Winch Bumper

[Boaring1961]

I'm going to be putting a winch and new bumper on my truck soon. Most of the models by most manufactures don't appeal to me. The only few I like are the AEV Premium front bumper, Buckstop Classic 2 or Baja, and the ARB Modular Bumper.

Currently I'm leaning toward the AEV bumper and was curious if anyone on TDR has one on their 4th gen truck. If you do I'd like to get your feedback on the bumper and the install.

Thanks

 

[BarryG]

I have the arb modular on my 17. It has been on about a year or so. So far so good. It came shipped in incredible packaging. Being modular it comes on a pallet in more boxes than you would expect pallet, was wrapped very well. Each box and parts in it were wrapped very well. I was quite impressed with it. As far as install being modular it was relatively easy. I did it by myself with no problem. If you go on arb,s website you can find the install directions. It did take me several hours but it was pretty easy to do

 

[R.Taylor]

The AEV looks nice but seems gimmicky... And there are plastic pieces on it. I saw a RAM 2500 with the AEV Prospect XL kit on it, Looked cool but a bit much on the plastic side. Here's a picture I took of it.

The AEV bumper can only handle up to a 10k winch. The FabFours can handle up to 16.5, I ran a Warn 16.5ti on my old rig.. Came in handy quite a few times. The AEV fog lights are a little on the big side, They almost overpower the headlights in the looks department.


FabFours makes some nice bumpers and they have a few styles with various options available... I just ordered the premium rear bumper for my new 2019 3500. Had them on my 2006, premium front and rear with the full guard / deer catcher. Had 2 different cars hit me in the front... Both were totaled and I only had some chips in the powder coat.

 

[gsbrockman]

The AEV looks nice.....but I am curious how soon it will cause a CAC code due to a reduction in airflow to the CAC.

 

[Ozymandias]

The AEV looks factory, very nice and fits the look of the vehicle.
Others are often a pain to watch on, disfigure the vehicles face.

AEV installs a Warn 16.5ti into their bumper, someone should tell them about the 10k rating.
https://www.aev-conversions.com/pro...t-bumper/#what-type-of-winch-will-you-install
Also there are four different Fog light options include OEM fogs to reuse.

 

[R.Taylor]

I'm sure whatever the OP chooses will be a 100% increase in the protection department... These stock bumpers are thin and offer no real purpose other than to be cosmetic.

 

[Boaring1961]

The AEV looks factory, very nice and fits the look of the vehicle.
Others are often a pain to watch on, disfigure the vehicles face.

AEV installs a Warn 16.5ti into their bumper, someone should tell them about the 10k rating.
https://www.aev-conversions.com/pro...t-bumper/#what-type-of-winch-will-you-install
Also there are four different Fog light options include OEM fogs to reuse.

I agree with you Ozy that many of the new bumpers disfigure the face of the truck and make them look like their bottom lip is sticking out! The AEV doesn't do this IMO.

Ozy can you elaborate on the 16.5 and the 10k lbs rating? I was leaning toward the M15 or M15 anyway.

 

[BarryG]

The previous posters brought up some issues so I am going to add some more info that I didn't think of last night about the ARB.

First the CAC protection and airflow. It is pretty open due to some wire mesh, now if putting a winch in there it will obviously block some flow but I do have my air horns and couple other smaller things in that space and have noticed no increase in coolant temps or AIT temps since putting it in. Even driving in 100+ degree ambient temps pulling a fiver no issues at all. For lack of a better term, the lower valance does seem to protect the cac as good or perhaps better than stock.
There is not one piece of plastic on it. It does not or at least in my opinion does not interfere with the headlight beams and night time driving and light output. While you cant reuse the oem fogs it comes with its own fogs (the exception to no plastic as they are, and they do use the oem fog harness with an adapter so no need to rewire the fogs) and they are adjustable at least to a degree but I have no issue wanting any more adjustment with them. The only drawback I have with it and may be a non issue for the OP is that it does not have provisions for the front park sense. I just pulled the sensors off the harness, tied the harness up behind the bumper and turned off the front park sense, no codes or anything at all. I do however feel that as soon as I am willing to try and drill some holes in that thing I don't see why they wouldn't work. I just have not gotten around to go and get a good step bit for the holes as they are along the lines of 1"+ or so iirc but do plan on doing it at some point as I would like that feature back.

The shipping weight was over 400lbs but in the end sans the packaging and pallet it is probably around 200lbs but it is in pieces so putting it on is a one person job

 

[Ozymandias]

@Boaring1961 Klick the link in my previous post, it guids you directly to the AEV homepage and to the bumper were all the information is provided.
That Bumper is highly customizable from the buyer, i recommend get the front underbody protection, it's an addon that safes your radiator and steering gear including several hoses that run there.

Ozy

 

[Boaring1961]

@Boaring1961 Klick the link in my previous post, it guids you directly to the AEV homepage and to the bumper were all the information is provided.
That Bumper is highly customizable from the buyer, i recommend get the front underbody protection, it's an addon that safes your radiator and steering gear including several hoses that run there.

Ozy

Ozy,

AEV website says this about the underbody skid plate. I assume this is what you are referring. It won't work with my 2018.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/ram-front-bumper-skid-plate/

Please Note: The AEV Ram Front Bumper Skid Plate is only compatible with 2010-12 Ram 2500/3500 trucks with an AEV Premium Front Bumper installed. This product is not compatible with the OE front bumper or 2014+ Ram 2500/3500 trucks.

 

[Boaring1961]

The previous posters brought up some issues so I am going to add some more info that I didn't think of last night about the ARB.

First the CAC protection and airflow. It is pretty open due to some wire mesh, now if putting a winch in there it will obviously block some flow but I do have my air horns and couple other smaller things in that space and have noticed no increase in coolant temps or AIT temps since putting it in. Even driving in 100+ degree ambient temps pulling a fiver no issues at all. For lack of a better term, the lower valance does seem to protect the cac as good or perhaps better than stock.
There is not one piece of plastic on it. It does not or at least in my opinion does not interfere with the headlight beams and night time driving and light output. While you cant reuse the oem fogs it comes with its own fogs (the exception to no plastic as they are, and they do use the oem fog harness with an adapter so no need to rewire the fogs) and they are adjustable at least to a degree but I have no issue wanting any more adjustment with them. The only drawback I have with it and may be a non issue for the OP is that it does not have provisions for the front park sense. I just pulled the sensors off the harness, tied the harness up behind the bumper and turned off the front park sense, no codes or anything at all. I do however feel that as soon as I am willing to try and drill some holes in that thing I don't see why they wouldn't work. I just have not gotten around to go and get a good step bit for the holes as they are along the lines of 1"+ or so iirc but do plan on doing it at some point as I would like that feature back.

The shipping weight was over 400lbs but in the end sans the packaging and pallet it is probably around 200lbs but it is in pieces so putting it on is a one person job

Barry,

I'm sure if you drilled the holes for the sensors, ParkSense would work just fine. I think the tricky part is getting them set and pointed in the correct orientation.

 

[Ozymandias]

@gsbrockman
AEV thinks on everything.

Heavy duty Ram trucks are designed to work hard and are very capable tow vehicles. Proper cooling is essential for any hard working engine, especially in hot environments and higher elevations. Due to the lower intercooler position on the 2013-18 Ram 2500/3500, a new intercooler shroud is supplied to ensure that there is no loss in cooling efficiency after the AEV Front Bumper is installed.

 

[Ozymandias]

Ozy,

AEV website says this about the underbody skid plate. I assume this is what you are referring. It won't work with my 2018.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/ram-front-bumper-skid-plate/

Please Note: The AEV Ram Front Bumper Skid Plate is only compatible with 2010-12 Ram 2500/3500 trucks with an AEV Premium Front Bumper installed. This product is not compatible with the OE front bumper or 2014+ Ram 2500/3500 trucks.

Aw, thats sad, I think, myself, would give them a call about it why it doesnt fit the newer vehicles, dunno.

 

[nukegm]

https://mercenaryoffroad.com/components/bumpers/dodge-bumpers/dodge-2015-2016-front-bumper.html

best looking bumper i have seen, in my o.
cheers comrades!

 

[garyp285]

AEV is on my wish list, my dealer said it took them 6 hours to install one.

 

[Regcabguy]

The AEV looks nice but seems gimmicky... And there are plastic pieces on it. I saw a RAM 2500 with the AEV Prospect XL kit on it, Looked cool but a bit much on the plastic side. Here's a picture I took of it.

View attachment 116685
View attachment 116686

The AEV bumper can only handle up to a 10k winch. The FabFours can handle up to 16.5, I ran a Warn 16.5ti on my old rig.. Came in handy quite a few times. The AEV fog lights are a little on the big side, They almost overpower the headlights in the looks department.


FabFours makes some nice bumpers and they have a few styles with various options available... I just ordered the premium rear bumper for my new 2019 3500. Had them on my 2006, premium front and rear with the full guard / deer catcher. Had 2 different cars hit me in the front... Both were totaled and I only had some chips in the powder coat.

View attachment 116687 View attachment 116688

That's a fine rear bumper. The front one is a bit too much fat lipped for me.