Heavy duty aftermarket front bumpers

[Blakers]

I got nailed by a hit and run drunk last week who took out a front tire and rim, and dented my front bumper. So now I’m thinking it’s the perfect time to get a heavy duty deer bumper. I drive 68 miles to work through heavy deer country and can see over 100 at night.
I’m looking for suggestions for my 03.
Thanks
Blake

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

What part of the country do you live in?
How much are you willing to spend?

 

[BarryG]

I had a Denver off road on my 01 and it took two deer hits over the years and was unscathed by either one of them was at 65 mph and was a dead center hit. Not sure If Layne is still making them or not but last I knew his website was still up. And the bumper is still on the truck after 17 Yearswith no rust as he makes them out of heavy aluminum
On my 17 after a deer hit and $6500 worth of damage I put on an ARB. It is heavier than the DOR but not by a whole lot maybe 50lbs. It came shipped like they knew what they were doing. Very nicely packed and wrapped. It comes in multiple pieces at least for my 17. It seems to be a nice stout bumper. Hasn’t had a deer hit yet and hopeful it wont but I travel same type of area you mentioned frequently with deer a real problem.

 

[Blakers]

Sorry, I forgot my signature no longer works. I'm in NW Pennsylvania. Price wise, probably up to $1500. Somewhere in that neighborhood anyway.

 

[cerberusiam]

Another option. That took a head on hit from a small car at 25+ mph. Truck drove away, car was totaled. Dinged a fender and bent the front frame rails slightly because it was slightly sideways hit but it saved everything back to the fan which would have been trashed. A deer it would have been launched into the ditch.

http://www.hdtruckware.com/dodge-c-...25003500-c-3_22_142/outlaw-premium-p-181.html

 

[DHayden]

Road Armor or Buckstop

 

[Regcabguy]

I'd still want a bumper with some give in order to save the frame integrity.
A lot of these iron wonders would be better off mounted on the front of a train.

 

[cerberusiam]

Road Armor or Buckstop

Overpriced and paying for the name.

The only way to save frame integrity IS make them heavy. If the hit is square itr won't cause problems, the sideways off center collisions are going to tweak things a bit if it is a vehicle. Choice of $700 to straighten the frame horns in front of the motor mounts, or, $7000 to replace everything from the fan forward and likely some frame work also. Animals are no issue, vehicle head on collisions are a lot more intense.

 

[Ozymandias]

ARB, the only one to my knowledge that is tested and approved to work with the vehicles safety systems.

 

[Mark31]

I saw a Dakota Hills last year and drooled all over it. Anybody know anything about them, etc?

 

[Regcabguy]

Overpriced and paying for the name.

The only way to save frame integrity IS make them heavy. If the hit is square itr won't cause problems, the sideways off center collisions are going to tweak things a bit if it is a vehicle. Choice of $700 to straighten the frame horns in front of the motor mounts, or, $7000 to replace everything from the fan forward and likely some frame work also. Animals are no issue, vehicle head on collisions are a lot more intense.

I feel the damage would involve more than the frame horns. True the mass of our trucks will win most times unless we run into/or hit by a similar vehicle. The damage to the individual can be devastating. I was rear ended by a guy hard. I was driving a zero- crumple zone external frame 2000 Trooper. It had 6K miles on it. The impact nearly tore the front seat off the floor and the damage came to nearly 18K including rental. 20 years later I suffer from whiplash to this day.
I fail to see how a rigid 350# bumper up front is going to supply any cushion to the driver and occupants.
I'll take a bit of cushion anytime.

 

[cerberusiam]

The mass of the vehicle provides the cushion, air bags provide the protection. Any crumple zone sin these trucks are still there even if the bumper is changed, that doesn't change. The bumpers just stop the damage from the incidental contacts.

 

[DHayden]

Overpriced and paying for the name.

Kind of a broad misleading statement. They can be depending on what you get. My last Road Armor was $1250 bucks, I wouldnt say thats over priced for a heavy duty front bumper with grill guard. Anyway, just a suggestion for the OP. Opinions vary.

 

[cerberusiam]

Good luck finding a road Armor with a full grill and headlight protection for less than about $2000, same with BuckStop. Not misleading at all whne you actually start pricing what you get.

 

[Blakers]

Thanks guys! Here's one a friend bought for his 01, but they make them for other years as well. Trail Ready - I kinda like the Pre-Runner style. http://trailready.com/bumpers/02_ram.html

 

[VLopresti]

I personally like the look of the AEV front bumper, but I think they are very expensive and I'm not sure whether they are available for your model year.

 

[DHayden]

Good luck finding a road Armor with a full grill and headlight protection for less than about $2000, same with BuckStop. Not misleading at all whne you actually start pricing what you get.

$1250 shipped

 

[mfurrh55]

take 850.00 for it

 

[EricViviano]

https://bumpersuperstore.com/i-1155...umper-bullnose-dodge-2500-3500-2003-2005.html

https://www.hdtruckware.com/dodge-c...8.html?zenid=03bbe1b05f4502e22bfc30213d8d923d

Hard to beat for the price

 

[Blakers]

Here’s a company that sells bumpers that are formed, but you weld them together yourself. Move, starting at $500.
https://www.movebumpers.com/