So, a minor accident made me need to get a new bumper for my jeep. In keeping with my policy of never replacing parts, only upgrading, I got a much nicer one:
Complete with new, brighter lights and an 8,000lb winch...
All total, it cost a little over $500, and I'm glad I got it, because I've already put the winch to very good use.
Whaddya think? It looks nice, but we can't see much of it because of the snow. Maybe you could post a new picture?
Maybe I have another question for you. Is it handy to have a light assembled like we could see? I suppose that it could be risky to put the car in town. Not everybody likes jeeps and I've seen already people destructing the parts of the jeep that could be destructed. A light assembled on your bumper looks a bit inviting for such people. Did you ever had problems on that case?
I like jeeps and I'm doubting to buy one, but I'm afraid that there will be put a knife in my tires for example.
Better picture:
While the jeep is amazingly resistant to damage from nature, it is very vulnerable to vandals.
Luckily, I live in a rural area, where this isn't a problem. If you live in a big city, you probably shouldn't get a jeep, because they're meant solely for off-road use, and it's a shame to never use them in that capacity. (While most cars look horrible when dirty, I'm of the opinion that a clean jeep is a disgrace.)
These lights are actually less vulnerable to smashing, because they are mounted on pivots that will allow them to bend back away from the blow, which has already saved them at least 3 times from being shattered.
You can dismiss worries about tire-slashing if you buy a warranty from the tire store when you buy them. A good policy will repair or replace the tire no matter what damaged it, and pay for a tow truck to come help you if you need it. (And, actually, these large, off-road truck tires are much thicker and more durable. They would be more difficult to slash than ordinary car tires, because they're designed to drive over sharp jagged rocks without being cut.)
The jeep is very non-secure though. The hood does not lock, anybody can undo the latches and open it at any time. The soft top can be cut, or simply opened from the outside without a key, using the zippers. The doors do lock, but you never should lock them because then, thieves will cut your $2000 roof to get your $100 phone on the seat.
And it is true that not everybody likes jeeps. If you use it off road, you'll never want to go back to anything else. If you use it on road only, you'll hate it. The only city advantages are small size and amazingly tight turning radius. While the short wheelbase, high clearance, long-travel suspension, and tough, spartan interior are great assets off-road, they make on-road driving much less enjoyable. pretty nice looking setup you got... and you are definitely right about the jeeps vulnerable to vandals; my roomate had his spare stolen off the back for no apparent reason.. needless to say, he locks his spare to his rear bumber now.
| jabce85 wrote: |
| my roomate had his spare stolen off the back for no apparent reason.. needless to say, he locks his spare to his rear bumber now. |
Uh, you could just use what my jeep had... One of the bolts holding my spare tire on was a lock-bolt. It required a specially shaped wrench to remove.
Oh, and the apparent reason...
The tire is worth between $80 and $120, and the rim is worth $100 to $250. ^.^It looks very nice and useful, especially when I have a look to the environment of your picture. It can always happen that there is a tree blocking your way, and with your configuration, it won't take long time to get that tree away. I already had a problems with trees on my way and I can assure you that there was no way to come through it. Even with five men, we were not able to clear the way without tools.
Nice set up I gotta say, and real nice choice on bumpers I really like the look, being a hot rod guy looks are almost as important as function. I'm sure for some folks that isn't the case, but for my own tastes it needs to look appealing as well as work well. No sense having a nice looking vehicle with some POS bolted on the front, and claiming it works good....if you get my drift.
You know all your points about a jeep and it's function as an off road vehicle are so true, but then again almost all off road vehicles suffer from the same sacrafice comfort for function conundrm. True jeeps are more vulnerable than other vehicles with the soft top and all. But you gotta admit jeeps sure do look cool.
ocalhoun, I gotta say real nice looking jeep, and great choice of bumper and winch, looks good, thanks for sharing.
| BigGeek wrote: |
Nice set up I gotta say, and real nice choice on bumpers I really like the look, being a hot rod guy looks are almost as important as function. I'm sure for some folks that isn't the case, but for my own tastes it needs to look appealing as well as work well. No sense having a nice looking vehicle with some POS bolted on the front, and claiming it works good....if you get my drift.
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^.^ It's great fun to see people who think like that and buy expensive parts that look good actually go out on the trails... You get to laugh at them when their junk is broken or not good enough, and you made it through just fine with something you paid 1/10th of the money for. When the rubber (and metal) meets the boulders, it's form-follows-function or die.
A form follows function philosophy does create a kind of austere beauty though. You see it in jeeps, guns, tanks, jet fighters, et cetera... anything that was designed solely for maximum performance.
| Quote: |
You know all your points about a jeep and it's function as an off road vehicle are so true, but then again almost all off road vehicles suffer from the same sacrafice comfort for function conundrm.
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Of course, the jeep starts with the assumption that off-road capability is far more important than comfort.
| Quote: |
| True jeeps are more vulnerable than other vehicles with the soft top and all. |
More vulnerable to people yes, but far less vulnerable to nature.You're right it is always a fine balance between choosing something that looks good and works well and is rugged enough to hold up to whatever you need to throw at it. Done a fair amount of off roading myself living in Colorado, and it is hilarious to see some shmuck with a spiced up shiney 4x that falls apart on the trails, when it comes to off road, simple is usually better, looks as well as function.
Thing is, having fabricated quite a few things in my life I have to say that it doesn't take much effort to design and build something that looks good as well as being functional. The problem is with so many things looks take presedence over function because most people have no clue as to how things work, and buy solely off the "looks good" feeling about it. I've also run into quite a few fabricators that are of the opposite behavior, they will build something that works well, but looks......well....butt ugly. Both attitudes baffle me, like I said, it only takes a little more effort to design something that looks good and works well.
You are so right, there is a beauty in things that are designed solely for function, as you pointed out Fighter Jets look at how great they look and it is only for areodynamic purposes. I also agree about guns as well, like the M14 and M16, some of the best looking firearms out there.....in my opinion.
THank god u have the sense to use the jeep what is is made for
shame to see 24 inch chromies on them and seeing them driven and CARED for like they are family sedans
buy a jeep, get in stuck in the mud. get out without any help
BEEP BEEp!
