Smittybilt 76810 XRC Front Bumper Vs. OR-Fab 83240BB

[Midknight]

I am going to be buying one of these bumpers tomorrow, I was wondering if anyone has experience with either bumper? HEre are a few pros/cons I have with each

Smity

Pro:
Price, I can get one for 429.99 W/free shipping
Notches for jack
easy access to winch
Cons:
winch sits high and covers part of rad
pay extra for bull bar

Or-Fab
Pros:
sleek look
484.00 w/ free shipping
bull bar already on.

Cons:
you have to take bumper off to get to winch
no notches for jack


Any help would be appreciated

[Brasscatz]

That's a tough one. I don't have either, but some say that the smart choice is function over looks, but having something you like to look at might satisfy you more

[4.3LXJ]

One thought I have on this is that winch needs to be completely accessible. As soon as you pinch a cable you will know why. If you cannot get to it, the only way to get it free is with another vehicle, which defeats the purpose of the winch in the first place

[TallGuyJeep]

I have the OR Fab. Absolutely love it. The main reason i got it was because i was worried about airflow and overheating and i haven't had any problems in that regard even during the summer when it hits triple digits.

I love the look and the ability to mount additional lights. However the light tabs on the bull bar are pretty small, more geared towards an LED bar than big KCs like i have. The hole in the tab is too close to the bar, so you can't fit a socket around the nut to really lock down the position on the lights so hand tight only. Also if you want more than two lights you will need to be creative. I haven't had the need to really do any winching, just messed around a bit, but yes the winch is difficult to access for maintenence. If you plan on doing a lot of winching i wouldn't recommend it, can be a squeeze to get to the clutch lever.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/14/6ddca7bf189f9d9cb0e6f96f7bedcb71.jpg

On the pro side of that though, is that your winch is VERY secure from any would be theives, they would have to take the whole bumper. Also something to consider is mounting of the solenoid box. As the winch is inside the bumper you aren't going to be able to mount it on the winch like usual. I have seen some people dismantle the solenoid box and mount just the electronics inside the bumper. I didn't want to go that route so i made a mount out of an old teflon cutting board, then painted black.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/14/5fac5b83ad7f3c2114bfa65d10ee0af7.jpg

The bumper is designed around the Warn M8000 winch so that's what i recommend getting if you go that route. Because the winch sits inside the bumper you won't be able to get a winch larger than 8000lbs becuase of the limited space, so if you want a 10 or 12 thousand go with the smitty.

If you plan on running big tires you are in the clear, it was designed to fit 37s no problem.

The design is pretty unique, and not many people seem to have them (at least around here) so you won't look like every other guy out on the road.

Overall i think this is an amazing bumper, especially for the daily driver weekend warrior type. I absolutely love the look it adds to my jeep. Definitely the best thing I've done to my jeep. So with that i wish you good luck, and please let me know if you have any questions are want some more pics.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/14/9c2a1f953a6d890c9668153b013aedef.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/14/387845b499cc587cb7ab7b3cbfa88fe4.jpg

[Midknight]

I bought the Smittybilt. I have to say I was pissed when I put it on and found a half inch difference between the bumper tabs and the frame. I thought I got a bad bumper. I called smittybilt and they told me the difference in width was for steering box reinforcement http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJ/XJUNF.html After I put the bumper on I noticed the weight of the bumper pulling my front down. That's going to take some getting used to. Other than that I like the bumper. Now I am going to reinforce the frame and then get the back bumper

[98FloridaXJ]

I have the OR Fab rock slider bumper and love it. It's light yet strong and their employees and owners are really down to earth and easy going. I had the rough country winch bumper mounter before it and it was just so damn heavy.