It sounds like it's either a wrangler or a cj. I have a wrangler and face the same delema. You don't want to do either option you mention for long distance or high speed travel. I would do the front bumper option for around the beach or relatively slow secondary roads. I am still trying to come up with a solution to this myself and look forward to any input or photo's as well. I have a one piece ten footer, when the top is up the rod starts in the passenger side footwell and the tip sticks out of the rear window along the drivers side zipper. when the top is down and the tuneau is on it still starts in the passenger footwell and extends out back. Let us know what you come up with.
