bumper tubing strength question

[hoobness]

i need a set of bumpers. I like the SmittyBilt SRC line of bumpers - especially for the price..
I also like the drag nasty creek bumpers.

I could go on.. like the body armor double hooped($$$$), or fabtechs($$$$), etc

SmittyBilt SRC are .120 DOM. Is that strong enough to take heavy bashing with out getting bent?

I have shrockworks rockers. the tubing is .180 DOM, I have no doubt they will out last the jeep. I was considering POison Spyder rockers .120 DOM until I realized that shrockworks tubing is thicker, and I assume stronger.

ASNyway how thick should tubing on bumpers be to take major blows with out bending?

I saw this jeep this summer that had a pretty strong "looking" front bumper bend it all up like it was plastic when he slipped off a boulder.

I want the bumper to take that blow and only lose paint.

It would also be nice to know that I will still have a driveable jeep in case I rear-end someone or get rear-ended.
I m pretty sure Ill be safe if I get broad sided with the Shrockworks rocker guards. I want the same security for the front and rear of my jeep.

here are the links to the two bumpers in my price range.
(I want the tube look since i have the tubing on the sides)

http://www.smittybiltinc.com/jeep_src-front-bump/main.html

http://www.dncreek.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DNC-YJ54HS&cat=12

 

[Junkpile]

Just keep in mind what you are attaching that bomb proof bumper to. The impact is going to be absorbed at some point......whether it's the bumper or the frame. Weight is ALWAYS a factor too.

Flat plate or formed bumpers need to be at least .187" but they really shoudn't exceed that either, and tube really should be limited to that, with .120" being a better choice. I'd rather replace the bumper than what it's supposed to be protecting. I've migrated towards running a simple .187" thick chassis cap cut off flush with the frame rails(looks like a factory bumper trimmed to the frame). It has it's potential downsides, but the clearance is awesome.


Oh yeah, I'd roll with the Smittybuilt. It's a .250" thick formed plate cap with the .120" tube fender protectors. It looks to have better build quality and it looks like it provides more clearance. Also it appears that the mount stretches from framerail to framerail, providing more rigidity, where the other probably mounts with an independant tab on each rail. I couldn't see it clearly though.

 

[Sparky-Watts]

True, what Junk said....if your bumper is too strong, then the frame is going to take a beating. Much cheaper and easier to replace a bumper than to deal with a bent frame. You need a little softer bumper product to absorb energy, making a "crumple zone" to protect the rest of the Jeep and occupants. Of course, you don't want to go too soft, but definitely don't go too solid.