Off Roading Installed Buckstop Baja Bumper Photos

[DonCurley]

I participated in a recent group purchase on an RV associated forum for Buckstop truck bumpers, so I thought I would post up some photos of the installed front bumper on my '07 3500 truck.

Before:
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After:
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I went with the Buckstop Baja front bumper with a Warn 16,500 lb winch, PIAA 580 Xtreme white 6" driving lights, and PIAA 510 4" fog lights. I had my original Dodge dealership install these items in addition to a Tuff Country 2" front end leveling/lift kit (to counteract the weight of the bumper & winch combination). I did a before and after measurement, and the 2" front end lift was reduced by 3/4" for a net 1-1/4" gain in front end height, which is better than I expected for the extra 328 lbs being hung-off the front of my truck.

In terms of the bumper mounted lights, I will be wiring those into an Innova "Brite Box" set up, which allows for low beams and fog lights to be on when high beams are activated (for more light coverage, especially in off-road conditions).

I also had the dealership lower the Buckstop bumper assembly to approximately 1" of clearance below the headlights and associated sheet metal based on input from another Buckstop bumper owner who cautioned that Buckstop's recommended 1/2" clearance was not sufficient for off-road flexing of the frame-mounted bumper versus the body (that is, without having intermittent contact and potential damage).

Don

 

[HPetrat]

Looks very nice Don,



Have you noticed a difference in in the way the steering and handling feel?

Does it handle any better on the highway?



Just wondering as I am planning on installing some on my '98.



HP

 

[DonCurley]

Looks very nice Don,

Have you noticed a difference in in the way the steering and handling feel?
Does it handle any better on the highway?

Just wondering as I am planning on installing some on my '98.

HP

HP,

Thanks, and that's a very good question. My dealership is a 5+ hour drive from where I live, so I had ample opportunity last Friday to drive my 3500 on two Interstates, and a rather curvy state highway through the mountains after the bumper, winch, and lift kit went on. Simply put, the front end handling is different. If I stay at 60 to 65 MPH (or below), there isn't much of any noticeable difference. However, above that (65 to 80 MPH), with throwing in some undulating bumps in the road bed, and there is a bit of porpoising from time to time. It isn't off the wall, but it is noticeable. I run Rancho RS9000XL shocks and the fronts stay at the maximum 9 setting (mostly due to the weight of the CTD), so I can't turn those up any further. I can't tell how much of the handling change at higher speeds is due to the extra weight up there (~328 lbs) versus raising the front end up by 1-1/4". In truth, probably both contribute to one degree or another.

A friend of mine that went with a Buckstop bumper and Warn 16. 5ti winch on the front of his Ford F-350 last year went at this differently. Instead of using a leveling kit for the front end, he put in a set of front coil springs from a Ford F-550 to deal with the extra weight. This approach not only counteracted any resultant sag from the extra weight, but it also afforded a higher spring rate spring. My approach with the leveling kit deals with the sag from a static perspective, whereas my friend's approach also deals with the dynamic action of the front coils dealing with that weight in motion.

Based on this, I am going to continue to drive my truck both unloaded and with my pop-up camper on board for a while and see how it goes. If I decide that I want to do something more, I may consider putting in some even stiffer front shocks, or I may go with some beefier front springs. In terms of the latter, I am still wondering if Dodge 4500 or 5500 front coils could replace my stock 3500 coils (but so far, no one seems to know about this).

Don

 

[HPetrat]

Don,



Thanks for the response, you have covered all of the questions I was thinking/concerned about.



By the pictures and your response, I can see that you are a stickler for details, and that you have obviously done your homework.



Thanks for the information,



HP

 

[seafish]

Really nice looking bumper and truck... I wouldn't want to be the buck that it stops!!!! Do you know how much it weighs with and without the winch?? TIA

 

[DonCurley]

Really nice looking bumper and truck... I wouldn't want to be the buck that it stops!!!! Do you know how much it weighs with and without the winch?? TIA

From Buckstop's website, they state that the Baja bumper for a Dodge weighs 190 lbs more than the stock bumper (and I don't know what the stock bumper weighs offhand). The Warn 16. 5ti winch (which is the highest capacity Warn winch you can buy), is 138 lbs based on Warn's website. (Combined total = 328 lbs over the stock bumper alone).

 

[MSicotte]

What size are the Toyo's you have on. I have the 295/70r17 and also the Power Wagon flares as you do. I'm just trying to figure out the look my truck may have with a larger bumper in a stock height configuration, not sure if it would look funny or not. Yours looks great, and if your front end is only 1. 25" higher than stock, I may have my answer. TIA, Marc.

 

[DonCurley]

What size are the Toyo's you have on. I have the 295/70r17 and also the Power Wagon flares as you do. I'm just trying to figure out the look my truck may have with a larger bumper in a stock height configuration, not sure if it would look funny or not. Yours looks great, and if your front end is only 1. 25" higher than stock, I may have my answer. TIA, Marc.

Marc,



My Toyo Open Country MT tires are 35"x12. 50" R17 (10 ply load range E) and are mounted on Power Wagon 17" x 8" forged aluminum wheels. Even without the front end leveling kit (which really only went on for the new Buckstop front bumper & winch), there was plenty of wheel well clearance for my 35" Toyos (although I do get some very slight rubbing on full lock-to-lock turns on the lower control arms, but it isn't any big deal).



Your LT295/70R17 Toyo's are effectively 33. 3" in diameter and 11. 6" wide, so you would have all the more wheel well clearance and no rubbing whatsoever.



Don

 

[BPitts]

I think a company makes leveling springs that you can get a more hd coil and a 2' lift at the same time

 

[DonCurley]

I recently installed a Defiant steering box support and Defiant/Radflo steering stabilizer and believe it or not, they made all the difference in my post-bumper installation front end handling (at least in an unloaded state). The next test will happen in two weeks when I go on an off-road camping trip with the weight of my camper on board.



If it turns out that I need to get beefier front coil springs (although that is looking less likely now), I may look into the Dodge springs that come with the snowplow package, as I am sure those must have a higher spring rate to them. Beyond that, I still want to find out whether Dodge 4500 or 5500 front coils can fit my 3500.

 

[Regcabguy]

Lorenz 22% coils.

Don,I'm carrying a 2,000# popup all the time. I went with Lorenz's 2. 25 kit w/22% stiffer coils up front. They allow a smooth ride with my load. He sells them specifically for snow plows or aftermarket bumpers and winches. The coils can be purchased separately. These provide 2" lift up front. I had the Ranchos on my '99 and they beat me to death on our freeway expansion joints. Lorenz revalved the replacement Bilstein 7100's on that truck which dramatically enhanced the ride quality. It's costly,but an aftermarket system from Carli,Lorenz or Thuren might pay off for you especially with the camper.

 

[DonCurley]

Bob,



I have an Outfitter Apex 8 that is fully optioned, so with the fresh water tank filled and all equipment aboard, it wouldn't surprise me if I am in the 2800 to 2900 lb area (which is admittedly heavy for a pop-up camper). If it turns out that I need some firmer springs up front, your suggestion is a good one. I'll see how things go on our upcoming camping trip.



Thanks,

Don

 

[BigRedRam]

Snow plow coil springs

Our trucks all had a snow plow option when new. Has anyone tried bying the coil springs from the ******* for the snow plow option ?

 

[DonCurley]

It's something that I considered, however, I would prefer to get some front coils for a 4500 or 5500, but so far, I haven't been able to find anyone at a Dodge dealer or on-line that has a clue as to whether either of those front springs would fit in a 3500.

 

[MSicotte]

I have the KORE coils for a Hemi truck in mine, and it raised the front about 1. 5" and gave it a great ride with the Bilstein shocks. I still haven't decided on a bumper for mine yet... ... ... ... .....

 

[Bob4x4]

The Hemi springs have a lighter rate but are longer... ... ... .

 

[DonCurley]

There is no way I would go with stock HEMI springs in a CTD equipped Dodge (they didn't even cut the mustard when I had my '07 Power Wagon with the HEMI gas engine). While they are dimensionally taller, they lack adequate spring rate for the weight of a CTD over the front axle. Adding a heavy front bumper and winch would just make that problem worse. Anyway, since I don't think I am ever going to be able to find out whether 4500 or 5500 front coils will fit a 3500, I will likely get some Carli coils or something similar with the weight of my camper (as well as my bumper/winch combo) thrown into the equation (that is, once I get re-employed).

 

[Bob4x4]

The power wagon coils are a Very light rate... ... ..... in the 3's

Don't under eastimate the role the shock plays in handling extra weight.

My truck handles like a sports car with the 3" kings... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

well almost. The premium shocks are the only way to go,they can be valved for your application and driving style. If either changes it is just a revalving away from perfection again. Lighter springs help in the articulation while the shocks will give you control.

 

[DonCurley]

Bob,



Yes, I am well aware of the role of shocks versus springs, and I am a big believer of trashing stock shocks in favor of installing high quality aftermarket shocks. I was really only addressing spring rate and load carrying capacity. I run Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks on my 3500 and those have worked well with my ability to dial up or down based on whether my camper is on board or off. However, I found that whether loaded or unloaded, I run the fronts at the maximum setting of 9 (mostly due to the CTD and my heavy front bumper/winch combination).



For my highly modified Jeep TJ, suspension articulation is king, but for a full-sized pickup with a camper on board, the Power Wagon was useless if not dangerous (even with air bags), so I ended up sacrificing some articulation for load carrying capability and stability by going with the 3500. We have subsequently been to some pretty rugged areas with this set up and so far I have been very impressed with it (especially with the supreme traction coming out of my Toyo Open County M/T tires even at full inflation).



Don

 

[MSicotte]

The only reason I went with the Hemi coils for my truck was for ride quality, and I didn't have the desire for a 3" lift. The KORE Hemi coils are supposed to lift a Hemi truck 3", with the CTD it raised it 1. 5", and as Bob said, soft ride and articulation, the Bilsteins keep things under control. I do have the problem Don has in the rear though, the 12 pack Deaver springs flex like crazy, but are no match for my Arctic Fox camper even with air bags. I am going back to a stock spring pack and Carli mini packs with removable overload extensions. I'll keep the air bags as well for load trimming.