THEM – Typical replacement bumpers are made from A36 steel that has a yield strength of 30,000 psi (the stress point in which the material permanently deforms or their case dents or bends)
WILCO – Company use heat-treated, 4130 chromoly steel with a yield strength of 75,000 psi that is 2.5 times stronger than standard steel used by others.
WILCO – Company 6061 T6 aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 40,000 psi. Therefore their .125-inch thick aluminum delivers the same strength as .170-inch thick steel at half the weight.
STRENGTH VS WEIGHT
Traditional thinking believes that in building off-road bumpers must be made of heavy steel–and the more the better. Most bumpers are made of 3/16” hot rolled, A36 grade low carbon steel. Good stuff when used in the right place. In fact, they use it on their tire carriers and in certain key places on their Jeep bumpers. But if you’ve been around the off-road scene long, you come to learn that more is not always better. Fact is there’s a big downside to adding extra weight to your off-road rig. You want the protection of a solid bumper, but the extra weight robs power and may require heavier springs to keep the suspension working like it should. Wilco Off-Road bumpers save weight while increasing strength and durability.
MC2X METAL COMPOSITE BUMPERS
Wilco Offroad introduced their new MC2X line of metal composite bumpers for Jeep Wrangler JK. Whether on an overland adventure or exploring the local trails, Wilco Offroad front and rear bumpers are engineered for extreme durability and performance, with less weight. “They know from their experience in off-road racing and with military vehicles, that weight is the enemy of performance,” says Paul Wilkins, founder and lead designer of Wilco Offroad. “Excess weight robs power, burns more fuel, slows handling, and breaks equipment. That’s why they developed this new line of light weight off-road bumpers”
Wilco Offroad MC2X Front Bumper
To protect the vehicle, reduce weight, and to better slide over rock obstacles on the trail, the Wilco Offroad front bumper is built of high-strength 6061 aluminum alloy with a tough outer skin of 4130 chromoly steel. (titanium upgrade available for extreme duty)
Light ports are provided to mount factory fog lamps or auxiliary LED lights. Options include a tubular steel front leading bumper with D-shackle mounting points, winch mounting plate, and an upper bumper/riser with mounting points for auxiliary lights or Hi-Lift jack.
Wilco Offroad MC2X Rear Bumper
The Wilco Offroad rear bumper combines tubular and steel plate construction with an aluminum-welded mid section that increases the departure angle and allows mounting up to a 35-inch tire on the standard Jeep door mount. Add the Wilco TireGate® tire carrier to mount up to a 42” tire. Includes a convenient support plate and wheel mount for easy tire mounting. Options include aluminum T-bar wheel mount, Hi-Lift jack mount, gas can mounts, and wheel lock.
Bumper finishes: Steel components are zinc plated before a black textured powder coat finish is applied for maximum protection. Aluminum parts first undergo a military-grade Chemfilm treatment to fight corrosion before a silver powder coat and clear top coat is applied.
Application: 2007-2015 Jeep Wrangler JK, 2 and 4-door models
ADV RACK SYSTEM
Wilco Offroad Launches Revolutionary Cab-Over Rack System for Full-Size Trucks
Wilco Offroad raises the bar for carrying extra gear with the introduction of the all-new ADV Rack System. Perfect for weekend camping, hunting trips, off-road race support, or longer treks into the outback, the ADV Rack System combines over-the-cab cargo management with secure mounting for an oversized spare tire keeping the truck bed free to haul motorcycles, ATVs, or other equipment. “The Wilco ADV Rack System effectively transfers loads from the cargo shelf above the cab back to the truck bed, creating a dynamic tension load bearing structure that flexes when driving over rough terrain,” explains Paul Wilkins, Wilco Offroad President.”
All-steel, heavy-duty construction with easy bolt-on installation using supplied grade 10.9 hardware.
50” X 60” Cargo platform supports loads up to 250-pounds on-road/100-pounds off-road, plus a 150-pound spare tire (mounting kit sold separately).
Up front, mounts are provided for LED light bars up to 50” wide, and the included fairing virtually eliminates wind noise.
Compatible with Thule and Yakima rack accessories.
Modular design allows for standard ground shipping.
Application: Universal design fits standard and long bed pickups 2000 and newer: Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra, Ford Super Duty, ’F-150 and Raptor, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra
THE HITCHGATE: A CLOSER LOOK
When it comes to outfitting the rear of your vehicle with your full size spare, there are a ton of options on the market. There is everything from full swing out bumpers that require a sawzall to install, to throwing it on the roof with a ratchet strap. Wilco Offroad aren’t here to say one is better than the other, it’s a big world out there and everybody has different needs.
Wilco Offroad saw the need for an option that is capable, lightweight, and adaptable. While some people commit their rig to be a full-time overland machine, there are a lot of people that use their rig for everyday life. Your primary offroad and overland vehicle might be your 9-5 commuter or your job-site hauler. The hitchgate is designed to be easy to install, be rock solid when you need it, and easy to remove when you don’t.
When Wilco Offroad first started designing the Hitchgate over 10 years ago, it started out as wanting to create something that can easily be added onto any vehicle and carry a full-size spare without taking away from the practicality of your vehicle. The Hitchgate (as the name suggests) mounts in almost any 2” receiver and can be outfitted in minutes onto most vehicles. This allows you to swing your full size tire, fuel, bike rack, etc. away to give you full access to the back of your vehicle
Additionally, company wanted to focus on rugged, fail proof designs. Wilco Offroad come from a background of desert racing and traveling to remote areas where gear failure is not an option. On all of Wilco Offroad hitchgates, company feature a single pull-pin design. Company went with this for several reasons, the biggest being simplicity and reliability. After testing with different slam latches, cam latches, and toggle latches, they found that they all had fail points. Whether it be miles of washboard roads, dirt buildup inside of small components, or corrosion, Wilco Offroad needed something that didn’t need service and couldn’t fail. Have you ever dug through Baja silt looking for a 1/2” long spring? They have. The single pull-pin never needs service or adjustment and can be caked with mud, silt, snow, or salt without skipping a beat. The pin comes with a tether so it can’t be misplaced, and at the absolute worst case, a simple 1/2” bolt can be substituted in at a moments notice.
Since it’s origin, the Hitchgate has evolved into a family of products that each have a different specialty. From the light-weight and versatile Solo, to the heavy hauler Offset that can carry your 40” spare, or the gear focused max that can carry everything you need. Wilco Offroad believe that it doesn’t matter what you drive, what matters is being prepared for the road ahead. Some might not be crawling through Moab or roaming Baja backroads, but it doesn’t mean that they should settle for gear that wouldn’t be up for the task.
GET LOST. BE READY.
I’ve always been directionally challenged. I’m that guy who can be a few blocks from the house and not totally sure how to get home without consulting my phone. Growing up riding dirt bikes in the desert my dad taught me two things. One, always be taking mental note of the surrounding landmarks: power lines, mountain ranges, etc., so you can find your way home. And two, never leave camp without a full tank of gas and a full Camelbak™.
The desert can be a very disorienting place. Riding or driving across the desert, you get in a rhythm looking at the terrain right in front of you. It’s all fun and games until you look up and ask, “where’s camp?” It’s a thrill to head out into wide open country like the desert with no preplanned route and no destination. To be completely free to make split second decisions on your direction. However, with great freedom comes great responsibility. When you get lost, run out of gas, or suffer a flat tire, will you be ready?
Here’s to the freedom to get lost and the readiness to make it home.