So you’ve got a JL or JLU and you know you want a Motobilt front bumper… but which one?
This guide walks through the main options that fit the JL/JLU (many also fit the JT Gladiator and JK, but we’ll talk like you’re building a JL).
We’ll start with how you use the Jeep, then break down each bumper family and the configurations.
How do you actually use your JL/JLU?
Daily driver / mild trails
You want better approach angle, winch mount, recovery points.
You still care what it looks like in the school or office parking lot.
Weekend wheeler / moderate rocks
You want to protect the frame and steering.
You’re okay with cutting plastic, trimming liners, maybe a frame chop.
Hardcore crawler / future 40s
Approach angle and strength are everything.
You’re not scared of cutting the frame and committing to a more “built” look.
Keep that in mind as you read through the options below.
Option 1 – Crusher Series Front Bumper (JL/JT)
Vibe: Classic Motobilt stubby bumper. Great all-around choice.
Styles available (JL/JT): Motobilt
Crusher Series Front Bumper for Jeep JL and JT Gladiator
Crusher Series Front Bumper w/ Bull Bar for Jeep JL / JT Gladiator
The “bull bar” here is your tube stinger.
Why choose Crusher:
Stubby design for better approach angle vs stock.
Integrated recessed winch mount and recovery points.
Clean, simple look that still works great as a daily driver.
Who it’s for:
If you want a tough, clean bumper that looks good on a daily and still wheels well on the weekends, Crusher is the “default” Motobilt choice.
Option 2 – Crusher Series HD Front Bumper (JL/JT)
Vibe: Crusher, leveled up. Additional fog light holes with optional skid plate and upgrade to fabricated stinger.
Styles available (JL/JT): Motobilt+1
Crusher Series HD Front Bumper for Jeep JL/JT
Crusher Series HD Front Bumper w/ Tube Bull Bar for Jeep JL/JT
This is the tube stinger version.
Crusher HD Front Bumper for Jeep JL/JT with Fabricated Stinger
Bumper + fabricated stinger
Crusher HD Front Bumper for Jeep JL/JT with Bull Bar and Skidplate
Full package: bumper + either stinger option + skid protection.
Think of it this way:
Base HD bumper – stout, low-profile, no stinger.
HD with tube stinger – same bumper with a classic round-tube stinger welded on.
HD with fabricated stinger & skid – the “all in” setup with a more aggressive fabricated stinger, bolt-on, plus skid protection underneath.
Why choose Crusher HD:
Beefier front end for harder hits, bigger tires, deeper trails.
Ability to add either a tube stinger or a more aggressive fabricated stinger.
Integrated Fog light holes
Skid plate option to protect the lower frame and steering area.
Who it’s for:
If you’re building a more serious trail rig that needs fog lights or want the most protection Motobilt offers in a non-frame-chop bumper, the Crusher HD is your lane.
Option 3 – Hammer Series Front Bumper (JL/JT)
Vibe: A little wider and more “finished” than Crusher, with strong street manners and trail capability.
Styles available (JL/JT): Motobilt
Hammer Series Front Bumper w/ Fog Mount – fits Jeep JL / JT
Hammer Front Bumper w/ Bull Bar w/ Fog Mounts – fits Jeep JL / JT
“Bull bar” = stinger with JL/JT fog-light mounts.
Hammer Series Front Bumper w/ Fog Mounts and Skid Plate for Jeep JL / JT Gladiator
Hammer Front Bumper w/ Bull Bar, Fog Mounts & Skid Plate for Jeep JL / JT
You’re basically choosing:
With or without stinger
With or without skid plate
Why choose Hammer:
Integrates better visually with stock and wider aftermarket fenders.
Lets you keep JL/JT fog lights for a more OEM+ look.
Skid plate options give extra protection for trail use.
Top mounted winch that looks clean if you haven’t installed a winch yet.
Who it’s for:
If this is your daily that sees weekend trail time, and you want fog lights + a finished look, Hammer is often the sweet spot.
Option 4 – Tomahawk Frame Chop Front Bumper (JK/JL/JT)
Vibe: High-clearance, frame-chop bumper that screams “this thing gets used.”
Styles available (for JL/JLU fit): Shop Jeep JL / JLU Bumpers
Tomahawk Frame Chop Front Bumper for Jeep JK, JL, JT
Tomahawk Frame Chop Front Bumper w/ Bull Bar for Jeep JK, JL, JT
That “bull bar” is your stinger.
Key points:
Frame chop required. You’re trimming the front frame horns and the low hanging frame horns.
This tucks the bumper tight to the frame for maximum approach angle.
Very compact and high-clearance around the tires.
Rubicon’s must replace the factory sway bar with an Anti-Rock style sway bar.
Why choose Tomahawk:
Huge improvement in approach angle vs stock.
Lighter and more compact than full-width, non-chop bumpers.
The stinger option adds extra protection and an aggressive look.
Who it’s for:
If you’re okay with cutting the frame and want a JL/JLU that looks and wheels like a dedicated trail rig, Tomahawk is a killer choice.
Option 5 – Gladius Frame Chop Bumper (JK/JL/JT)
Vibe: Ultra-hardcore frame-chop bumper, with options specifically for the legendary WARN M8274 winch.
Styles available (JL/JLU fit): Shop Jeep JL / JLU Front Bumpers
Gladius Frame Chop Bumper for JK/JL/JT
Gladius Frame Chop Bumper with Bull Bar for Jeep JK/JL/JT
Gladius Frame Chop Bumper for JK/JL/JT – fits WARN M8274
Gladius Frame Chop Bumper with Bull Bar for Jeep JK/JL/JT – fits WARN M8274
Translated:
Standard Gladius – frame-chop, winch-ready bumper.
Gladius + stinger – same bumper with a fabricated stinger.
Gladius M8274 – built around the tall WARN M8274 winch.
Gladius M8274 + stinger – the full “hero shot” setup.
Key points:
Also a frame chop bumper – similar commitment level as Tomahawk.
Designed to sit extremely tight to the frame for max clearance.
Two families: normal winch pattern vs M8274-specific versions.
Rubicon’s require the factory sway bar to be replaced with an Anti-Rock style sway bar.
Why choose Gladius:
You want the most serious, competition-inspired front end Motobilt offers.
You already own (or plan to own) an M8274 and want a bumper actually built for it.
You love the frame-chop look and don’t care about “stock-ish” anything.
You need fog lights with your frame chop.
Who it’s for:
If you’re building a hardcore crawler or hero rig that needs integrated fog lights and you want the “no compromise” front end, Gladius is your bumper.
FAQ
Do all Motobilt front bumpers accept a winch?
Yes. Every front bumper in this guide accepts a standard winch mounting patterns.
This includes the Crusher, Crusher HD, Hammer, Tomahawk, and Gladius bumpers.
Exceptions / Notes:
Gladius M8274: specifically designed for the WARN M8274.
What’s the difference between a tube stinger and a fabricated stinger?
Tube stinger:
Round DOM tubing that is welded to the bumper
Lighter
Classic rock-crawler look
Fabricated stinger / fabricated bull bar:
Made from laser-cut plate steel and bolts on.
Heavier and stronger
More aggressive, modern look
Both serve the same purpose — to protect the winch and front grill.
Do these bumpers work with factory fog lights?
Hammer Series: Yes — these include JL/JT fog light mounts (most OEM-friendly). 4 bolt LED fogs only.
Crusher: No.
Crusher HD: Works with Baja Designs Squadron R’s.
Tomahawk: No — this is a hardcore, high-clearance bumpers without fog-light pockets.
Gladius: Works with Baja Designs Squardon R’s.
Do I have to cut anything to install these bumpers?
Depends on the model:
Crusher / Crusher HD / Hammer: No cutting required. These are bolt-on.
Tomahawk: Requires a frame chop — trimming of the front frame rails and replacing the factory hRubicon sway bar with an Anti-Rock style sway bar.
Gladius: Also a frame chop bumper.
Frame-chop bumpers are chosen by hardcore wheelers because they sit much closer to the frame and drastically improve approach angle. Requires frame cutting and Rubicon’s will need to replace the factory sway bar with an Anti-Rock style sway bar.
Which bumper gives me the best approach angle?
Tomahawk (Frame Chop) – the highest clearance
Gladius (Frame Chop) – 2nd highest approach angle available
Crusher (Stubby) – Highest clearance bolt on
Crusher HD (Stubby) – excellent approach angle
Hammer (Mid-Width) – still much better than factory, but more coverage = less clearance
Which bumper offers the most front-end protection?
Hammer Series = Widest coverage + heavy construction
Crusher HD with fabricated stinger + skid = strongest trail armor
Crusher = balanced protection with built in skid plate
Tomahawk / Gladius = designed for clearance first.
Which front bumper is best for daily driving?
Hammer Series — keeps fog lights, looks OEM+, widest coverage
Crusher HD Series — clean, modern stubby that still works great for parking lots and commuting
Which bumper looks best with 35s, 37s, or 40s?
35s: Hammer or Crusher both look proportional
37s: Crusher HD or Hammer (with stinger)
40s: Tomahawk or Gladius (frame-chop bumpers match the big tire look)
Do I need a stinger?
You don’t need one, but you may want one depending on where you wheel.
A stinger helps:
Keep the Jeep from going over forward on steep descents
Protect the grille and winch
Add a more aggressive look
If you wheel hard or run 37s+ in rocky terrain, a stinger is a solid upgrade.
Do these bumpers work with aftermarket fenders?
Yes — all Motobilt bumpers are designed to pair well with both stock and aftermarket fenders.
Frame chop bumpers (Tomahawk / Gladius) look especially good with high-clearance or cut fenders.
Are these bumpers powder-coated?
No. Most hardcore wheelers prefer bare steel so they can weld, add tabs, or paint themselves.
How hard is installation?
Crusher / Crusher HD / Hammer: simple bolt-on installs
Tomahawk: moderate difficulty due to frame chop
Gladius: moderate to advanced install
