HD Front Bumper - Photyos Advice or TDR Article Please....

[hammersley]

Several questions:

1. It's real easy to spend a lot of $$$$ for a front bumper - but I did see an outfit, from soemplace in the South East, where I can't for the life of me find the Web Page, that made a really neat looking front bumper, for setting up a winch for in the $500 range. Does this ring a bell with anybody?



2. What do you have to do to the front springs if you plan on putting say 200-250 additional pounds up front? Anything needed? At least get heavier shocks or do you need larger springs? Is so what are you talking about $$$ for springs and who has them? Does the Snow plow package have larger springs? Has the TDR magazine done an article on setting up a winsh with new rigs?



3. And finally - when you remove the front bumper to put on a heavier one, whet do you have to do to fender liner - any photos of where you attach it.

 

[Mactruck]

here ya go

Kennesaw Mountain Accessories ( http://www.kenmtn.com/ ) I believe is the company you were thinking of. I checked them out and they had really low prices.

I decided to go with a Denver offroad ( http://www.denveroffroad.com/ ) Bumper because it was aluminum to save on weight. I should be getting mine in any day.



When I got my truck I made sure I had the plow package just for the simple reason that the weight of the diesel would wear out any spring a bit too soon. Especially with the addition of a winch bumper. Some leveling kits from Rancho and Skyjacker can probably help you out with the additional weight but I've heard some people say it doesn't affect their front end very much at all. It actually helps ride a little softer.



As to your third question, I'll find out soon enough.



Added on edit:

Fritz'es web site has all the specs on what load rating your springs are. Your springs have a number tag attached. I have 39 on passenger and 46 driver. Some lucky duallies get 46 &47 respectively.

heres the link : http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/specs/springs.htm

 

[EScott]

I have the ranch hand bumper (www.ranchhand.com) on my truck and yes it resulted in a slight amount of sag . Expected with a 200+ pound bumper compared to the factory one . Not enough to worry about at any rate.



If you are concerned just stand on your front bumper and measure the deflection, it will probably be no more than a fraction of an inch.



I got lucky on my fender liners with my ranch hand they more or less are held in by nothing more than a friction fit. Been fine for the 12 or so months I've had the bumper on.



My picture page has some photos of my bumper...

http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/groganeer/lst?.dir=/My+Photo+Album&.view=t

 

[pnwradar]

I also went with the Denver offroad bumper, primarily because of weight issues with the Reunel (steel) bumper. It's also quite attractive, IMO, and rather stout. It isn't within your $500 price range, though -- try tripling that number.



I put pictures of the mounting brackets, and the mounted bumpers here.



One of the pictures shows the plastic fender guard hanging below the new bumper. I trimmed about 8" off the lower front edge with a small jigsaw a few days later (at speed it was folding into the tires and rubbing).



I don't have the plow package, but I did luck out and end up with the stiffer springs, somehow. I didn't measure heights before and after, but the Denver bumper is just over 100 lbs, and I don't think the front end sagged at all. Might be different with a 12000# winch.



-jon-

 

[gitchesum]

I've got the heavy ones on both ends of my truck. I got plenty of pictures in my signature. I opted for a two inch receiver hitch on the front as opposed to the winch mount. That way I can mount the winch on a hitch tube and put on either the front or the back depending on your situation. Besides, it make spotting trailer a breeze. My front one cost around $700. I didn't notice much of a sag when it was installed and the ride hasn't changed at all. At least my wife still says it rides too rough.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

#ad








The Road Armor bumper looks neat. They are expensive though.



http://www.roadarmor.com/trucks_suv's.htm

 

[SA Law]

bumpers

I have a friend who makes front and rear end replacements for a living, and he is giving me both for $650..... i have seen his work and I think its just as good as ranchhand w/o spending all the money... If u are interested send me an email with ur # and Ill give u a call