A site for Real Bumpers!

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While in Texas recently, I saw tons of trucks with big beefy brush guards and full replacement front and rear bumpers. I found the site that sells them. Very cool stuff!
www.ranchhand.com

 

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I had the whole RanchHand package on my truck for awhile, just like the picture of the Chevy dually. I have since removed everything but the front and rear bumpers. The running board supports were welded to the frame and kept coming loose, so I sold them. The headache rack cracked in a strategic location, due to a design flaw (in my opinion). RanchHand wouldn't do anything about it because the warranty is only for one year. I removed it and stuck it on a friends Ford before he traded it in on a Dodge. The toolbox is just big and bulky. Made completely from diamond plate steel, not aluminum. Isold it to a friend and bought a DeeZee aluminum box. The bumpers I like and will leave them on.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, Ranchhand bumpers, DeeZee toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, VA, 275's, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake

 

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Jeff C. ,
Interesting. All I wanted was the bumpers. How have they held up?

 

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WARNING: Opinion coming!
I had a Ranchhand brushguard - they look beefy, but the brackets that mount to the frame are not, IMO, very strong, because they do not sit in front of the main rail members. You can see the top of the brushguard vibrating as you drive down the road. I recommend anyone considering brushguards buy only a brand that you have seen installed, and have crawled under and looked at how it is connected to your frame. Also, the Ranchhand upright members block about 10% of your headlight beam.
Some brands are truly just brushguards, others look tough but have questionable mountings, and still others are closer to a true "cow catcher". Inspect before you buy!

 

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I have seen Jeff's bumpers and they look great. I added the same front bumper to my 96 (non winch mount) and had the paint fade badly. Ranch Hand will do nothing to help me out since it is out of the one year warranty.

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2000 3500QC 4x4, 6-speed, 3. 54, Patriot Blue, SLT+, Rancho 9K's, Mag-Hytec, Hot PE, 275's, 4" exhuast.

 

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I'm with HC on this one. I likethe waythe Ranch Hand is built. It is a very well-built brush guard. The mounting leaves much to be desired. If you've seen the pictures of my red truck on my website(see below) you'll see the four pretty good sized bolts that mount it. That's four pretty good sized holes to drill in your front bumper. I have a good picture of the front of my truck that shows how much of the headlights are blocked.

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Curtis Harris

FOR SALE
"Big Red" See Truck for Sale

MY NEW TOY
1997 Club Cab Dualie
correctly valved 5 speed. White, Brown Manf. brushguard,Sprayed in liner, Stock plate and AFC properly adjusted. That all for now. More to come.

 

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Try Kennesaw Mountain Accessories in Ga.
They sell a really tough Wincher bumper with guards on them, price is good too.
Just put one on Isuzu Trooper II, they sell one for BIG DODGE too.

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96 CC 4X4 2500 SLT AUTO transmission, PrimeLoc, GUTTED CAT, Lots of Ham Radio gear, NO IGNITION NOISE!!! Love my diesel!!!

 

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Traded, I like the bumpers. Their painting leaves a lot to be desired. After all, they are ade for ranch trucks and people who aren't so picky. I had my front bumper sandblasted and powder coated. Cost about 300 bucks. The mounts are fine to me. I have run into a few things (including a car) and haven't bent anything. what concerns me is they thickness of the frame at the mounting point. Thin frame holding up a couple hundred pounds.

 

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Check this site out. http://www.dodgeram.com/Ram/bumper/kingklaw.htm

 

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Same thing as a RanchHand. I think there is only one manufacterer and several distributors under several different names.

 

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How much do they cost? This isn't a company that advertises on the TDR, so we wouldn't be breaking any rules posting a price, would we? Rough guess, or exact figure from recent purchase, either would be welcome.
I like the look of the TJM Bull Bars, too, but haven't seen any that were made for Dodge Rams...
There's a DEFINITE shortage of non-wimpy bumpers & "deer-strainers" on the market for our trucks ! I only want a bumper/brushguard if it's as scary and mean looking as the Ranch Hand, but don't want rust or a poor mount !

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2001 Cummins Dodge Ram 3500 Sport(black) 4x4 QC 5 spd. , has a bad habit of outrunning Ford Mustangs and PowerChokes while towing a 97 Skeeter ss140 17' bass boat. (water's the only place left I won't get a speeding ticket) NRA Life Member since 1989. More family values, less government and taxes.

 

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The one on my new truck is a Brown's welding and manuf. out of New Braunsfeld, TX. It has a real clean looking mouting system. I just ordered my replacement rear wraparound bumper from them.
Looks real similar to Ranch Hand. When I get the pictures developed I'll post them on my new truck site.

 

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Briar, I paid $750 for mine 3 years ago from RanchHand's outlet here in Dallas. It is the large one with the winch mount and I had seen it priced as much as $1000. The regular bumper/brushgaurd without the winch mount was $650. I don't know what prices are these days.

 

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You want pricy- but the ultimate winch bumper- try www.prozap.com , another one that is heavier and cruder is the RUENEL bumper. It is on one of the "fritzes" ?? websites about an installation.

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P. Campbell 1998. 5 ISB 2500 auto green/driftwood

 

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Thanks Jeff... man, is that HIGH ! Naw, Peter C, didn't want pricy, just want MEAN looks, bad enough that women & little kids won't cross the street in front of it, and the deer I hit with it will come back in a second life and warn the others about it... but at that price, I'm gonna wait till my truck gets a little older, maybe weld my own or get my cousin to do it.

 

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I got a couple of pictures of my brush guard and how it mounts. Check em out on my webpage