ARB bumper question

[Paradiddle]

I bounced into an ARB front bumper on the super cheap. There are some things I'm not enjoying about the design (winch mounting primarily) but I'm going to run it for a while.

I do have a couple of questions that I haven't found answers for.

1 - can you cut the insanely large roller fairlead mount off without harming the strength of the bumper. I've read one post from 20 years ago that said it was "structural". It has three small tabs that penetrate the front bumper but the rest is surface welded on. I'm going to run a hawse/synthetic line and that roller mount is huge.

2 - I've read at least one person that says they got a 9.5xp to fit. It's about .5" too long so you would need to hog out part of the inner support. Anyone done it? Pictures? I would much prefer to get the 9.5xp as it has the larger more powerful motor then the xd9 and pulls incredibly hard and fast, and it only $100 more then the XD9.

Thanks

 

[Goose_XJ88]

My opinion is that if you plan to cut the piece that juts out of the front of bumper flush, there probably isnt any loss of strength. Notching the braces up top will probably weaken it a little but probably not going to notice a difference. If you get in a wreck bad enough to damage the trimmed braces, you'd prob damage it beyond repair if the braces were complete.

 

[FusiliJerry]

I assume you mean the one with the integrated full width brush guard and the built-in turn signals?

Shame to hear a negative account of one, I've been pining for one since I got my XJ. I've seen them painted body color and they almost look like they could have been part of some factory offroad package.

 

[Paradiddle]

I assume you mean the one with the integrated full width brush guard and the built-in turn signals?

Shame to hear a negative account of one, I've been pining for one since I got my XJ. I've seen them painted body color and they almost look like they could have been part of some factory offroad package.

I have nothing negative to say about it. It is designed in a particular way that limits the winch you can use - which is fine if you have the winch(s) it was designed to fit. It is the brush guard one - that's the only ARB bumper they make for the XJ.

They are one of the best looking bumpers made for our trucks - that is for sure.