Just a side note for the Kid, wheeling ability has little to do with weight as long as you have the power and torque to move it. Weight can help you keep that rubber on the ground. Its wheelbase. Thats why the samuri does so well and full size trucks dont. It doesn't get hung up in the middle because the wheels are so close together. Fullsize vehicles have an easier time with obsticles like The Golden Crack where a stretch is needed.
And the bumper ish. I know what Donkey is saying, but the loss of angle is going to be so minimal, compared the protection to your front and rear end, and winch mount up high. Pros far outweigh cons, and looks f-in wicked tough at that.
Avoid bad take off angles and hit the obsticle at an angle not straight ahead, no big deal.
