Im looking at getting new frotn and rear bumpers and was wondering what yall would recommend. I would also like a rear tire carrier but am worried about ratteling and sagging with a bumper mounted one so i was looking at O-R Fab, any help would be apperectied

This is just my opinion....

Bumpers are a personal kind of thing. Just about every welder has built a set or two in his day. Some are well thought out, others are just a piece of tubing welded or bolted to the frame. Some make a good compromise in weight vs. function, others do a poor job of it.

Before anyone can give you an educated guess as to what you need, you need to specify what you're trying to accomplish. This is a national/international forum. Those of us that post here cover a full range of off roading and terrain. Bumpers that are well suited for sand and desert/rock work generally are terrible for woods and trees.

Bumpers can serve multiple purposes. Front ones can combine functions like winch mounts, hook up points, and even air tanks. Rear ones can also serve as air tanks, spare tire and hi-lift jack carriers, Jerry can carriers, etc. Both ends can have provisions for trailer hitches (ever backed a boat using a front hitch on a jeep? Its great.)

Almost all bumpers are compromises. Thickness is your friend, usually. Weight is your enemy. The things that the factory provides are terrible, without exception. They're not even good for parking lots and traffic. Many of the commercial bumpers you see advertised are show pieces. Kind of like the old "light bars" they sold for pickup trucks. At least they don't do much harm. Just don't try to push someone or worse, depend on one to protect your jeep.

Your fear of using the factory provided spare tire mount is interesting. You just can't put a decent sized tire on one, much less close the gate. Some of us have just gone to using the factory spare and taking our chances with it. I have no fear of damage to the frame from a bumper mounted spare. If the frame isn't strong enough to hold the tire, nothing on the jeep will. Most makers that have been providing that kind of bumper mount have worked their way thru the problems of metal fatigue and rattling or corrosion. They rust themselves to the point where they won't open.

Others have provided pretty good CB antenna mounts (OK, radio mounts for the ham operators.)

Most bumper makers want to sell their products. They get highly offended when a jerk like me points out the weakness. Lifes tough. I've been buying and using the same regional brand of bumpers for my 30 years of jeeping. The fabrication of them has evolved over the years, and 4 different companies have made them in that time period. I know 3 of those guys personally. Thats why I use them, because I have a lifetime warranty (their life will end if I have a problem that they don't fix!) I've not had to shoot one of them... yet.

Most of my buddies out west that attend the Jeep Safari and the All-4-Fun use the Currie style bumpers. Thats the standard of quality and weight for desert running. Thats fine for them. I live in Kentucky, and we have lots of trees and rocks. I want a more substantial bumper for the kinds of things I do.

The brand I've been running all this time is Runck. I don't even know if they've got a website. What I like about their front bumpers is the fact that I was able to abuse them into building me what I needed. Mine has clearance for my Currie Anti-Rock sway bar, and an integral winch mount. It also has sides that extend out to the side of the fenders and then uprights. That prevents small trees and saplings from getting between the fender and the bumper and causing all kinds of damage. I can also use the uprights (in the rear they protect the corners) as a strap attachment point.

The winch mount saves considerable weight over a bumper and a separate mounting plate. Works for me.

Define what you want your bumper to do for you. If its just looking good, any will do and beauty is in the eye of the beerholder anyhow. If you're seeking function, go to a national event and look at what the experienced drivers are using. Most jeepers will talk to you (or anyone). Its probably a mistake to buy early, before you see a wide selection. Also, no real reason to buy the same brand front and rear, except styling.

Hint: I can go on for hours about this.

Out here in the desert - hitting rocks - rolling on rocks - means that the light
duty bumpers just don't make it. Wash board roads at 70 mph means that the rear
tire carrier has to be supper strong - leaning into heavy - and if you do 200 mile
penetrations into the deep desert you have to have gerry cans of gas/water - two fives at least. You have to be able to mount a long high lift jack, a pull pall
land anchor, and have really good mounting points for shackles front and rear.
If you can not mount a full size 35 inch spare and have a movable bracket that will allow you to move the tire up and down a foot or so - for what ever you are doing - also move it in and out so you can mount the gerry cans or tools close to the body and move the tire out as required to project them -it is not flexible enough.

I used the BulletProof bumpers and when I rolled my jeep the bumper withstood
the roll - stopped the cage from collapsing. It did not dent or bend and I cleaned it up and repainted it and it has been doing great for seven years.

That sorta means I have every options that Bulletproof makes for there bumpers
and every one is needed here. Supper strong tire swing out tire carrier, gerry cans holders (2), shackle points, tool mounting points for jack etc, anetenna
mount, light mounts. About the only thing I did not get was the air tank and I
ended up doing that myself. Tow hitch front and rear - used more for towing and
winching.

I pondered the weight - so much that I have to use a jack to mount and dismount it
- its been off and one a few times in seven years - it must be thirty pounds heavier than other units - but my tire, jack, and winch, and filled gerry cans
are way more. The only problem I have had is the gerry cans will not stand up to
the rugged trails and die every few months ... Had to put a floor pan on instead
of a clip to keep the cans from warping and leaking.

I have a gerry can with a signed thank you note from every person who has needed gas or water from me out here - has over twenty signatures over the years - if you
add up the people who needed compressor air, jack, tow , winch, and tire repair it must be close to sixty people in nine years - and all this stuff is mounted on your front or rear bumper ... You never never leave anyone in the desert.
Cast your bread upon the waters - or in this case the sand - and it will always
be returned to you .