If you’ve spent any time in the off-road world, you know there are a few trails that every Jeep owner dreams about: Moab, the Rubicon Trail, and Johnson Valley, home of King of the Hammers. Each of these places will test your rig and your driving skills in completely different ways. Moab rewards smooth throttle and careful tire placement, the Rubicon punishes anything less than solid armor and patience, and the Hammers combine desert speed with rock crawling chaos.
To run trails like these with confidence, you need more than a lift and bigger tires. You need trail-proven jeep accessories, solid armor, and Jeep upgrades built for real-world abuse. This guide dives into how our Poison Spyder upgrades can turn a capable Jeep into a trail-ready machine, built to take on Moab, the Rubicon, and the Hammers.
Let’s break down how to get your Jeep ready for these iconic destinations.
Understanding Trails and How To Beat Them
Moab, Utah, is one of, if not the most recognizable, off-road destinations in the world. The red slickrock delivers unbeatable traction and steep ledges that test your nerves and your gear. The views go on for miles, but so do the climbs and drops. Trails like Hell’s Revenge and Fins and Things reward control and clearance, and they punish anything that hangs too low or flexes too much.
The Rubicon Trail in California is the definition of slow and technical. It winds through the Sierra Nevada with granite boulders, uneven shelves, and narrow forest passes that leave no room for error. It is the kind of trail that pushes your Jeep from every angle and exposes the weak spots in your build. Even the best drivers cannot avoid contact on the Rubicon, which is why strong armor is not optional here.
Then there is Johnson Valley, home to King of the Hammers. It is pure chaos for 2 weeks, from the last week of January through the first week of February. One mile you are running wide open across the flats, the next you are crawling through sharp rock gardens that can tear open a weak skid plate. Every part of your Jeep is under attack out here, from the front bumper to the rear axle.
So how do you prepare for all three? You start with armor that is built for impact. A high clearance front bumper keeps your approach angle tight and gives you a solid mounting point for a winch. A strong rear bumper protects your corners and departure angle when you drop off ledges or back through tight spots. Rock sliders guard the most vulnerable part of your Jeep and let you pivot when the trail gets rough. Skid plates protect the undercarriage, keeping vital components out of harm’s way.
This is where Poison Spyder stands out. Our bumpers, sliders, skids, and fender armor are built for the trails that ruin ordinary gear. Each piece is made from heavy-gauge steel, laser cut, and brake-formed for an exact fit. And all of our parts feature SpyderShell Armor Coat that shrugs off rust and road salt. Poison Spyder parts are not just accessories; they are what let you drive away from anything with your Jeep intact.
Essential Armor for Extreme Terrain
Jeep Trail Prep with the Fundamentals
Before hitting any of these trails, make sure your Jeep’s foundation is solid. Check all the mechanical essentials, including fluids, belts, hoses, brakes, and steering components. Replace anything questionable. Make sure driveshafts and U-joints are greased and tight, suspension bolts are torqued, and your steering is solid.
Tires matter more than most realize, especially if you plan on running technical trails. For these trails, 35-inch or larger tires hit the sweet spot. Check for dry rot, air down for traction and comfort, and carry a tire repair kit, extra valve stems, and a compressor. A simple puncture shouldn’t end your day.
Reliable recovery gear is another part of pre-trail prep. We recommend having quality soft shackles, a durable tow strap, a satellite communicator, and recovery boards, to name a few. Keep your gear clean, organized, and rated well above your vehicle’s weight. A solid recovery kit is one of the most important tools you can carry; it’s what gets you and everyone else back on the trail when things don’t go as planned.
Once the basics are handled, that’s when the right Jeep accessories and Jeep upgrades really start to shine. Good prep keeps you out there longer, and good gear makes adventures a lot less stressful.
Poison Spyder Front Bumpers and Rear Bumpers
Whether you’re running forest roads or chasing the toughest trails on earth, Poison Spyder bumpers deliver the strength, clearance, and protection your Jeep needs. Each one is made from heavy-gauge steel, finished in durable SpyderShell Armor Coat, and built to handle real trail abuse.
For a lot of builds, upgrading front and rear bumpers is one of the first big steps into aftermarket jeep parts, because they change both how your Jeep looks while upgrading the protection on the front and rear ends.
Brawler-Lite Front Bumper (JK 2007–2018)
A minimal design that maximizes clearance. The Brawler-Lite uses 3/16 inch plate steel with internal gussets for strength without the weight. A 1 ¾ inch bar guards the grille and winch area, while recessed fog mounts keep lights safe from rocks.
Brawler-Mid Front Bumper (JK 2007–2018)
The Brawler-Mid improves approach angles without frame cutting. Its tight design boosts clearance and accepts most winches, while recessed fog buckets and the optional Brawler-Mid Skid Plate for extra protection
Bruiser Front Bumper (JK 2007–2018 & JL 2007- Present)
The Bruiser Front Bumper gives full-width protection and aggressive styling. Similar to the other bumpers, it features recessed cube light mounts and has an easy bolt-on install.
Bruiser-Mid Front Bumper (JK 2007–2018)
Built for rock crawlers who want more space for their tires, the Bruiser-Mid adds even more clearance. And just like our other front Bruiser bumpers, you have recessed light mounts meant for aftermarket cube lights, space to add a winch, and a simple bolt-on design.
Rock Brawler II Rear Bumper (JK 2007–2018)
The Rock Brawler II features a high-clearance, multi-angled design that improves departure angles and protects corners. It includes a built-in hitch, recovery tabs, and recessed light mounts.
Bruiser Rear Bumper (JK 2007–2018 & JL 2007- Present)
The Bruiser Rear Bumper is made from 3/16 inch steel with an integrated Class III receiver hitch and recessed light cutouts. It’s a durable upgrade that looks as good as it performs.
Crawler Rear Bumper (JK 2007–2018 & JL 2007- Present)
The Crawler Rear Bumper combines style with performance. Made from 3/16 inch plate steel, it includes a Class III-rated hitch, recovery tabs, and recessed light mounts, plus compatibility with the Poison Spyder Frame-Mounted Tire Carrier.
Bumper Model | Bull Bar Options | Lighting Compatibility | Winch Mount | Jeep Fitment |
Brawler-Lite | High Bull Bar | Recessed fog lamp mounts | Top mount winch | JK |
Brawler-Mid | High Bull Bar | Recessed fog lamp mounts | Top mount winch | JK |
Bruiser | Low Bull Bar | Aftermarket cube light mount | Recessed Winch Mount | JK, JL, JT |
Bruiser-Mid | Low Bull Bar | Aftermarket cube light mount | Recessed Winch Mount | JK, JL |
Crawler | Low Bull Bar | Recessed fog lamp mounts | Top mount winch | JL, JT |
Choosing the Right Poison Spyder Bumper
Easy trails & forest roads: You may only need a front bumper. Depending on what you drive, the Brawler-Lite Front or Bruiser Front Bumpers are great options.
Moderate terrain & off-road parks: Depending on how technical the trails are, you may want a front bumper and rear bumper. We would suggest the Brawler-Lite Front or Bruiser Front Bumpers paired with the Rock Brawler II Rear or Bruiser Rear Bumpers.
Hardcore trails like Moab, Rubicon, or King of the Hammers: You will absolutely want front and rear bumpers to tackle these trails. Our Brawler-Mid Front or Bruiser-Mid Front Bumpers paired with the Crawler Rear Bumper is the ultimate setup.
Dialing in the right combo of front and rear bumpers is one of the simplest Jeep upgrades you can make that pays off on every single off-road trip.
Poison Spyder Rocker Armor
Your Jeep’s rocker panels take more hits than almost any other panel. Poison Spyder’s Rocker Armor is built to absorb those blows and keep you moving. Each set doubles as a step and a jack point.
If you’re shopping for rugged Jeep parts and wondering where to start, sliders should be an important step. They take the hit so your doors and rockers don’t have to.
Rocker Knockers (JL 2018-Present)
The Rocker Knockers are built for hardcore rock crawling and fit 4-door JLU models only. Made from 3/16 inch steel plate with 1.5-inch DOM tubing, they use a mini-boat side design that lets your Jeep slide off rocks and back onto the trail. They are designed with an integrated rub rail that protects your doors and angled facets that allow clearance for up to 40-inch tires.
Our rock sliders can double as a step and a jack point for versatility. They mount directly to the frame with included Grade-8 and stainless hardware and require no cutting for installation. Each of our Rocker Knockers will come coated with our SpyderShell Armor Coat finish backed by Poison Spyder’s limited lifetime warranty.
Brawler Rockers (JK 2007-2018)
The Brawler Rockers for JKU models are a two-piece rock slider made from 3/16 inch plate steel. The upper section sits right along the body for a factory fit, while the lower section forms a strong rub rail and step.
They are designed with internal gussets that reinforce the structure, and the angled ends allow clearance for up to 40-inch tires. These sliders give your Jeep a true pivot point when crawling and hold up to the hardest impacts.
Poison Spyder Under Armor
Poison Spyder skid plates are made from laser-cut 3/16-inch steel and finished with SpyderShell Armor Coat. Designed to mount directly under Poison Spyder bumpers, they protect your crash bar, sway-bar disconnect motor, and lower frame from trail impacts without compromising clearance.
At some point, you’re going to scrape the underside of your Jeep out on a rocky trail. Skid plates are the aftermarket Jeep parts that make sure it’s just a scrape and not a broken component.
We offer a few different skid plate options depending on your model and which Poison Spyder bumper you are currently running. Here are our options:
