RX Front Bumper
The AEV 2018 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator RX Front Bumper raises the bar for front end protection with a host of innovating design features and manufacturing processes that truly set it apart from the rest – even the factory steel winch bumper. Designed, tested, and manufactured in the USA, the AEV RX Front Bumper provides an unrivaled level of functionality, style, and protection for your Jeep.
AGGRESSIVE STYLE. MAXIMUM CLEARANCE.
The AEV 2018 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator RX Front Bumper has all the same core features as our EX Front Bumper, but it includes short corners instead of the full-width corners for a more aggressive look and maximum tire clearance. This is a great option for anyone running aftermarket fender flares with tires over 40” tall. Additionally, the AEV RX Front Bumper itself sits both higher and tighter to the body and with a better approach angle than the factory winch bumper. If you are looking for a bumper without limitations, this is it!
HOT STAMPED BORON STEEL CONSTRUCTION
The AEV 2018 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator RX Front Bumper is manufactured out of Hot Stamped Boron Steel (HSBS) and features an OE-quality, multi-stage E-coat/powder coat finish for maximum corrosion and UV resistance. Hot Stamped Boron Steel is an ultra-high strength, press hardened steel that is commonly used in automotive applications for passenger impact protection because it is lightweight with an extremely high yield strength. The complete RX Front Bumper weighs approximately 90 pounds, yet it is stronger than a bumper weighing twice as much.
SUPERIOR WINCH ACCESS AND VISIBILITY
What good is a winch bumper if it is difficult to use? The factory winch bumper allows mounting a winch to your vehicle, but the clutch handle can be difficult to access and the winch line visibility when spooling your winch is very poor. The carefully thought-out profile of the RX Front Bumper solves both of these issues, offering plenty of accessibility to the clutch and a better view of your winch line during recovery operations – even with hoop mounted lights!
VISIBILITY OVER ANY TERRAIN
Lighting is a critical component to traveling safely through remote backcountry, so the RX Front Bumper allows for the installation of AEV 7000 Series LED Off-Road Lights underneath the center hoop with the use of the optional Off-Road Light Brackets (sold separately). This allows easy access to the winch and its components. All various OEM fog light options are compatible with the RX Front Bumper and install seamlessly with the supplied brackets and bezel.
If you are looking to maximize light output to illuminate the ground in front of you and help cut through fog, snow, or heavy dust and silt, you can add a 20” light bar behind our optional Front Bumper Skid Plate (sold separately) using the optional Front Bumper Skid Plate Light Mount (sold separately).
Additionally, a Trail Cam Relocation Kit is available to relocate the camera to underneath the center hoop for an unobstructed view of the trail head.
READY FOR ANYTHING
The AEV 2018 Wrangler/Gladiator RX Front Bumper is up for any recovery task that may present itself, with two Hi-Lift Jack guides and a pair of heavy duty, chassis-mounted recovery points that are tested to meet all OE load specifications and are appropriately sized for ¾” anchor shackles. A 10,000lb Warn Zeon 10-S winch (or other similarly sized winches) can be added to the RX Front Bumper with the use of our optional Winch Mount. An Optional Non-Winch Cover Plate is available for customers who don’t plan on installing a winch and wish to cover up the winch opening.
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA
AEV is committed to US manufacturing to bring you the best quality, materials, and craftmanship. The RX Front Bumper is proudly designed, tested, and manufactured right here in the USA and carries a lifetime structural warranty and a 1-year warranty against corrosion – both applicable to the original purchaser and from the original date of purchase.
Key Features:
- Fits 2018+ JL Wrangler and 2019+ Gladiator (all trim levels)
- Aggressive, high clearance design
- Hot-Stamped Boron Steel (HSBS)
- Compatible with Warn Zeon winches
- Roto-molded hoop assembly
- Compatible w/ OEM fog lights
- OE-grade e-coat and powder coat finish
- Front Trail Cam Compatible
- Made in the USA
Product Video
Installation:
Installation Guides:
Product FAQs
Since this bumper’s high clearance design has roots in the rock crawling world, we designated it as our RX Front Bumper. Our upcoming full-width Front Bumper will carry the «EX» designation, being more of traditional design and popular for expedition/overland use.
How do I know if I have a GEN 1 or GEN 2 RX Front Bumper?
If you have an EX Front Bumper, it is a GEN 2.
The GEN 2 EX/RX Front Bumper has a one-piece inner stamping and hoop assembly. GEN 1 RX Front Bumpers had a multipiece inner stamping and hoop design.
If the bumper is already installed on the vehicle, the easiest way to tell is by looking at the the area behind the OEM fog lights. If you can visibly see the plug in the back of the fog light assembly, it is a GEN 1 bumper. GEN 2 is closed off.
The picture below illustrates the one-piece inner stamping/center hoop design of the GEN 2 bumper.
What is Hot Stamped Boron Steel? What is so great about it and why switch from traditionally stamped steel for the JL/JT Front Bumper??
Hot Stamped Boron Steel is an ultra-high strength, press hardened steel. Hot stamping is the process, Boron Steel (aka Usibor) is the material. Hot Stamped Boron Steel is most commonly used in automotive applications for passenger impact protection because it is lightweight with an extremely high yield strength. We originally chose this material for the factory-installed AEV skid plate package installed Colorado ZR2 Bison because of its high strength-to-weight ratio but also for its hardness and resistance to gouging. Hot Stamped Boron Steel also has a chemical coating that further enhances corrosion protection of the bumper stampings.
As we learned more about this material, we recognized an opportunity to utilize this material and process for the RX Front Bumper. Not as an attempt to reduce weight but rather as a way to significantly increase the strength and durability of our bumper without adding more material and weight.
All of the «A-side» stampings of the RX Front Bumper are Hot Stamped Boron Steel, as well as the corner-to-corner fairlead stamping and the optional Front Bumper Skid Plate. The frame tie-in mounting brackets are traditionally manufactured with mild steel.
Will I still be able to use my front camera?
Yes, we have an optional Front Camera Relocation Kit available to move the camera from the grille to the center hoop of the bumper.
What brand/model winches are compatible with the AEV RX Front Bumper?
The AEV RX Front Bumper/Winch Mount was designed primarily with the Warn Zeon line of winches in mind. The Warn Zeon 10-S is the same model winch offered on AEV’s JL Wrangler and JL Gladiator conversion packages. Other brand/model winches may also fit if they have overall dimensions that are equal to the Warn Zeon winch and can be mounted in the same orientation. AEV recommends that anyone attempting to install a winch outside of this model, do some independent research prior to purchasing either the winch or this Front Bumper/Winch Mount.
Can this bumper be used without a winch mount?
Yes, the JL/JT RX Front Bumper can be used with or without a winch mount.
Is there a way to attach a front license plate?
Yes! Actually, two ways. customers not installing a winch, the bumper has provisions to a direct attachment, covering the fairlead opening in the front. If you are installing a winch, then we recommend one of our Hawse or Roller Fairlead License Plate Kits. These are both good options to keep you legal, without becoming a nuisance when you need to operate your winch.
From your pictures, it looks like the center hoop, lights and winch block off too much airflow to the grille, is this something I have to worry about?
No. We spent years (literally) developing and testing this bumper in a variety of ways and conditions to make sure this bumper would perform well and without compromise BEFORE it made it on the front of any customer owned vehicles. The RX Front Bumper has seen everything from the daily commute to high altitude rock crawling to a multi-day overland trip across the desert.
How do I attach off-road lights to the the RX Front Bumper?
An optional AEV Light Mount Kit is available, which allows you to «suspend» a pair of 7″ AEV 7000 series lights from the center hoop on the RX Front Bumper. This allows for better airflow to the grille, while also providing better access to your winch.
The center hoop has a «channel» running along the backside, making it very easy to hide all your wiring for a super clean and professional looking install.
Are the recovery points mounted to the bumper or the chassis?
All of recovery points on any AEV bumper are mounted to the chassis and tested to meet or exceed the load ratings of the factory recovery points we are replacing. We would NEVER recommend a bumper-mounted recovery point on any application.
The center hoop is rotomolded? Is that really durable enough?
Absolutely. While the outer shell is rotomolded, it is actually very thick and surrounds a steel «spine» which also serves as a channel to run your light wiring cleanly and out of sight. Going with a roto molded center hoop proved to be much more versatile and lighter than something like a cast aluminum center hoop.
Will I eventually be able to convert the RX Front Bumper into a full-width bumper?
No, the RX Front Bumper will not be able to be converted into a full-width bumper. In order to make the upcoming full-width (EX) Front Bumper (coming Q1 2021) perform in a similar manner to JK front bumper in the event of an accident, we had to support the corners in a way that drove a different backside structure. The upcoming full-width EX Front Bumper will allow for multiple corner configurations.
Is OEM Front Skid Plate compatible with the EX/RX Front Bumper?
No, the OEM Front Skid Plate is not compatible with our EX/RX Front Bumper. We offer our own optional Front Skid Plate that is designed specifically for our EX/RX Front Bumpers.
What does the Front Bumper skid plate protect and how do I mount an LED light bar behind it?
The Front Bumper Skid Plate protects your sway bar, impact beam, and steering as well. The is an optional LED Light Bar mount available that allows for a 20″ LED light bar to be mounted safely behind the skid plate, making it almost impossible to damage off-road. Having the LED light bar below the bumper really helps with visibility during inclimate weather.
Please note: The light bar brackets bolt to the winch mount, so it’s required for that accessory but not for the skid plate itself.
Can this bumper ship via standard FedEx Ground or does it have to go truck freight?
Our JK Bumper was shipped as one piece, which made it impossible to ship any way but truck freight. Lesson learned, so we took a page out of our Ram playbook and went modular for the RX Front Bumper. One of the advantages of going with a modular bumper design, is we can break it up into multiple boxes for shipping. This allows the RX Front Bumper to ship via FedEx ground.
What type of finish is used on the RX Front Bumper?
We use a multi-stage, e-coat and powder coat process on these front bumpers which offers far superior UV and corrosion resistance. Additionally, great attention was paid to ensuring that standing water is able to drain out properly and exposed hardware was kept to a minimum.
Additionally, keeping any exposed bare metal to a minimum is critical. We recommend picking up a can of AEV’s touch-up paint if you happen to scratch the finish of your front bumper or skid plate. It’s the correct color and texture to keep your bumper looking good for years to come.
The RX Front Bumper carries a lifetime structural warranty and a 1 year warranty against corrosion — both applicable to the original purchaser and from the original date of purchase.
Where is the RX Front Bumper manufactured?
Proudly made right here in the USA!