Calmini vs Skid Row- Rear bumper

[X-Phile]

Both cost about the same.

Both do effectively the same thing.

Skid row has options for storage of gas cans, hi-jack etc.

Calmini is currently either not making theirs for another month or so or is just dragging their feet.

But which is going to last the longest before it starts to rust through? I dont need all of the options that skid row offers, but I dont want to go with which ever one that is going to rust through, or break down first. Im hoping to get a good 7-10 years out of my X before I need to buy another toy vehicle, and since im looking at about $850 shipping included reguardless of which I buy, im hoping to get some feed on the durability/drawbacks of both.

Any insights from you's who have em' are helpful.

[ChuckH]

Both are great bumpers. The rust issue will have more to do with how many adjustable pieces there are that rub. The Calmini is a very simple bumper with only one adjustment for the tire that you pretty much just set once unless your tire size changes. So from that standpoint, it will have a small advantage. Of course if you get a base Skid Row then you will be without all the sliding attachments too, I believe.

The Calmini is better looking.

Both bumpers attach in a similar fashion, but the Skid Row comes pre-drilled for a 2" body lift if you ahve one or may add one later. With either bumper I would highly recommend paying the $90 for the Skid Row frame stiffeners; especially if you will be towing anything. The last 8 inches of the frame is not fully boxed and the stiffeners will help quite a bit to reinforce that area.

The Calmini bumper rattles and the latch isn't very good. One of our club members had his swingarm pop open when he hit a bump and twisted just the right way. And that thing really swings too! The Skid Row has a far superior latching mechanism that latches the swingarm tight and keeps it from rattling. Score some points for Skid Row there and honestly, this feature alone would probably sway me toward the Skid Row. That and the upgrade options available with it.

I still think I have the best rear bumper/tire carrier. Sorry; not sold in stores!

If you hadn't thought about it, I would highly recommend buying a set of SLR or Calmini AAL's to beef up the rear suspension. The steel bumpers are heavy and will take a toll on your rear spring packs.

Hope that helped somehow!

[X-Phile]

Yes, definetely a help and I remember reading about rdstars latch problem. As far as the AAL and frame stiffeners, thats on my list of to buy items. Im going to do the entire suspension at the same time. Either SLR or Calmini. Cal has a total package for about a grand, but if I go with them im gonna wait until the back up on the steering upgrade goes away so I can do it at the same time.

Calmini seems to be backed up on most everything.

BTW- Ill be the first to admit that I have no idea what im doing. I get most of my insights and info from the products mentioned here and from you guys. The only other outlet for product info comes from a buddy, and he drives a jeep, so its limited.

I know what I want my X to do for me, and I know what I want it to look like when im done. I just need to get all of the parts and put them into one big solid metal mass.

[OffroadX]

Thanks, that was definitely worth reviving a topic that has been idle for 5 months...

[X-Phile]

Side note as ive been awaty from these boards for some time now: I DID go out and purchase the Calmini rear tire swing bumper. Online instructions for the assembly of the swing would be nice since BTW- calmini sends you NONE.