Now that I finally installed a Logan's non winch front bumper, I'm beginning to look towards the next step and fab up some grill/front end protection. I'm not keen on the pre-runner look but I really like something like the ARB grill protection or a variant. At work we powder coated a lot of modified stock car front and rear bumpers and it got me thinking. I liked the look of the rear modified bumper but it's not wide enough without adding to it's length (which wouldn't be a problem). Just trying to noodle this and gather some ideas.....
http://www.daymotorsports.com/proddi...not+assembled.

 

Take a look at http://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/extr...erokee-xj.html or http://www.trailready.com/bumpers/jeep_cherokee.html

 

Anything available for protection to add to a stock bumper on a '96? I've had too many close calls with deer this yr. Mainly interested in protecting the radiator area.

 

Don't waste anytime with adding anything to the stock tin bumper. They are so flimsy that a typical brush guard if installed on one will just lay back right into your header panel if hit by anything. Buck up for a good steel off road upgrade with good mount brackets.

 

Search, plenty of brush guards to choose from, all would work

 

Here is a brush guard recently posted. In NY.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f74/ch...-guard-181732/

 

X2. You're better off buying or fabbing a new bumper. Consider what a non winch goes for ( $200-250) and what the damage from a deer hit could be. Last fall, 2 coworkers hit deer and between them the damages were over $10,000. So spending a little more than you might want to is really cheap insurance....

 

I can APPRECIATE what y'all are saying about wasteing my time. Thing is the tranny went out of the wife's Blazer last week so funds will be at a minimum for quite awhile. Might have to look for something used. Worst I've seen the deer on the roads in many yrs so I've got to do something.

 

I never drive faster than 50 mph after dark. It may seem ridiculous, but I'm terrified of hitting a deer with my Jeep. I would recommend driving slower and upgrading your headlights, if you haven't already.

 

i wasted two deer with my old XJ; a little one with the stock bumper that left a small dent, and another one that was a good size with a homemade steel bumper... no damage. sometimes its just unavoidable, both times i dont think i was going faster than 45 when i saw it.

to stay on topic, nates makes cheap solid bumpers.

 

It all depends on your budget. Logan's non winch bumper is awesome (e-bay). $229-240, not too shabby considering the damage it might hep prevent.
Good headlights are a must. Consider a harness upgrade too.....

 

Did the harness upgrade w/SilverStar sealed beams over a yr ago. Definitely helped. Guess I'll check out the places y'all mentioned and see what I can do.

 

I added a Dirtbound Hoop kit on my Rigidco Bumper on my XJ.

 

Yea,something that would do it or even the one on the XJ behind you. But money is tight for awhile and no one gives those away. In fact I just got a call about the wife's Blazer. Looks like we're in the $1600 range to get it back on the road.

I recently installed a C4X4 tow hook kit so really all I need is a decent bumper to bolt to my factory bumper brackets. I used well casing on a Power Wagon yrs back and have been thinking about using some for a bumper on my XJ. Looks like if I were to drill a hole in each factory bracket I could mount the casing with u-bolts then weld or bolt my CJ push bar.

 

The one behind me is a JCR bumper most rigs in Utah have a brush gaurd due to lots of open range area and mule deer like to jump infront of you.