I have been reading every thread and going over this again and again. I need a rear bumper with tire carrier. I want it to be:

1. a stubby,
2. the carrier to be solidly mounted,
3. the tire mounting to be adjustable
4. and it has to mount using more than just the 2 bolts on each side of the frame rail (at least also use the 4 bolts for the factory hitch).

I have come down to:

Smittybilt:
Fills the above requirements
People that have it really like it
costs about $750 including tax with 4-wheel parts coupon in 4wheeler mag
Local 4-wheel parts has it in stock
I would have to figure out the 3rd brake light

LOD:
Great looks
made in USA
has rear lights
has an option for the 3rd brake light
hitch is mounted higher for clearance
ability to mount jerry cans and a trail rack
Costs about $1200 shipped
Many posts about Loooooooooong lead times lately

Please share your thoughts and experiences.

 

WARN rock crawler

 

Check out finishlinewest.com.

 

It's hard to pay an extra $450 for a product thats going to do the same thing, but it just comes down to the fact, will you be happy with the smittybilt a year from now? If you think so, just go for it and spend that extra $450 on additional mods. If not, go for the LOD, if that's what will please you. I gotta say though, the LOD is the best looking rear bumper besides the olympic rear smuggler.(but that's $1500 and full width w/ a winch mount).

 

I've seen those before but I did want something that looks like a bumper. On the other hand I really like the way he designed that carrier. Really innovative, would make it much much easier to mount the spare.

 

You perfectly summed up my thoughts!!

 

I like that one but it is over $1400 plus shipping almost double the smittybilt.

 

with regard to long lead times, i ordered through dave at northridge 3.5 weeks ago and everything is going to arrive this week, so thats not too bad, and i ordered right in the middle of the "long lead time" they have new guys working there now so lead times are supposed to be shortened by a lot.

 

FabFours makes some awesome bumpers, but I cannot remember off the top of my head if it will fit with your "stubby" requirement.

 

The FabFour rear is sort of a stubby but does wrap around the tub, bolts down as solid as any bumper (frame and hitch mounts) but the tire mounting isn't adjustable. There is no option for gas cans, but there is for antenna and Hi-Lift. It's good up to 37" tires according to FabFours.