Guide to off-road bumpers

Changing the bumpers on your 4x4 or SUV to ones that are more suitable for off road use is a common modification. There will be several reasons why you may choose to do this but whatever the reason, you will be pleased with the advantages you gain.

It may be that you are changing your bumpers because you need more clearance at the front and rear of your vehicle.

Any gain in approach and departure angles is always appreciated by the off road driver as this helps to prevent your vehicle grounding on steep inclines. Many OEM fit bumpers hang quite low, decreasing the gap between the vehicle body and the road surface, it is always a good idea to change these as off road drivers have different requirements to those that only use their 4x4 or SUV on road.

Another reason for changing your bumpers could be that you wish to fit an electrical winch at the front, rear, or at both ends of your vehicle for recovery purposes. There are no OEM bumpers that have the fittings for a winch built in them so a change is a must. The bumper you choose needs to have space behind it to accommodate the winch itself and the tray that it fits on and also needs to have space for the rollers and cable to exit via the front of the bumper. There are manufacturers that specifically make such bumpers or you can have one fabricated to suit your needs.

While on the subject of recovery, after market off road bumpers often come with far superior recovery points fitted onto them or have points where such recovery points can be mounted. This is a much safer option when it comes to vehicle recovery as OEM tow points are seldom as strong and in some cases are just tie down points and are not for towing a vehicle at all.

Off road bumpers often have vehicle protection bars built within their construction. These bars protect vehicle bodywork and fittings such as lights, preventing damage when driving in extreme conditions. In addition to the normal front and rear bumpers it is also possible to obtain side protection bars as well, giving your vehicle the best all round protection possible.

The cost of replacing your standard OEM bumper for one more suitable for off road use can vary considerably. You can choose to buy a bumper specifically made for your vehicle, which can be costly or have one made for you which can work out quite a bit cheaper. Whichever you choose to fit, make sure it is fitted securely otherwise your vehicle may suffer more damage than if an OEM bumper was fitted if an impact is received on your bumper.