$895 (HD) - $650 = $245
, and the HD bumpers are going up atleast 5% if not more the beginning of 09.
As far as new products before the front bumper goes, the LD rear took a 2 minute phone call "delete the cutout for the hitch and delete the holes for the carrier spindles, make the bumper shell out of 1/8" instead of 3/16" and that's all". Sliders and roof racks use the same simple jigs, took only a few hours to design, and are made entirely in house, so very little cost involved in design and prototyping. The KJ, KK and XJ sliders are all slightly different in some of the lengths, but they are all built in the same jig, so no time spent building new jigs. The HD rails, sport and basket racks all use the same jig for all KJ's, so same goes for that jig.
The front bumper has to be designed differently for two models of KJ. During the design and test fit phase I keep making changes here and there to make sure it is going to be right when they do go into production. The rear bumper went through 6 generations of changes before it got to where it is now, and it was a lot simpler to design than the front. I'm not wanting to do that with the front bumper, just want it right the first time. When prototypes now cost me over $1200 each just for one set of cut and formed bumper parts, plus time and cost to put them together, I don't want to screw up too many times. When the fronts are done, people will be impressed, I promise. The front designs are done for the most part, just making little tweaks here and there with my poster board mockups to rule out higher possibilities of someones jeep being just a little "off". ARB front bumpers are awesome bumpers, with almost 0% difference between them, and with ARB having sold god knows how many, even one person on here didn't get one to line up right without making alterations. It's not rocket science, but it isn't a dot to dot coloring book either.
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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4
I’m not trying to persuade anyone, but………… the benefits of the HD do not stop at the tire carrier. Additional advantages include the jerry can carrier with a mounting place for a hi-lift. Also, the built in hitch receiver may come in handy. And, when you’re not using the hitch receiver for towing purposes, you could use it for a receiver shackle. These added benefits may not be a big deal for some, but these are the reasons why I‘m buying the RL HD bumper. The weight difference between the HD and LD bumpers are probably less than 35 pounds. However, the total cost difference is pretty big if you add in both carriers. You’re talking $1,700 for the whole kit and kaboodle. However, for those who are like me and have to piece things together, you can always buy the HD bumper and then later order one carrier at a time. For what I do and where I travel, these bumpers are insurance for me. 
