Steel Armadillo Front Bumper

[Matt]

That's a lot better!

How are the shackle mounts installed? Wonder if the can be centered more to help even out the look so there's not so much open space above.

This will work with the 4xg front guard?

[Matt]

Measured the new bumper today, The front edge is 5.5 inches from the grille (exactly the same as the OEM bumper).

The bumper face is 9.5" tall if that helps.

Just measured mine. Stock bumper sticks out 6" from the grille and has ~7" tall face. Based on winch measurements, I can see how it's impossible to not increase the size of the front face.

Note that my 4XG receiver sticks out 2.5" below my front bumper... thereby being equivalent to the bottom of the SA bumper. I don't see this being an issue with approach angle at all. And when i just went outside to take this picture, i think i just answered my own question of if the front guard will work. Actually looks like it'll be almost a perfect match...

[Holaday07 4.7]

Hmm, I guess it just looks like it kills the approach angle. Certainly looks durrable though. Are the shackle mounts tied into the frame in any way?

[Matt]

Hmm, I guess it just looks like it kills the approach angle. Certainly looks durrable though. Are the shackle mounts tied into the frame in any way?

That's a good question- in a previous post he mentioned the shackle mounts are optional, which makes me think they can be moved. Having the shackle mounts on the bottom and as far outwards as possible doesn't do the size of the bumper justice.... kind of like a fat lady wearing a dress with horizontal stripes lol. I think if the mounts were moved up and more centered in the open space on each side of the winch, they would break up the size of the face a bit (like in that other bumper i posted).

[Holaday07 4.7]

Gotcha, that first pick looked like weird too. Currious on the shackle mounts because of the weight of our vehicles. Match that to a winch and whatever has stopped forward progress, it would suck for any part of the equation to fail

[LWM]

That's a lot better!

How are the shackle mounts installed? Wonder if the can be centered more to help even out the look so there's not so much open space above.

This will work with the 4xg front guard?

I will take a photo with the 4xg front guard when I return from vacation (Jacob has one on his Commander in my driveway)

Are the shackle mounts tied into the frame in any way?

The eight bolts that you see holding on the shackle mounts actually hold the bumper on to the mounting system hidden behind the bumper. The shackle mounts need to use these eight holes in order to give you the most strength but I will examine the mount when I return from Moab and see if we can modify it to center it vertically on the bumper. We had to lower the bumper on the last day to fit the top of the bumper and that is why it looks so tall (no way to hid the winch in a smaller box).

[pjmjr508]

I like what I see so far

[Omelet]

Nice work Jon! Function over looks right Whats the thickness of the steel you guys used? Are there reinforcements in the corners (under the headlights)?

[LWM]

Nice work Jon! Function over looks right Whats the thickness of the steel you guys used? Are there reinforcements in the corners (under the headlights)?

I will have to ask the thickness question when I get home from Moab, we can go thicker or thinner once people voice in. Lots of reinforcements on the corners, the photos don't do a good job but there are more to come.

[Matt]

Jon I'm putting together a spreadsheet of winch options. Based on the size of the Smittybilt XRC8, how much extra room is there for the length, depth and height dimensions?

I would imagine there's some room for the length and depth, but the height is probably tight. For example:

XCR8. = 21.00 x 6.22 x 7.29
XRC10 = 21.15 x 6.30 x 8.60
M8000= 21.04 x 6.30 x 7.60
.... I would guess the XRC10 is too tall but am curious about the M8000.