Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Deer vs Dodge

[JDriscoll]

I hit a deer coming home from a weekend of elk hunting last night doing about 65 and the front bumper is toast. This is the second time in less than two years. I want to go with an aftermarket bumber that will hopefully hold up to a deer impact. This time I got lucky and it didn't damage anything else, the first time it took about the grill, driverside headlight, condensor, and the bumber. I'm not really sure where to look. I want a bumber that will hold up, I don't want to spend the $$ for an aftermarket bumber and have it fold up like the stock bumber did. I don't need a winch, some hole for additional lights would be nice. If at all possible, I'd like to keep the cost of the bumper around $1000. Anybody have any suggestions? The truck is an 02 2500.



Thanks,

John

 

[EricBu12]

Get the Buck stop Bumper

 

[DHayden]

I have a buckstop, havent tested it but I think it would hold up well.

 

[LBARTLETT]

your signature doesn't say where you're from, you can buy a sourthwest fabricators (Junction Tx) or Ranchand both for under $1,000, check their website for dealers, my experience through owning sever 2nd gen. 4X4 trucks is the extra weight emphasizes the steering issues but that's just my opinion, I went to a Ranchand grill guard which will protect the bumper and is about 40% of the weight of the full replacement bumper

 

[DWeiler]

This is what i did to prevent me from taking out my front end traveling to my vacation property every weekend out of town----Road Armor,big $$$,very well built---CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS THOUGH. Lots of deer/moose/elk where i go,plus when i travel to the far northern parts of Alberta/BC to my dads farm there is plenty of road kill everywhere,just a matter of time before i hit one(3 close calls so far). This may not be for everyone but i have had more positive comments than negative---each his own i guess. Sure does get the people to move over or out of the way when i pull up to their rear,lots of rear view mirror adjustments. :-laf:-laf:-laf . Hope this helps. Ps There even room for a Warn 16. 5 TI winch in case i put her in the ditch.

 

[Regcabguy]

You might contact Winch Ready bumpers.

 

[AABEN]

Ranchand they make 3 top of the line bumpers. check them out. I like mine. two is ready for winch.

 

[Harlacher]

I did the same as Dweiler. Went with RoadArmor. The same model he has on his. Big $$$. I agree, customer service really sucks. Took me about 2 months to get the bumper. It "will" hold up to a deer, moose, or any other big crittter you hit. The bumper is very well made and gets a second look from everyone. Has holes for lights and an opening for a winch. After all the trouble with customer service, the high cost, and lenght of time to get, I still have to say, because of how sturdy and well made it is, it is worth it. I bought mine for a trip to Alaska and didn't want any "mooses" in the cab with me.



Paul

 

[DPrew]

I have a Brown Manufacturing and Fabrication bumper that was about $740 straight from the manufacturer in New Bruanfels Texas.

 

[DWeiler]

I did the same as Dweiler. Went with RoadArmor. The same model he has on his. Big $$$. I agree, customer service really sucks. Took me about 2 months to get the bumper. It "will" hold up to a deer, moose, or any other big crittter you hit. The bumper is very well made and gets a second look from everyone. Has holes for lights and an opening for a winch. After all the trouble with customer service, the high cost, and lenght of time to get, I still have to say, because of how sturdy and well made it is, it is worth it. I bought mine for a trip to Alaska and didn't want any "mooses" in the cab with me.

Paul

Must be the "Order of Business" with them,ordered mine in Jan06---bumpers arrived in April 06---TO BAD THEY SENT ME "FORD" ONES/FRONT AND REAR#@$%!. Reordered the proper ones and they arrived in June 06 with "CHEVY" MOUNTING BRACKETS#@$%!. The right brackets arrived a week later,test fitted,sent them off to LINE-X to be coated and bingo--- mounted both that day with the winch-----6+ months to complete.

 

[PatrickHenry]

I have a ranchhand "or something like it" full replacement on my 2001. I have hit two whitetail deer at 65 mph and never hit the brakes!!! Not a single bit of damage except for some guts or something on the side of the truck!!!

 

[JayStraight]

X2 for the Buckstop!!



BUCKSTOP Truckware - Heavy-Duty Winch Bumpers for Ford, Dodge, Chevy Trucks and SUVs

 

[WILLD420]

OMG! Holy $$$$... Don't know where you are at, but for the price of the Buckstop, you can have a good shop fab a custom one up that's made to your liking.

I have a Ranchhand? on my 02. It's big, heavy and not all that pretty, but I keep it just for the reason you are posting up here.

A few close calls have convinced me that MPG I lose and the weight are worth not spending $1,500 on a radiator, hood, grill etc.

 

[rkressg]

I personally have the Buckstop Baja on the front and their rear bumper, both in Black. I have hit more deer than I can count in Western PA. The stock bumper only lasted for 2 deer, but with the Buckstop, I don't even bother to stop and look do see if there is any damage.

They are heavy, the front bumper was #350+.

 

[Kilo]

I have a Ranch hand and love it. I haven't hit any deer but I have been out on some trails and pushed over a few trees. Also used it to pull a few Jeeps out of the mud.

 

[JDriscoll]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm in Helena, MT. I really like the looks of the buckstop, I think my next step i going to be talking to a couple welding shops around here and see what they can do. I got luck this time, it looks like the only damage is to the bumper, but last year was a different story. If I would have gone this route after the first deer, I would probably be money ahead, live and learn I guess.



Thanks,

John

 

[Andersonville]

You want to get an ALI ARC aluminum bumper. About $1100 but only about 100lbs. My Ranchhand legend weighs 250lbs!

 

[Arctic Taco]

Ditto: the ranch hand is way heavy

My ranch hand is way heavy, but knock on wood it should hold up judging by the construction, those uprights are solid. My dad built his own down there in Montana, went with atleast 1/4" wall tubing, and elbow braced it though the core support to the frame- on a late 80s' dodge gasser, I've hit a couple white tail and shown nothing but deer hair as a result, go strong. Intercoolers are expensive.



Good luck

 

[JDriscoll]

Strong is what I'm after, next time I see a deer in the road, I don't want to worry about hitting the brakes, just turning on the wipers. jk

 

[LSchulz]

That's what a snow plow is for - then you can also choose which side of the road you send it to.

In all seriousness, does anyone know if any of these bumpers fit with snowplows? Specifically the Fisher Minutemount setup?