OK, How Tough...Hit anything/anyone...

[Pit Bull]

When you talk about weight I would think your springs and shocks would be a big factor. My 2000 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 did not have the snow plow option (heavy duty springs) and it weighed 7380# with no one in it. 4420# steer axle and 2960# drive axle. My 2002 3500 Regular cab 4x4 has the snow plow option with the (heavyduty springs) and it weighs 6820# with no one in it. 4060# steer axle and 2760# drive axle. Even with the addition of heavy duty front springs my new truck still weighs 360# less in the front then my 2000 did. I should be able to put an additional 360# on the front of my new truck and still not tax it as much as my 2000 was stock. Seems like there is a big difference in a individual trucks weight barring ability based on the trucks configuration?? Or am I missing something? Do all of you guys that have added the big bumpers have the snow plow springs? Can you tell us what your front now weighs with the new heavy duty bumpers and is it causing your springs to sag or affecting how your truck rides? Sorry for the long post but I am just trying to get as much info as possible.

Thanks

 

[Mactruck]

I have the Snow Plow package. My truck came with the 39/46 springs. I would think it would be recommended to have some type of spring upgrade but the nice thing about the DOR is that it is relatively lightweight compared to most steel bumper. It does weigh more than the stocker but by only 80 or so pounds.





Straight6Jeff has a Reunel on the front of his 2 wheel drive dually and he put airbags in the frontend to keep the front from nosediving. He claims it works great.

Ted Constantine didn't have the Snow plow package and stated he didn't need too for his DOR bumper. That was untill he put a winch in it. Then he added a set of leveling springs from Skyjacker and it rides alot better.

Originally posted by BarryG

PitBull:

The DOR comes in two flavors uncoated and black powder coated I think there are some pictures on here somewhere of MacTrucks which is uncoated. I think 1300 and 1500 worth every penny but a call to Layne would be best to verify.

The bumper I have is actually clearcoated. If it wasn't the New England salt would tarnish the heck out of the aluminum Layne usually charges an extra hundred for the brushed clearcoat. The best thing about it is that it is that it hides the scratches. I paid $1400 for mine and that was around July 2001.

<img src="https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=168

 

[pnwradar]

I've tagged three deer and a yearling elk with my DOR bumper resulting in zero damage -- almost got another deer last night, but he jumped out of the road in the nick of time.



Shipping weight of the DOR was around 135# -- it arrived wrapped in several layers of old carpet. I'd guess the bumper weighs around 90lbs, and the mounts another 10 or so.



-jon-

 

[EagleEye]

Anyone else with input on ARB???

Well... anyone else got one and done carnage with it yet???



How about likes and dislikes of the DOR and ARB styles?

 

[Sregorb]

Things I like about DOR:

Worlds better than stock!

Light tabs integrated (for offroad lights/foglights etc).

Wide protection-brush guards go past headlights and turn signals. Not that there is ANY brush that's going to damage those tubes. (They are THICK)

Much lighter than the comparable protection with a steel bumper. Which leads to better mileage, same protection, no rust, shiny is available if you like that kinda style.

Integrated shackle holes for carrying those D-rings. Someplace to hook onto for pulling those vehicles out of the ditch!

Integrated Winch- up to 15K (I have the 12k and never had a problem)

A single deer/antelope/elk/etc hit and it pays for itself in avoiding shop downtime during repairs.



Things I don't like about DOR:

All the attention it brings. I've actually had people flag me down on the road/stoplights/etc to ask me where, how much, telephone number, company name, etc of the bumper!!!! Gate guards have commented (to the positive) on it "the trucks too big, but I want your bumper!" word for word quote.

Of course this has a positive side to it also-less people cut you off when they notice the bumper! oops, shoulda put that one up top. I've seen people go WAY out of their way to avoid any 'impression' of coming close to the truck.



Can't speak for ARB.



Brian

 

[BarryG]

EagleEye:

Sregorb pretty much summed up the DOR. I have an ARB on the wifes Toyota 4runner and it is a nice bumper no doubt about it and definitely less expensive. After I installed it I decided to go ahead and get a DOR for the Dodge. I even called ARB and talked to them they claim their bumper will get you home (I want to get home and another 200k). I am sure it will take a fair hit but a deer at 40-50mph I doubt it would come away unscathed. But they do seem to have physics incorporated into their design, the shape and contours are not that way by accident at least according to them. All in all the ARB is top quality. I just wasn't sure it was heavy duty enough for me in front of a 7k truck.

 

[Ted Constantine]

As Kevin(Mactruck) said I have a DOR w/ warn 12k. My truck is a 6sp qc long box with out the plow prep so the springs are 039/046. After installing the bumper I saw no sag at all. With the addition of the winch it did not sag at all but after a couple months it had dropped significantly. I added the d25 skyjacker springs and they are working great. The addition of a warn m-12000 or m-15000 doubles the weight of the DOR bumper.



This was the carnage that resulted in the purchase of the DOR. 7+ grand in damage. Buck at 75mph

#ad




This is pretty much what the truck looks like now with the skyjacker springs.



#ad

 

[CumminFast]

The stock bumper really protected my front end the other day. I was checking out this fine honey driving a toyota truck and I rear ended the he!! out of some isuzu rodeo. I didn't even hit the brakes. I was probably going 30-40mph. Anyway, all I needed was a new bumper and brackets. The fan hit the radiator a little too. But man oh man did screw up that rodeo. It had probably 3-4k of damage.

 

[Pit Bull]

What did they charge you for a new bumper?

 

[CumminFast]

I bought one for about $300 including the molding brackets.

 

[Sregorb]

check out:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=61851



Another Ute group purchase if your so inclined



Brian

 

[DieselDoghouse]

My ProZap front bumper has been very useful felling small trees when the chainsaw's dull—just pull up and LEAN!! It has been hit by others a couple of times with no marks. One thing I WILL say about aftermarket (spelled heavier) bumpers: Know that as you add more sag or drop to the nose of your truck you WILL seriously affect you front alignment and steering. NO amount of playing with trackbars, caster, toe-in will help until your chassis ride height is restored (because it affects your caster). You might want to figure the cost of beefier springs into the purchase. I am adamant about this cause I proved it myself - the hard way!!!

 

[Big Best]

any one ever of silverstar bumpers