Factory bumper

[Newsa]

With my G56 clutch pushed in, I have let my 2500 roll gently back into trees in parking lots. I can see the tree gently touch the rear bumper on my tailgate cam.

What I only recently realized is the factory chrome rear bumper on these trucks is just a thin piece of chrome electro-plated metal that is easily dinged. I have several dings now on my rear bumper. They don't make these rear bumpers like they used to back 30 years ago.

I would like to replace both bumpers, but it seems I need to remove the class 5 receiver hitch to do so.

I like the "Tough Country" bumpers, but need to find one that my hitch doesn't interfere with.

Suggestions?

 

[gsbrockman]

With my G56 clutch pushed in, I have let my 2500 roll gently back into trees in parking lots. I can see the tree gently touch the rear bumper on my tailgate cam.

Suggestions?

Use the parking brake????

 

[Newsa]

Use the parking brake????

Actually, I always thought it wouldn't hurt to lightly bump a tree. Just making sure I'm all the way in the spot and not sticking out.

I would have thought they would have put substantive bumpers on a heavy duty 4x4.

 

[sag2]

It's all about weight these days, and anywhere you can cut out weight helps with fuel economy and payload.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My Fusion rear bumper does not interfere with the factory trailer hitch.

 

[DJAustin]

Another source to consider for your bumper needs.


http://www.goboondock.com/

 

[kthaxton]

If you switch bumpers but still 'touch' trees, you'll likely start marking, scratching or otherwise marring the paint on the bumper. I'd just not back into trees anymore.

 

[Mingoglia]

With my G56 clutch pushed in, I have let my 2500 roll gently back into trees in parking lots. I can see the tree gently touch the rear bumper on my tailgate cam.

What I only recently realized is the factory chrome rear bumper on these trucks is just a thin piece of chrome electro-plated metal that is easily dinged. I have several dings now on my rear bumper. They don't make these rear bumpers like they used to back 30 years ago.

I would like to replace both bumpers, but it seems I need to remove the class 5 receiver hitch to do so.

I like the "Tough Country" bumpers, but need to find one that my hitch doesn't interfere with.

Suggestions?

x2 on the thinness of the bumpers. My '15 had 400, yess four hundred miles on it and a rock chip from the freeway actually dented the bumper. We're talking those little stones which make the fillable cracks in the windshield, actually put a dent in the bumper. Since it's a Longhorn, the bumper is painted so of course the paint chipped off as well.

 

[Newsa]

My bumpers are chrome, not paint. The chrome is unaffected as I expected. But I thought they would have more than a 1/16 inch sheet of metal. Live & Learn.
Lol

 

[Newsa]

I'm a check out those bumpers. Looks like the fusion comes without a finish on it though

 

[Regcabguy]

Actually, I always thought it wouldn't hurt to lightly bump a tree. Just making sure I'm all the way in the spot and not sticking out.

I would have thought they would have put substantive bumpers on a heavy duty 4x4.

My 1998 did the same thing. Nothing recent in weight/cost saving measures.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You can custom order a finish on the Fusion bumpers, or get it done the way you want. Scott Dalgleish has his painted body color, for example. As above, I sent for Rustoleum. My local Line-X wanted big bucks. It fits perfectly and two struts beind it just touch the factory trailer hitch cross tube, giving it extra support. With the factory hitch now giving excellent towing capacity, I didn't see any reason to replace the hitch.

 

[Newsa]

Ok, I'll give fusion a call when I get back from vacation. Their website said all bumpers were shipped as unfinished/uncoated steel.

Good info about the fit! Thanks Joe!