update. I couldn't be more pleased with the service I received from Ray and Smittybilt. This all took place on 24 August. Some calls, some e-mails back and forth. Some pictures were sent. BOOM! Last Friday, the 28th, I received a call from a trucking company saying I had a delivery scheduled for Monday. Had no idea about it. Figured it'd take a week or more to process from Smitty. Asked who the sender was and they said it's "Auto parts...Procomp and G2". Excited, I thought I'd ask if I could just pick it up. "Sir, it's 270lbs on a pallet!" Ok...Sounds good. See you Monday.

Tropical Storm Erika scared me thinking I wouldn't get my goodies but lo and behold, on my birthday, 31 Aug, my new bumper and tire carrier arrived! Pristine condition! Can't wait for the weekend to swap it out.

So, THANK YOU SMITTYBILT!

 

My shittybilt experience:
Winch plate: Required lots of reaming of the holes to make it work. Other than that it worked well for a couple years until I built a winch bumper.
Air compressor: Died in the middle of the sierras. Fortunately I was able to get air from someone else. Use a vair now.
Fire extinguisher holder: So far so good.
Synth Winch Rope : Haven't used it but a couple of times but the one time I pulled a Range Rover Disco that had rolled off the road into a ravine it got an extreme workout and held up fine. Had to winch the RR up about a 45 degree incline with only two of its wheels inflated/rolling and unable to steer.

From what Ive seen their bumpers seem to hold up all right off road. Ive seen their version of a hi lift in use and its even scarier than a real hi lift.

 

Rob -- sorry to hear about those experiences. And trust me...I'm in South Florida and have zero affiliation with Smittybilt but I've been pleased with their hard parts. For my previous vehicles I've never skimped on turbos and things of the like. Could I get a 35R from eBay on the cheap or could I get a PTE unit for oodles of loot? I chose the PTE route and dropped coin and was happy.

Who knows, if I was out in some rocky landscape, I may feel different but here in South Florida, I have the looks and the (for our area) stout bumpers...Not to mention the fact it was replaced so quickly. While I want to support American made products, I can't -- I'd be a hypocrite. My shoes aren't from the US, heck, I shop at Ikea sometimes, my electronics are made overseas....I get the jobs part but at the end of the day, I've got 3 kids, an ol lady, and an addiction to buying vehicle crap!

I was just hoping I could give a feel good story as I've read some recently of disappointments of several vendors (in the US).