Need new rear bumper ( again )

[Tom W]

Sitting at a stop light and lady behind let her foot slip off the brake - bingo -- does't take much to dent it. I think this will be the 4th bumper and I'm thinking of getting a Ranchhand or similer. Need something sturdy rather than pretty.



Also thinking about a 10" drop which means I can't use the installed receiver hitch but need a receiver plate.

Any opinions about which bumper and is the receiver plate as good as the regular hitch.



Thanks, Tom

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I'm real m fond of my Ranch hand bumper.



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[duaneparks]

Are you interested in just making one? If so, a piece of 8"x4"x1/4" tube makes a VERY sturdy bumper, and is cheap.



Just weld on brackets made out of 1/4" steel plate to mount it, and voila, you have a bumper that will take all the punishment you can throw at it.



I made mine out of 8"x3"x1/4" and wish I had made it out of 8"x4". See pics here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=2117&width=2



Hope this helps.



Duane

 

[Tom W]

Mark, that looks good. Do you have the receiver plate?

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Yep, it's a 10" or 12" drop with the reciever plate. The plate is bolted and welded to the bumper and the buper is bolted and welded to the frame.



God help he that rear ends me.

 

[C. Harlan]

Call the people at Brown's Welding... $310 for a 10" drop, skirts, and lights for a Dodge... I am about to get one for Christmas... PM me for more details. Their number is 1-800-625-8712, or (830) 625-8712... they are great people to do business with, and are about ½ the price of ranch hand.





-Chris-

 

[gitchesum]

I have Browns on all 4 sides of my truck. The only complaint I have is the paint quality. My front bumper is less than 2 years old and needs to be re-painted real bad. It looked bad after 6 months. I've seen other bumpers over 3 years old that looked better than mine.

 

[TXRam]

Ratings on aftermarket bumpers

Tom,



Make sure to check the ratings on the aftermarket bumpers if you plan on doing away with your receiver hitch. I found all of them to be too low for me, so I ended up with the 6" drop and maintained the use of my receiver hitch.



Clint

 

[RAndrae]

Just go with the Ruenell bumper they are located in Yuba city California. nice built heavy duty bullet proof!!

 

[MCherry]

Take a look at this URL:

http://www.lonestartruckequipment.com/wildwest2.htm



They are just outside La Grange, only about 65 miles from Austin.



I have one of their grill guards on the front of my 2500, and like it. It's powder coated black and that has held up well for the 15 months I've had it. Don't know their price for a rear bumper, but the grill guard was cheaper than Ranch Hand.



Also, I have a friend who has a Brown's Welding grill guard and headache rack, that he likes real well. They are based near New Braunfels.

 

[rich m]

Originally posted by RAndrae

Just go with the Ruenell bumper they are located in Yuba city California. nice built heavy duty bullet proof!!

Ditto that! I like to think of mine as a rear-mounted dozer blade.

( courtesy of a Ford driver's Allstate policy )

 

[Whitmore]

Ranchand

I have the Ranchands front and rear, they are tough and good looking too.



cheers, Kevin



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[Weidner]

I need a new bumper as well. While the wife was driving, and I was sleeping in the passenger seat, some 18 year old decided to total her little Pontiac under our rear bumper. I am looking for something other than stock, that I can paint white to match the rest of my sport, and have a good clean look to it. I am thinking about a roll pan, but not sure of losing all that protection from the bumper, not to mention my step for getting in the bed. Any suggestions? Does anyone have any advise on a roll pan?

 

[Tom W]

I went with the Ranch hand. I think I got a pretty good deal.



10' drop with lights, installed - $329 plus tax -- in Austin,Tx



Looks just like Mark's or Whitmore's except for 2500.



Tom

 

[gitchesum]

My rear bumper has the receiver welded into it. The rating is the same as a Class IV hitch. That is something to check out though.