Tube bumpers and safety inspections

[Kevin B.]

So I was chatting with Scotty/AddictedOffRoad on another board, and we got to talking about his front bumpers and Utah safety law. Apparently he's got a lot of customers running his front bumpers in these parts, which surprised me, because I didn't think they'd pass inspection due to the 5 inches high requirement. Anybody running an AOR/TrailGear/4xI style front tube bumper on a street-legal vehicle? If you don't mind saying, what's your experience been with safety inspections?

 

[chans]

Its supposed to be 4 1/2" and extend the width of the body so technically only a few inches at the very end are less than 4 1/2" where they narrow into one tube. There are plenty of them on the road and DOM tube is by far safer then plastic and C-channel sheet metal of most bumpers now a days.

 

[Kevin B.]

Its supposed to be 4 1/2" and extend the width of the body so technically only a few inches at the very end are less than 4 1/2" where they narrow into one tube. There are plenty of them on the road and DOM tube is by far safer then plastic and C-channel sheet metal of most bumpers now a days. View attachment 71574

You know, that's kinda what I got around to wondering right after I posted this - the manual says 4.5 (not 5, I misremembered), and it's got to be the full width of the truck, but it doesn't actually say it's got to be 4.5 for the full width. If these bumpers are passing inspection, that'll be one more purchase for my wife to get mad at me about.

 

[Kiel]

I have heard of people having issues with them passing

 

[ricsrx]

my front bumper would not pass, needs to be 4.5'' all the way to the end

 

[gorillaxj]

You know, that's kinda what I got around to wondering right after I posted this - the manual says 4.5 (not 5, I misremembered), and it's got to be the full width of the truck, but it doesn't actually say it's got to be 4.5 for the full width. If these bumpers are passing inspection, that'll be one more purchase for my wife to get mad at me about.

It all comes down to the inspector... I think UT's safety manual is VERY poorly written with lots of grey area left to the inspectors discretion. How ever I would argue It doesn't state it has to be 4.5" for the entire width so Its not mandatory, but who says the HP that pulls you over will "agree" lol Also Is the 4.5" solid? or total height? doesn't specify... as 2, 2" tubes spaced apart 1" is 5" total height, but only a 4" bumper.

I have heard of people having issues with them passing

I have seen it go both ways in the same shop... I hope they Drop Safety inspections due to the "grey" area they leave at the inspectors discretion and the inspectors risk... It needs to be stated clearly.

 

[Deweyxj]

The rules are a joke! Look at the back of most delivery trucks & semi trailers! They have something like this _l___l_ made out of 2X3 C channel & a bobtail semi truck has mud flaps for protection! What is to stop you from going underneath in a rear end?? Certainly not your 4.5" tall, full body width, state required bumper!!:amy: I'm just going to pop rivet a set of JK "Plastic Fantastics" to my rig & I dare them to turn that down!!

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Based on what I am reading, then the bumper would be fine. The lower tube extends from the winch mount all the way to the outside edge of the grill:

 

[thenag]

I have never had a bumper that was 4.5 on my rig. My bronco front was 4inch all the way, the rear was 4 and tapered down to 2 inch on the corners.

I have front and rear ridgidco bumpers on my xj, the rear could probably be considered 4.5 inch all the way, I haven't measured it. The front tapers to the corners and is not 4.5 all the way.

I have lived in Utah since 2005, I have never failed for bumpers. I have failed for worn tie rod end, cracked exhaust manifold, "leaky power steering", leaking brake cylinder. I have been told that "I would like to see some more ridged mud flaps"... but never bumpers

I keep expecting to fail because it does say 4.5 inches, so I am ready to modify if I fail or get ticketed. That is the price we pay for driving on the road, the alternative is a truck and trailer.

I think you have a minimal risk of not passing with a tube bumper, if you know that you might have to modify it, go for it.

nathan
99 xj

 

[bryson]

I have never been bothered for bumper height, and I have had several that were nowhere near the 4.5" requirement. I suppose if someone was in a bad mood, they could ding you for it, but I'd bet you can get away with it without any hassle.

 

[Samersen]

So this isn't quite the same as bumpers, but tube fenders what has happened with those are they good to go? I have been looking at saving for these.. http://www.Metalcloak.com/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-LJ-YJ-6-Overline-Front-Flare-p/2261.htm but since they taper in the front I am wondering if they would pass. What to people think?

 

[Tacoma]

that doesn't look to me like they cover the top of tire at all, so I'd say keep your money.

 

[gorillaxj]

that doesn't look to me like they cover the top of tire at all, so I'd say keep your money.

X2, hard to say for sure form the link, but it doesn't look like it covers the top of the tire.

 

[TJDukit]

So this isn't quite the same as bumpers, but tube fenders what has happened with those are they good to go? I have been looking at saving for these.. http://www.Metalcloak.com/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-LJ-YJ-6-Overline-Front-Flare-p/2261.htm but since they taper in the front I am wondering if they would pass. What to people think?

I have the JK 6" overlines. They cover the top of the tire all the way out on width but as it starts to taper coverage decreases dramatically. Near the bottom on the back there is only about 50% coverage. I bought the jeep with them on it so no experience with an inspection yet.