Aliarc Bullbars/Bumpers?

[MScheiper]

Anyone running Aliarc bull bars or bumpers on their trucks? Playing with the idea of protecting the front of my 04. 5 truck and wondering if anyone had any suggestions for front end protection. Definately don't want to lose my factory fog lights. I have emailed Aliarc and they seem very informative and helpful, just wondering if anyone had any experiences with their products..... thanks!

 

[MikeBeggy]

Ute bullbar. Really sturdy and same weight as stock.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I looked at the Aliarcs and even put some money down on one. They said they had some heavier duty models coming in and I could make my choice when they came in. I ended up with an aluminum Herd bull bar bumper. It was substantially heavier duty than the Aliarc. I do think the Aliarcs are nice looking. But I didn't think they would handle smacking the elk or moose that play dodge ball around here. A bull bison... . well thats another story.



I sold the shiny Herd to a friend so I could get a matte black powder coated Denver Off Road aluminum bumper to match my 04 truck. I was quite pleased with the DOR and got another one for my 97. Layne also sell Utes. But the DORs are substantially heavier duty than the Utes... 1/2" extruded channel on the main bumper. You can also get the DORs shiny but who wants to polish and clear coat bumpers -- Not me.



Give Layne a call at 970-858-4010. He is a great guy and loves to chat. He is a CTD owner and a small time self employeed business man. If you call him please mention I suggested giving him a call -- perhaps he would feel better about how good he was to me. :-laf



Bottomline for me was the DOR was worth the extra $$ over the Alicarc for the protection I needed. And I wanted aluminum because it is lighter than the steel options.

 

[BSkinner]

I looked at Aliarc bumpers. There are a few around my town and I saw one that had suffered a small deer strike on the bottom part of the bumper. This portion was bent and wavey. The metal was not very thick.



I looked into the UTE and DOR. I would have had to wait too long for the UTE's for the 2003 model. I came close to buying a DOR and stopped and visited Layne who is a master craftsman and a really nice guy. I went with a Buckstop due to time and cost considerations but DOR was a very, very close second choice and is a very well built and good looking bumper. Light years stronger than any Aliarc's that I've seen.



Bob

 

[MScheiper]

Thanks to all for the information. Sounds like I might look seriously at DOR in the near future. Thanks for the number traildog. Know what you mean about "road obstacles". My family has a ranch in SE Wyoming. We have to worry more about antelope and mule deer down here as well as the occasional "slow moving elk" :-laf

 

[bmoeller]

Only seen the AliArc bumpers on big trucks here. Yet to see one on a Ram.

 

[Davey]

Ali-arc's aren't much more protection than those bolt-on grill protectors. If you hit a deer they are pretty much done. Seen one bent up from a bump into a firm snowbank.

 

[BILLVO]

Hey ol trail dog Is there a web page for the DOR and for the herd bull bumper ? I would like to see what they look like.



Has anyone seen Duluth diesels aliarc pics it is a stout looking bumperalso.

 

[GiesJ]

BillVO - no website that I know of for DOR. I have one and love it. here - #ad




MScheiper - good to see another cowboy on the board. Where's your ranch at? Close friends have some land in SE WYO - SnowyRange. Also have family ranch outside Kaycee.

 

[MScheiper]

GiesJ, nice looking truck! do like the looks of those DOR's. Have a ranch outside of Lusk, Wyo. Been in the family since 1901. Thanks for the friendly howdy

 

[BILLVO]

What was the price tag on the DOR bumper?

 

[GiesJ]

GiesJ, nice looking truck! do like the looks of those DOR's. Have a ranch outside of Lusk, Wyo. Been in the family since 1901. Thanks for the friendly howdy

Thanks for the compliment! And glad to see another long term rancher. Wife's the 4th generation on her ranch in Kaycee.

What was the price tag on the DOR bumper?

I was lucky and picked mine up used. I think new they go for $1600+ but someone else here can better answer that. I do like it though. The only thing I see (and note that this bumper actually was on the EARTHROAMER truck so it's been around) is the powdercoating is getting a bit of a white film/oxidation. Not sure how to clean that up. Stout bumper.

 

[MMiller]

Dad bought one for the t600 for southern Iowa Deer. Very good unit, very stout, its a bumper/grill gaurd. He also bought a grill gaurd for the excursion, and his 95. Last winter he rear ended a dodge pickup on the ice, took out her tailgate, smashed it up good, and the excursion suffered no damage. Dad is certain that if there was no gaurd he would be buying radiator, aftercooler, grill, hood, etc.



My brother bought the grill gaurd/bumper combo for his 94, nice looking unit.



I also have a reunel front gaurd on my truck, 'cept its steel, and heavy. They use solid shaft for headlight loops. They don't bend when you grab ahold of them. Course neither do the loops on the Aliarc gaurds.



Just my . 02, seems differnt then others though.



Michael

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Not sure how to clean that up.

You can take a powder coated bumper to the powder coaters and have them reheat it and the powder will reflow. I was at Laynes when he asked the powder coaters if this could be done. This works especially good if you have the matte coat.



The DORs will probably be around $1850.



If I'm not mistaken the Ute guards are bolted on versus welded on like the DORs.

 

[GiesJ]

You can take a powder coated bumper to the powder coaters and have them reheat it and the powder will reflow.

Thanks OTD!

Man, three wyo guys in one thread that isn't a member's rigs spotted

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

three wyo guys in one thread

Might have something to do with the potential to encounter the hordes of pronghorns, deer, elk, moose, bison, touri, and the occasional jackalope.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

So far I have been very happy with my AliArc. I ran into some trouble down in Louisiana during Katrina relief work and ended up having my factory bumper and westin sportsman brush guard toasted. I had my local rep (also friend) tell AliArc to build one stronger and better than the usual. I have before and after pictures in my Reader's Rigs gallery.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

To me thats the sad part. Aliarc builds beefy tractor trailer bumbers. I see a lot of them on the big rigs. But they just don't put that effort into their light pickup bumpers. As I said before they are nice looking, but not stout enough.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Yeah, it may or may not hold up like a steel one, but it is lighter and more affordable. I looked at Buckstops, but the prices were higher and I had read things about the powdercoat coming off and rust issues. Stainless steel would be nice, but all I know is that this AliArc will hold up better than that Westin and stock bumper. If I smoke a deer with it I'll certainly post a damage report.

 

[JPope]

Traildog - What animal is a Touri ?

"... touri... "



Would that be the vehicles who stop and ogle all of the other wildlife and can't get oof of the road, or stop on a blind curve, or other area obstructing traffic both ways? Or pedestrians who get out into the road blocking traffic, while they ogle the wildlife?



Similar to the idiots who inhabit the less scenic areas of the US, but create traffic nightmares? :{