2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Police Push Bumper on a RAM

[Eric Lee]

Has anyone put one of these on a RAM? I bought this on ebay - looks pretty bad in pic but it's nice quality - aluminum and thick rubber pads.



If any one has done this I would love a pic and some pointers on bracketry.



I've been thinking about doing this for a while - and winter is coming..... I guess I can always take it off.



- Thanks in advance - Eric

 

[MKinner]

Oh no, that is too pretty looking of a truck to put that on! No offense but really, how much is that going to do for you? I would put a Reunel bumper on that rig before that, if you can afford it... www.reunel.com #ad

 

[DragsterRob]

Eric,

I would look at a snow plow mount as far as the bottom mounting goes, that is a good way to mount to the frame, I just took off a spotter receiver hitch and it mounts like a plow does. the reason I removed it is b/c I am putting on the plow. As far as the top, going over the bumper, I will look at mine in the morning and give you my $0. 02.

Rob

 

[DragsterRob]

Will try and post pics in the morning

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Oh no, that is too pretty looking of a truck to put that on! No offense but really, how much is that going to do for you? I would put a Reunel bumper on that rig before that, if you can afford it... www.reunel.com #ad

Pretty trucks get hit more often. Ugly trucks remain unscathed. I say run it in rush hour traffic for a while. Just make sure you get a solid vertical mount to the frame though. The wimpy Diaper Chrysler brackets will tilt upwards the minute you put pressure on them. (trust me, I used to push cattle and chase deer with mine) I had the stock bumper with a "mr. pickup" grill guard over it then. My Reunel bumper I have on it now is complete overkill. I am actually afraid of damaging the frame if I hit something hard with it. At least the Factory mounts would absorb the hit a little. The reunel won't budge with its side brackets installed.

 

[Eric Lee]

I wish I knew how to use Photoshop better - I could put it on there and see how I like it. I'll try to get my buddy to spend a few minutes with me and show me how to digitally install it on the computer and see how it looks. I'll post pics and we'll get a better idea.



I have had the factory tow hooks installed and along with those there are some pretty beefy brackets that tie the end of the frame and the front-most crossmember together and supply a mounting place for the hooks.



I think it's a real valid point as far as occuring more damage by transfering the load to somewhere other than where it is suppose to accept impact. My concern would be the upper mounts, there would have to be some creative fabricaton to sufficiently support the top directly to the frame The cars these come off of (police) are run like battering rams and I suppose these probably work like sacrificial butresses.



I have to admit, it is some looks, but I have to park right up against a wall on account of tight parking everyday. And I like the sport bumper. Didn't they use to call body color bumpers 'endura bumper' or something like that?



I think I like the idea of a front reciever and possibly a very minimal but strong push bar. With an added advantage of winch placement, and the other practical uses of one. What else can a front reciever be used for? Who sells a good US made front reciever for our trucks?



Or maybe I could attach a huge boxing glove up there, with KaPow written on the front... ... ... ...



-Eric

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I have to admit, it is some looks, but I have to park right up against a wall on account of tight parking everyday. And I like the sport bumper.

???? you park against a wall and have tight parking space and you want to install a protruding object to the front of your truck making its overall length even worse?... I would settle for a front receiver hitch and install a flush mount hitch into it with a low profile poly bump stop sticking out the end of a piece of square tubing in place of receiver ball, this would give you just enough to feel the contact without the length issue, or the concern of a rigid frame impact since the bumper could still absorb a large amount of impact if hitting another vehicle etc.





What else can a front reciever be used for? Who sells a good US made front reciever for our trucks?I use my front receiver in my work truck for everything from a welding table mount, to a utility rack mount that is pinned in and is level with the headache rack on the bed. This allows me to carry 2o ft lengths of steel pipe, tubing etc. without a trailer. Light and small loads of course. My dodge is going to be getting one soon as well. Its ready to be turned into a full time work truck with 1/4 million miles on it now. No more cosmetics for mine. Yours looks too good for that kind of task though.



Or maybe I could attach a huge boxing glove up there, with KaPow written on the front... ... ... ...



How about a set of fiberglass bull horns? Possibly the back half of a foam deer practice target? That would be a statement for sure.

-Eric

Maybe if you modified a receiver tube insert to accept the police push bar, you could have it removable and still be functional for when you thinki you need it.

 

[Scott Elliott]

That push bumper looks like it came off of a Ford Crown Victoria. We have them on our marked cars. They DO NOT offer crash protection. They bend, twist, and mangle very easily. They are only meant to push disabled vehicles. When a car is broken down on the road, we can come up from behind, slowly match up my push bumpers to the car's rear bumper, and GENTLY push the car off of the raod. If you try to pull anything with them (or if some one tries to pull you with them), they will rip right off. Besides, that push bumper is tiny compared to the front end of your truck.

 

[DragsterRob]

Eric, what are the outside to outside dimensions on the "cop car bar"?

 

[Eric Lee]

Actually I was planning to mount right in line with the frame rails, which would put them closer together than the pic shows. Scott is right - this is set up for a Crown Vic.



I'm really liking the idea of a front reciever - but maybe something with a 2" in the middle and 2 of those smaller car size (3/4" x 2) pockets positioned in front of the frame rails and provide a wider stance and removable mount for push bars. If I reinforced each individual push bar with heavy gussets in between and around the assembly - they might not need top supports. Each would be independantly removable, what da ya think?

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Actually I was planning to mount right in line with the frame rails, which would put them closer together than the pic shows. Scott is right - this is set up for a Crown Vic.



I'm really liking the idea of a front reciever - but maybe something with a 2" in the middle and 2 of those smaller car size (3/4" x 2) pockets positioned in front of the frame rails and provide a wider stance and removable mount for push bars. If I reinforced each individual push bar with heavy gussets in between and around the assembly - they might not need top supports. Each would be independantly removable, what da ya think?

Very wise idea. I did this to a hitch receiver on my suburban so I could put a receiver rack on it for my dirt bike. I used 2" tubes on the side inserts as well to keep it from rocking back and forth. It worked very well.

Gussets are good, but remember what we posted about above, don't build it so strong you damage your frame