UTE front bumber for 3G trucks... have Q's...

[fkovalski]

I am thinking of ordering a UTE front bull bar bumper replacement for my truck, see sig. I like the fact that it is aluminum and weighs only 140 lbs.



My questions are: Even though it is aluminum, I assume that it would provide adequate protection to that of a similar heavier steel counterpart?



Has anyone had any cooling (overheating) issues? (i. e. is there more restriction for cooling air?)







.

 

[Gifford]

No cooling \overheating issues with the Ute installed on my 2nd gen. I did strike a coyote @ 70MPH with no damage. I didnt know they made a UTE for 3rd gens, now I'll hafta ck it out for my 2006

 

[mgoncalves]

Can't comment much on the UTE, other than they look good.

When I was shopping aluminum bumpers, I couldn't make up my mind, and decided to have a shop build a steel one for me. The shop backed out of the price they qouted me, so I went back to aluminum. I ended up getting a Herd. 150 lbs, and very stout. My only complaint is there is no place to mount the license plate so I had to get creative. No cooling problems at all.



If it matters, Ute was a couple hundred higher than Herd, and then Ali-Arc was about half price of the Herd. Ali-Arc would have been my first choice, but they are on EVERY truck around here.



As far as strength goes with aluminum, you won't hurt them hitting a deer or antelope, but much more than that and they do give. I think the Ali-Arc with the lower rake may be the best bet if you run over a lot of critters.



Matt

 

[fkovalski]

Herd...

Ali-Arc ...

Links to any of these companies?



I did a google but no links came up.



ON EDIT:

I found link to the companies in this thread: Aluminum Bumbers

 

[wyosteve]

You guys might want to check out the thread in the 2nd gen. forum right now. Apparently Ute in Seattle is closing out 2nd and 3rd gen bumpers for $1500 plus shipping. I'd like to see one on a 3rd gen. out of curiosity.

 

[sid325]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and got my bumper. Fit and finish is great and the quality is first rate. It took me a hour or two to get lined up, I'm a slight perfectionist, but it turned out great. Thank you Randy@Ute for your help.



Jacob

 

[JHardwick]

I personally think that they are plenty strong enough, stronger than the stock bumper for sure. You can make a bumper as stout as you want, but the whole system is only as strong as the weakest link. I prefer my bumper to give rather than my frame



Mine is due to be polished ... ... .....



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[seafish]

JHardwick, what lights are those mounted on your bumper? Are they the Hella FF200 xenon? Got a link? TIA

 

[BILLVO]

What is the closeout price of the UTES I see they have a few left and How thick is the main bumper body aluminum and would it stand up to a deer collision? I know the aliarcs don't do well at all.

 

[JHardwick]

JHardwick, what lights are those mounted on your bumper? Are they the Hella FF200 xenon? Got a link? TIA

They are FF200 halogens, not the xenon. I just did a google and ordered them from a warehouse with the best price ... ... ... ... I can dig out a receipt from PayPal if you'd like me to.

 

[seafish]

They are FF200 halogens, not the xenon.

--they look great on the Ute !!

Do you run them with your high beams or your low beams?? How do you like them. I am still trying to figure what I am going to do for excellent low and high beam lights on my truck. Don't bother with the receipt yet, Thanks.

 

[JHardwick]

--they look great on the Ute !!

Do you run them with your high beams or your low beams?? How do you like them. I am still trying to figure what I am going to do for excellent low and high beam lights on my truck. Don't bother with the receipt yet, Thanks.

I tapped the relay into the high beam wire, they produce so much light that a XTreme white or xenon shouldn't really be needed. The UTE positions the factory fogs a little higher off of the ground, so by adjusting them and the factory lamps, I have a pretty confident feel on dark roads ... ... ... ..... and night time driving is starting to be a problem now that I'm 40, LOL.

 

[PJay9]

JHarwick turned me onto the UTE. I live in Puget Sound area and was able to get quick delivery. Only problem I had was that the first one had a very bad deep scatch in it that was undectable until all the wrapping came off. The second was just fine, but needed a little buffing where the wrapping was damp next to the Alum.



The bumper is great lined up with a little effort and bolted on just fine. Getting the facotry off is another issue... it took me most of the day to do the complete job. I have an overhead hoist which really helped, not weight but bulk makes it hard to move.



I mounted aftermarket yellow fogs, needed to make a 90 to mount them, all bolts behind bumper are there for good adjustment, only thing is the hole is not a circle but made for the factory fogs, I really didn't like the factory fogs, it really isn't an issue. I then mounted drives on the cross bar, which has a flat plate for such purposes, that was an easy install. Fogs work with factory switch and drives are switched separately.



It looks good and feels right on the truck... also I installed a Buckstop rear bumper... it is really nice too. Clear lens in rear is a STT LED RED, very bright, back ups are KC under bumper and is a nice kit to install.



THey will not be making this bumper any longer as the company has bigger OEM contratcs... hope someone fills in.



YEP it was $1500. No shipping for me. As i am in the back yard of the distributor.

 

[UAV]

I'm curious what the perceived benefit of an aluminum bumper is over steel? The reason I ask is my ARB Bullbar (steel) is comparable in weight and cost to the UTE according to what I've read in this thread. After my experience with the ARB I am satisfied with its front-end protection.



A friend of mine posted the pics back in October https://www.turbodieselregister.com...iscussions/191237-dodge-arb-1-magnum-0-a.html. I was able to drive away with a few small scratches and a bruised ego, had I not had the bar that morning would have been much worse.

 

[PJay9]

I like the aluminum for the look as well as the weight reduction compared to size of bumper... it appears the ARB may be a bit smaller overall, not sure just looks that way. I would think the protection would be similar, but the Alum being more maluable could bend and help absorb shock... but who knows only the test guys, so it comes down to looks I guess, anyway I have a 2WD and sit lower and I like the day running light and extra amber turn... plus had a good way to mount my drives and good protection for the fogs down low. Plus I can put a winch in if desired or a front reciever from Tork LIFT, has a kit. Have a great day and I like your ARB on the 4x4... it is nice... if I had a 4x4 I would have gone with the Buckstop front as well. It looks like 4x4 and mine is a little more refinded for RVing and boat hauling. I just like it is the best answer!

 

[kscheffler]

Pj

Who made your rear bumper is that a UTE product also?



Also: What are you guys using to polish your UTE bumpers?

 

[PJay9]

Rear is BUCKSTOP in OR. They make fronts as well all steel. I have yet to polish it... I did buff out some spots with buffing compound. I will probably need to know the answer the this question as well come spring.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Those are actually decent looking.

I can't tell from the pictures, do you lose the tow hooks?

 

[PJay9]

Tow hooks get displaced... but come the good weather when I can get under the truck and ponder how to install, I will find a way... may require some metal work fellow to help... yet the hole where the plate is also becomes the hole for a winch or front recvr from Tork lift and I expect hooks could go there, too. But what to do with the plate? Thow it away! HUMMM!!!!

 

[PJay9]

Update, I am on a trip across the US and a felow pulled out in front of me... ran a STOP... the UTE did its job!!! I am still on the road after the hit. It pushed the bumper back so i could open the hood... soon resolved... loosened the bolts and pulled it out. But i have to say the bumper is dented and buldged at supprt points... I guess the front of my truck would have been toast if it had been the OEM... would have lost bumper,grill, headlights and possibly some up front stuff. Sure gald i have it! Suggestions on fixing it... can the alum be worked by a pro? PJ