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

[EagleEye]

May be in the market for a front bumper for my Sport 3500 4x4, and was looking at the Denver Off Road and the Road Armour, but wanted to know from those who have them (and others) how they handle hitting something.



Stopping a 4+ ton truck (base without camper or trailer) is suprisingly effective, but still looking at getting a 'Pinto Splitter' bumper to minimize damage on my end if I hit an animal or a compact.



I don't need a front winch, but would like a front receiver (for a convertible winch and moving trailer) and my front GAWR would accomodate anything up to a Road Armor.



SO... If you have TAGGED medium sized animals or compact cars/trucks, let me know how your bumper faired the carnage. Info would be insturmental in my decision, and I am open for other options.

 

[WKener]

I am not able to speak from personal experience with the DOR bumper, but I have plenty of experience TAGGING assorted objects... What I can tell you, however, is about quality and craftsmanship.

My bumpers are solid and work well, but are obviously inferior to the quality of the DOR. Not to mention the weight savings of a well-constructed aluminum bumper, and the fact that it will never rust.



I am willing to bet the DOR frontend will take anything you can give it... Your frame will probably tweak from impact before that bumper does



I don't know about options for a front reciever hitch, but you could always call Layne and see what he can do!

 

[Cowboy Medic]

I hit a deer last May. $6000. 00 + in damage. In the process of putting a new front end on my truck I switched to the RanchHand front bumper. I am very pleased, it comes standard with the front reciever. I hit another deer this fall with the new bumper, went home and repositioned my off-road lights and hosed off the bumper, and had to replace the plastic bracket I use to mount my liscense plate. total cost of second deer hit $11 and change. If you want to see pics they are in the readers rig forum, under Cowboy Cadillac second edition. I really like the way it looks on my truck and I seem to get alot of compliments about it. Definitely is built. I really like the fact that the brush guard wraps all the way around the headlights and is integrated fully into the bumper design. I hope this helps and you get something you like as well as I like mine.

 

[brandonwhite]

I have hit or been a passenger in other trucks that have hit about 10 deer. Stock you are hosed. Bolt on grill guard that leaves your factory bumper you are looking at some damage probably a new bumper. Front end replacement like a ranch hand not even a scratch. One night I was riding with a buddy going way faster than he should like 85 mph and he smacked a deer in his dodge with a ranch hand and it did absolutely nothing to the truck, the deer well that is another story. Another friend had some old lady in a compact car pull out in front of him and he t-boned her. It totaled her car and did zero to his truck with the ranch hand. I really believe with the heavy duty front end replacements you will bend your frame before you damage them.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Weblink?

Can someone provide a weblink for Ranch Hand in this thread? Thanks

 

[EagleEye]

That's an EASY one...

www.ranchhand.com

 

[gitchesum]

I wwas tagged on the left rear side by a Chevy Tahoe several months ago. I have a Wraparound bumper similar to what Rnach Hand sells. The only damage was, when the plastic bumper cover on her tahoe hit my bumper, I guess the friction caused some of the plastic to melt onto my bumper. Simple wash job handled it. Still looks good.

BTW, it tore the heck out of her truck. Broken headlight, turn signal, bumper and all the stuff that goes on it. She wasn't happy. Especially since it was her fault. You think she'd be pleased that I didn't have to file a claim.

 

[stew]

How much does the ranch hand weigh in at?



I have been contemplating a new front for a bit...

Ever since I witnessed a 1500 rearend a car at about 5 MPH and the darn bumper on the 1500 just about fell off and no damage to the compact car... That made my mind up for me... Cheezy stock bumper is an understatement...



It's just a matter of finding the right one for me...



Hey, it's like being a kid in a candy store!!!

 

[Mactruck]

pnwradar, hit at least 1 deer with his Denver Offroad. He was going about 45 mph and pummeled the deer. All he did afterward was wash his bumper off with a hose. Maybe he'll chime in. A post about it was

here.



The DOR bumper does use 1/2 " thick aluminum in the front and 5/8 on the top and bottom for support with steel munting brackets. Great quality and workmanship.

JM2 cents.

 

[24V-DSL]

No stories, but these guys deserve serious consideration. www.buckstop.biz



I've been to their shop twice. These are high quality offerings. My rear bumper with special cut-outs for my LED lights should be ready in a few days.



No affiliation.

 

[BIGDIG]

BUMPERS

I have a set of running bourds on my 3500 that I purchased from www.toughcountry.com. If you want a real replacement bumper check out these. I don't have it yet but been in contact with them about the bumper I want. It's around $700-850 depending on accessories you want on it.

 

[gitchesum]

When my bumper came in on the freight truck, the ticket said it weighed 205#. I'm not sure what the front one weighs, I picked it up from the dealer myself. I would say it's close to 275-300#.



I also have a set of running boards similar to what BIGDIG has on his truck. Just from a different company. They weighed over 100# as well. Lets just say I think my 1/4 mile times might be affected a little.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Mactruck

[URL

The DOR bumper does use 1/2 " thick aluminum in the front and 5/8 on the top and bottom for support with steel munting brackets. Great quality and workmanship.

JM2 cents.

How much do the DOR bumpers run? I like the idea of heavy duty aluminum.

 

[stevegeorge]

I have the Ranchhand grille guard and bumper on my '99.

Casualties to date: 3 deer, total cost to repair damage: $35. 00

also 1 totalled Subaru, total cost to repair damage: $75. 00

Ranchhand equipment are the best in my opinion.

 

[lgibson]

Look under "Ouch" in readers rigs. It is a picture of my 3500 vs a Suburban at 35 mph impact. The Sub pulled out in front of me and there was not a thing I could do. I just felt a little tap and the Suburban spun about 180 degrees. Afterwards, the mighty CTD was still running and was able to drive home. The Suburban was totaled, frame was cracked. I had to replace the A/C, lights, Bumber, hood, and fender. Without that bumber my truck would have been totaled, from what the body shop guy said.



The bumper is a TJM products, www.tjmproducts.com.au/ . It is a very well built bumper. It is lite, air bag aproved, and is a two piece design for strenth. But don't everyone go out and buy one, I like being different.

 

[JWhitcomb]

If you replaced a stock bumper with an alum. one, what would the net increase in weight be? What would the net be with a steel one. Talking front bumpers here, I am over weight most of the time now with camper, can't add too much.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Weight wise you are talking an extra 200 or so lbs with the ranch hand. It will vary by bumper with the aluminum obviously weighing a little less. The one I have I bought second hand from a guy who had them on a half ton. He was selling them because it was causing his front tires to cup. With the suspension already built up to handle the cummins my one ton doesn't even notice it is there. I personally am extremely satisfied with it and would never go back to the POS plastic one. especially for the price. I was able to put Front and rear Ranch Hand as well as Four new aluminum rims for the same price the body shop wanted to replace the factory plastic and one plastic hubcap. Chrysler wants way too much for their plastic.

 

[lgibson]

I am not 100% sure but I believe the TJM T1 weighs 70 something lbs with out the winch plate. The winch plate is thick steel that slides between the frame rails, and with a winch it is heavier than the bumber. You don't need the winch plate unless you want a winch. Also consider the road you drive. If it as dips, the downward force could double the weight.



One thing to be carefull with is you want the bumber to be weaker than the frame. I would rather have the bumber fold then the frame.

 

[WKener]

Although I prefer the looks/build of the DOR, the Ranch Hand is still a SOLID front end. I always thought it weighed in over 250lbs, but I am not positive on that... A buddy of mine just bought his new PSD a few months ago (new one every 2 years), and this time he didn't think he could justify getting the usual Ranch Hand front end... He never really used it before. Of course he plowed a deer two weeks ago at 60+mph... Really did a number on that truck!



You can always put a RH on and fuggedaboudit

Wes

 

[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.



JWhitcomb:

The DOR weighs in at 135lbs. I don't know how much the stock one weighed but it wasnt much mostly plastic maybe <50lbs with the brackets.