Hello I'm looking for reason on the pro's/cons going with a
-Full Width winch bumper
-Stubby winch bumper

I have 4" Tera Flex Long arm lift kit 35x12.50x17r Tires.

I prefer the looks to a full width. But the cost from what I can tell about 40-60% more than a stubby winch bumper. So my question is what's the reason to go one or the other besides costs/looks? I know that the stubby allows greater angles of approach for tires so you don't hit bumper before tires start to climb. But other than that is there anything that I could be missing?

Anything that you can do to inform me on a different angle or experience that you've had with either or and regrets for going one way or another.

These are the criteria that I MUST have met though for bumper considerations.
-Holds a Super Winch EPI9 without having to cut/drill more holes
-Powder coated black
-Has two shackle points for D rings

Many thanks for you sharing your knowledge

 

A stubby is not only gonna increase your approach angle but will also improve maneuverability in those tight situations. There are many things that I can do now with my stubby that I couldn't with a full width without clipping a rock or tree or whatever... I love my stubby functionality and I wouldn't even dream of going a different route. And it's pretty cool to be able to see the shock tower and whatnot haha

 

The stubby will give you the ability to get a tire on an obstacle sometimes where a full width might not allow the same thing. This can help you get through an obstacle sometimes. The full width will protect your fenders better, and also provide more protection to the front of the Jeep usually. Also most front full width bumpers are swept upwards towards the tires to give allow more of the tire to be exposed to help you get a tire onto an obstacle.

 

Also the issue of weight.

when in tight trails it is nice to know when you are close to a tree that the only thing that will hit is a tire and nothing else will impeed your progress

 

The stubby means you can pretty much go to any tire/wheel combo you want without worrying about rubbing issues. It's also very convenient when you want to climb something by approaching it at an angle with your front tire.

 

Stubbies are not street legal in some states/provinces.

 

x2 check your state laws or get one of the component systems (like the RR XHD) and switch back and forth.

For me, I went full width as I have a habit of hitting stuff. I have not personally ever been in a situation where I wished I had a stubby, but that is just me and the places I am going. If I ever need a stuby, I can have one in about two minutes by taking off the wings.

 

Stubbies are for little girls

pretty much covered here.... I think full width looks better unless you have chopped flares

 

x2... but more politely. I just don't like how they look.

 

What kind of wheeling do you do? Everything said here pretty much applies to a stubby or mid-width. If you wheel where there's a lot of brush, a full-width helps bash down the small trees before your body panels and fenders do.

So - it depends.