I like the idea of fabricating a front bumper but am trying to figure out if you replace the front bumper how would it affect the airbags? Where are the airbag sensors and how do they work? Would the airbags still operate? Is there even a good point to mount a good front bumper too?

By swapping out the front bumper your adding what a hundred pounds? Now say you add a roof basket thats another 50 pounds... We'll need to be adding power just to keep the same performance especially when you add on the lift kit and larger tires weight too... Maybe to save weight it would be smarter to go with a tube bumper to save weight.

Is anyone else thinking or currently planning on either a full replacement bumper or modifying their current one?

JeepJim, The airbag sensors are not mounted on the bumper. I did not see where the 2 sensors are placed but they are somewhere inboard and behind the bumper struts. Are you talking of replacing the cover or the bumper itself?

Unfortunately I am finding out how exposed the air conditioning condensor and radiator are to damage.

My intentions were to replace the bumper with either a bullbar style bumper or a winch style bumper by removing the entire stock bumper assembly, the cover etc... and replacing it similar to what the Liberty guys have done with their trucks. But I do not want to loose the functionality of the Airbags.

Ok, so I got some time to look this up on the service manual and I hate to say it but the front bumper and the grill are all one piece...so this will make it alot more difficult for us.

Check out these posts:

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2544
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4388

I built some mounts, like two smaller trailer hitch receivers that come out the stock bumper. Im building a tubular bumper for it in the near future, the new bumper will just pin on.

Its the best i could come up with for a 1 piece bumper and grill. Might work for you.