Help! Winch bumper, Detours not making Backbone...

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sparky27

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I have bought myself a new winch. I was excited and had visions of using this winch w my Jeep. Now as I research I am finding that Detours is not even currently producing the backbone...I do not have $1,000+ to buy an ARB bumper. What are my options if any? Any member made bumpers or bull bars that aren't a grand that could mount a winch? I feel as though I've hit a wall.
 

tommudd

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I have bought myself a new winch. I was excited and had visions of using this winch w my Jeep. Now as I research I am finding that Detours is not even currently producing the backbone...I do not have $1,000+ to buy an ARB bumper. What are my options if any? Any member made bumpers or bull bars that aren't a grand that could mount a winch? I feel as though I've hit a wall.

Pretty much have hit a wall since you don't want to spend a grand.
Anything good costs money
Find a used bumper somewhere like an RL one or ARB is about the only choice
JBA has the Matrix brush guard that has a mount for a winch but thats about it
Hitch on front , but that is not a good alternative IMO
Sounds like you may have got the cart in front of the horse
 

HoosierJeeper

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I'd find a local fab shop to build you something, even start with a winch plate and show them pics of a backbone and have them measure your KJ.
 

sparky27

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Pretty much have hit a wall since you don't want to spend a grand.
Anything good costs money
Find a used bumper somewhere like an RL one or ARB is about the only choice
JBA has the Matrix brush guard that has a mount for a winch but thats about it
Hitch on front , but that is not a good alternative IMO
Sounds like you may have got the cart in front of the horse

Definitely put the cart in front of the horse.....I didn't realize how limited the KJ is for winch mount options. I see billions of affordable options for the other Jeeps, but I don't have one of those other Jeeps.

I've tried looking for used bumpers without much luck so far.

That JBA option is cheaper than the the ARB so thank you for the suggestion. I agree about the front hitch not being a good option. If I can't find something for under $500 I'll sell the winch and get a come along until I buy my next truck.
 

HoosierJeeper

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It still might be more expensive that a backbone but at least you'll get exactly what you want. Another option is to look at a TJ or JK bumper and adapt it to the KJ. Not exactly easy but it's been done before, some have turned out better than others.
 

sparky27

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It still might be more expensive that a backbone but at least you'll get exactly what you want. Another option is to look at a TJ or JK bumper and adapt it to the KJ. Not exactly easy but it's been done before, some have turned out better than others.

Yeah I just got a reply from a local fabricator with a great reputation and he said that by the time they got done with everything the cost would be around or more than the out of the box options....

TJ or JK bumpers huh? I'll look into that now, if not I guess my winch is out of the question....at least to go on my Liberty...
 
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Myke

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Find me a used arb for an 03 and I'll sell my backbone lol
 

sparky123321

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Got to imagine a local fabricator could come up with some type of winch mount utilizing the factory tow hook brackets. Unbolt the hooks and you at least have a primary anchor point to start with.

I'm with you. I'm not spending $1,000 on a front bumper for a vehicle that's only worth around $6K. I'd rather spend that grand or even more on lockers myself. Much better not to get stuck in the first place.
 

tommudd

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Got to imagine a local fabricator could come up with some type of winch mount utilizing the factory tow hook brackets. Unbolt the hooks and you at least have a primary anchor point to start with.

I'm with you. I'm not spending $1,000 on a front bumper for a vehicle that's only worth around $6K. I'd rather spend that grand or even more on lockers myself. Much better not to get stuck in the first place.

AND right there is the reason I am still thinking about if I will or will not produce more rear bumpers with some thinking that.
Some think aftermarket bumpers are not worth it when in fact they will make you money .
Take the ARB front, didn't buy mine new but yet it made me money,
I have 500 dollar deductible, after hitting almost a half dozen years at various times with each one at highway speed, I would of been paying out over 2500 bucks on getting the 04 repaired, BUT since the ARB took each one out with no damage didn't have to pay that out. Plus there was the Camry and the Old pickup that also got taken out by it so actual savings was over 3500, minus say if I paid full price would still be over 2500 bucks.
Now how does one say they are too expensive ?
Winch over lockers? Both are needed really maybe not for you but for your friends :gr_grin:
Of course I am the type of guy who bought another KJ used for 4000 and had already ordered a lift that retailed at 2500! Only the best no matter what the cost
 

sparky27

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AND right there is the reason I am still thinking about if I will or will not produce more rear bumpers with some thinking that.
Some think aftermarket bumpers are not worth it when in fact they will make you money .

Don't worry about the people who don't think it is worth it and instead focus on the people who do. If there are enough people wanting it that you either (A) make some money or (B) make a positive impact in your community (be it off-road, KJ community, etc) then it's a win!

:
Of course I am the type of guy who bought another KJ used for 4000 and had already ordered a lift that retailed at 2500! Only the best no matter what the cost

Respect!
 
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sparky27

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Got to imagine a local fabricator could come up with some type of winch mount utilizing the factory tow hook brackets. Unbolt the hooks and you at least have a primary anchor point to start with.
QUOTE]

I'm sure they could, I contacted a popular one in my area and he said that in the end having someone customize all that up it would be as expensive as just buying one new. Maybe he is just into more extreme (and profitable) fabricating and so for him it wasn't worth the time.
 

tommudd

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Got to imagine a local fabricator could come up with some type of winch mount utilizing the factory tow hook brackets. Unbolt the hooks and you at least have a primary anchor point to start with.
QUOTE]

I'm sure they could, I contacted a popular one in my area and he said that in the end having someone customize all that up it would be as expensive as just buying one new. Maybe he is just into more extreme (and profitable) fabricating and so for him it wasn't worth the time.

Just designing a bumper takes a lot of time to do it properly. People think stick a couple of bars back in the frame rail, and there ya go. ( like some of the TJ/JK ones I've seen done :Insane: )
Right now I have 7 different designs for a front bumper, 3 with winch mount others without, each is a bit different but none to me look " just right" on the KJ , plus trying to build one that would work with both models ( 02-04 and 05-07) is a PITB. Rear I have it, couple of variations on the original but ready, just need some cash now and some one to do the bends for me, don't like welding little pieces together when a bend will do on one solid piece.
Now a shop doing one for a JK, easy and cheaper since he knows if done right he will sell quite a number of them and make back his design and fabricating time in a couple of months.
 

HoosierJeeper

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What I almost think would be a better business for such a low volume thing (although I don't profess to know this industry well) is to sell only plans/right to build the bumper. Charge a few hundred and then the designer isn't out anything if the customer doesn't build it. Could control access to the plans through a website or something, so someone doesn't have indefinite access.

No idea how practical it is, but one could probably get more commitments than selling the bumpers themselves.
 

tommudd

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What I almost think would be a better business for such a low volume thing (although I don't profess to know this industry well) is to sell only plans/right to build the bumper. Charge a few hundred and then the designer isn't out anything if the customer doesn't build it. Could control access to the plans through a website or something, so someone doesn't have indefinite access.

No idea how practical it is, but one could probably get more commitments than selling the bumpers themselves.

tHOUGHT OF THAT AS WELL
WHOOPS , sorry caps
But some companies do that either sell plans or all of the metal cut out etc for the build. Problem again is that even metal cut and bent etc would be more than a lot to even pay.
Selling plans....not sure what to even charge.
Have to admit , not downing anyone at all , but a lot of KJ owners are either new to the whole 4x4 thing or just plain cheap. To them even a spacer lift is too much.
They've never build anything and never looked at prices of even a good JK/TJ lift for example. They look on line and see a bumper for a JK for 375 bucks, not realizing its a cheap hardly fits China knockoff thinking one for a KJ should be the same price.
 

HoosierJeeper

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Have to admit , not downing anyone at all , but a lot of KJ owners are either new to the whole 4x4 thing or just plain cheap. To them even a spacer lift is too much.
They've never build anything and never looked at prices of even a good JK/TJ lift for example. They look on line and see a bumper for a JK for 375 bucks, not realizing its a cheap hardly fits China knockoff thinking one for a KJ should be the same price.

Yep.
 

righopper

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I have bought myself a new winch. I was excited and had visions of using this winch w my Jeep. Now as I research I am finding that Detours is not even currently producing the backbone...I do not have $1,000+ to buy an ARB bumper. What are my options if any? Any member made bumpers or bull bars that aren't a grand that could mount a winch? I feel as though I've hit a wall.
FB Messenger Detours.
@DetoursOffroad.Hardware
He is taking orders through messenger. He'll send you a PayPal invoice to your email for your payment. 3 week backlog when I ordered my KJ Backbone this past Thursday. He's back filling orders, but not fully up with the website and full product line.

Patience young grasshopper...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
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sota

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tHOUGHT OF THAT AS WELL
WHOOPS , sorry caps
But some companies do that either sell plans or all of the metal cut out etc for the build. Problem again is that even metal cut and bent etc would be more than a lot to even pay.
Selling plans....not sure what to even charge.
Have to admit , not downing anyone at all , but a lot of KJ owners are either new to the whole 4x4 thing or just plain cheap. To them even a spacer lift is too much.
They've never build anything and never looked at prices of even a good JK/TJ lift for example. They look on line and see a bumper for a JK for 375 bucks, not realizing its a cheap hardly fits China knockoff thinking one for a KJ should be the same price.

I'll admit to being a cheap ass bastard most of the time, but when I do do something I tend to do it right. (OME lift, western hydraulic plow, wheels/tires, etc.) I'm willing to spend the $$$ when I can see the value. oh and I tend to keep my vehicles for way too damn long as it is. :D
 
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