Front Bumper - Moving to long legged road rat territory...

[Joe Mc]

Before I get started realize I'm not wanting to start a "Mine is better than..." thing here. Just searching for information.

As title mentions I'm soon to be moving to Pocono Mountain area where the deer are a problem. I want to get a front bumper that'll help protect my front end from potential encounters.

Looking for suggestions, based on experiences, on what might best fit for me. I'm not looking to spend tons of $$$ and "hoping" to acquire a unit that will look decent, last without rusting out (powder coated?) and work for the intended purpose. Hopeful y'all can help me locate something in, or around, the $1k +/- region.

If possible please include link or website. Searing the inter-web drives me nuts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Timd32]

Can't help on the bumper deal. I've collected a few (4) over the years.

Deer are a problem up here?????

I'm on the NJ side around exit 3 off Rt 80.

This was after Christmas this year.

 

[Tuesdak]

Best not to hit them. My advice on the bumper is make sure the edges don't hit the front tire tread when the front frame crumples up. Towing a 28' cargo trailer loaded and took out two Elk on the 260 here in AZ. Yeah, Yeah Elk > Deer.

Bumper is hitting the front tire. Yeah that's Elk poo.

Engine oil cooler exploded.

The diesel engine oil never came off that cargo trailer.

Rubbed the guard rail after running the Elk over.

Rebuilt the truck including replacing the frame.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I don’t know how handy you are or if you can weld, but www.movebumpers.com has do it yourself kits that range from $400-700. Then you can have it sprayed with bedliner for a few hundred dollars. Or, there are a lot of other companies out there that offer already built and sprayed bumpers, but they are going to cost a lot more than $1000.

 

[Joe Mc]

Timd32, "awe but they're so cute..." not. I'll be in Lords Valley, Hemlock Farms.
Tuesdak, yea best option is to not hit one for sure. Being one of the most (not) intelligent animals sometimes no matter how hard you try to avoid them they seem to figure a way to outsmart us... Man the pictured result from the Elk encounter was devastating.
TRAMPLINEMAN, thought about do it myself deal, and although I can stick two metal pieces together, was hoping for something I could bolt on quickly before moving. Looks like I'll have to fork out some of the Duster funds to hopefully save the hot rod/tow vehicle.
Thanks guys.

 

[DavidC]

From Levittown to the pocono's. Gotta be a better environment.

 

[DHayden]

I have a Buckstop on my 2001 which has been on over 15 years. It was painted same as the truck and has held up beautifully over all these years. They are more spendy though.
I went with a Road Armor this time for the 2015. I really like the big beefy Road Armor bumpers but toned it down a bit for this truck. Here is the thread after I bought and installed it: New Road Armor front bumper install and impressions | Turbo Diesel Register
It looks the same today (about a year and 1/2) as it did when I bought it. This one was in the high $800 range as I recall, the Buckstop was around $1400ish.

 

[JR]

They aren't the most asthetic but Ranch Hands are hard to beat, literally. I folded two bucks and a yearling like they were lawn chairs, bumper or truck no worse for the wear.

The down side to a bumper that is stronger than the frame is, the frame will fold first if you hit something hard enough. That didn't happen with my deer but it's something to keep in mind. The only negative I can really say about the Ranch Hand is their coatings really sucked 10 years ago. I'm in the rust belt, by the 3rd winter you'd better be up on the tetanus shots before going near it. I had it sand blasted and painted it with Monstaliner bed liner. It held up well after that and looked great the day I sold it.

Keep in mind this was many years ago. Ranch Hand could well have gotten their coatings under control by now for all I know.

 

[Joe Mc]

From Levittown to the pocono's. Gotta be a better environment.

For sure David. Sad thing is I love the neighborhood where I live, if I could pick it up and move it to a quiet area, or get the local law enforcement to take one of the old cruisers, with the parking lights on and a patrolman's hat on the headrest, and place it on the road behind my house to slow things down I would. Really sad thing is it would be easier to move the neighborhood...

 

[Joe Mc]

JR looked on bumper store and found this:
https://bumpersuperstore.com/i-1145...500-hd-3500-hd-4500-hd-5500-hd-1994-2002.html
It looks very similar to the one in your picture. I like it just not crazy about the diamond plate but the price is close to right.

Going to pull the trigger just waiting for email reply on email I sent asking about Veterans Discount. Happened to mention TDR Member since 5/01 and how the folks here spoke highly of their products. We'll see what happens...

Thanks man.

 

[JR]

I'm not familiar with fab fours build or quality. They do look decent but again I've not seen one in the flesh. Last I looked a Ranch Hand could be had for around the same as you listed.

 

[Joe Mc]

All good JR. This was closest I could find "in-stock" and price that was ready to ship, expected delivery 2-4 days. I'm going to linex it and bolt it up, moving within the next 30+/- days and don't want to chance the 10k I recently (3 years or so ago) put into paint and metal work as well as all the damage that goes along with an "encounter of the 4 legged kind"...

 

[JR]

Joe I think we talked before but my wife's family is in Levittown. She was there about a Year ago and commented on how "busy" it's become. Of course that's just a country girls opinion
Good luck with your move.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I'm not familiar with fab fours build or quality.

I had a Fab Four New Premium Winch bumper on one of my old work trucks. It was the older version, but very similar to the new one. The build quality, finish and fitment were all very good.

 

[Joe Mc]

Joe I think we talked before but my wife's family is in Levittown. She was there about a Year ago and commented on how "busy" it's become. Of course that's just a country girls opinion
Good luck with your move.

JR, yes I do recall several past occasions that we've interacted. Your wife, country girl or not, is spot on with her assessment of good ol' L-town. Main reason I'm getting out before "not so good" Bristol Twp approves another Super Wawa (SW) to be built, most recently approved another (that'll make 6) to be built less than 100yds from my house... I sort of get it from the Twps position = more revenue $, "but" what I can't take is they're getting increasingly more and more revenue $ from all (presently 5) the SWs yet residents aren't receiving tax rebates/breaks, in fact what we're receiving is the typical annual tax increases and reduced services to the public. Sorry but it isn't fair and borderline criminal. Rant complete = just signed seller's documentation on my long time (since 4/93) home. Fokker out!!!

 

[DavidC]

That was at least one of the things that kept me from that place after growing up in Croydon. The second was weather but Az. is catching up

 

[Joe Mc]

DavidC, No "S" Croydon. Homie you are and I didn't even know.

 

[DavidC]

Yep, spent my high school years at Roosevelt, Delhaas and Woodrow Wilson. Don't know if any of them exist anymore.

 

[Joe Mc]

Delhaas is a Fitness Center, Social Security Office and other type offices/retail. There is a Buck Community College Campus new building (8-10 years back) put in closest entrance by 95/413. Oh how things have changed. Not sure about Roosevelt or WW schools. Looks like I hi-jacked my own thread - hey it's mine that's OK - LOL L8TR DavidC

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for the update Joe. Roosevelt was across the street from Delhaas, Roosevelt was grades 7,8 and 9. Delhaas was 10 and Wilson was 11 and 12. I can still envision all 40 some years later along with I-95 entrance, what a rush.