all 15 comments

[–]RWN406TJ 0 points1 point ago

I was just looking at that smittybilt stinger today for my TJ! It looks awesome. You have confirmed my decision to purchase my own. Any negatives about it? Did you have to purchase a winch plate or does it have it already?

[–]S7DZTJ[S] 0 points1 point ago

Im pretty sure you need a winch plate. I had one but i was looking at it in store and it didnt look like it had one built in. The only negative i read online was some guy hit a van at 25 and he was suprised when the stinger bent lol.

[–]asadog1990 YJ 1 point2 points ago

They don't call it Shittybilt for no reason.

[–]xndrxwTJ 1 point2 points ago

Agreed. If you plan on crawling around the mall go far it. If you plan on seeing use on trails avoid it. The welds are not good, the paint is horrible, and the metal is cheap. I have their old version of this bumper. I will be swapping it for a real bumper shortly.

[–]1TONcherk 1 point2 points ago

You forgot the biggest negative of them all, its imported. A real shame since there are countless companies making bumpers like that right here and are reasonable priced.

[–]WallyMetropolis 0 points1 point ago

Any recommendations for alternatives?

[–]asadog1990 YJ 2 points3 points ago

I have a metalcloak front bumper and I love it. Completely customizable, made in California by a small company that prides itself on fantastic customer service and a product so good it advertises itself.

[–]WallyMetropolis 0 points1 point ago

This looks awesome, thanks.

[–]xndrxwTJ 1 point2 points ago

Metalcloak, poison spyder, tnt, genright, nates 4x4, etc. Really there are tons.

[–]JudgeWhoAllowsStuffJK 0 points1 point ago

Something has to give. Would you rather a bent stinger, or a fucked up bumper?

[–]S7DZTJ[S] 0 points1 point ago

Eactly. And I have never had a problem with smittybilt. Maybe Im not going hard enough...

[–]JustEmptyEveryPocketTJ 4 points5 points ago

If there is one thing I've learned on the various Jeep forums I frequent, it's that there is always someone there to complain if you mention something on the cheaper end of the scale. Trust me, my lift is (mostly) rough country and boy do they love to complain about it while i enjoy a lifted truck for half the price. Lol. With that said, the smittybilt stinger is not intended for use as an actual stinger bumper. That doesn't matter unless you're into some really serious rock crawling though. I think it looks cool and I've been thinking about one myself. Keep on jeepin on brother.

[–]Somedamnusername 0 points1 point ago

What is the point to having a stinger bumper? Something to protect the winch in case of a collision?

I never really considered getting one for my TJ so I don't really pay too much attention to em

[–]S7DZTJ[S] 0 points1 point ago

My understanding and Im a newer Jeeper is they are for roll overs. I also see alot more protection of the front ends critical components. I was also considering the SRC bumper but ended going with the stinger due to it not having light mounts, and Ive never seen one in my area but Ive seen a few SRC bumpers. I didnt really get it for roll protection. Someone correct me if Im wrong on their purpose.

[–]asadog1990 YJ 0 points1 point ago

They were originally made by the arctic guys so they don't get eaten by crevaces. Nowadays they are most common on rock crawlers and are used for protection in an endo situation on a steep descent. On a proper height stinger you should be able to run a string from the point of the stinger to the top of your windshield frame without having anything block it.

Here is a proper use of a stinger. There are probably a few videos of this floating around but I was too lazy to research into it.