Ranch Hand Bumpers/bottoming out

[JSzewczyk]

Finally made up my mid to get a ranch hand legend series bumper for the front of my 06 mega cab. After seeing the article about bottoming out in the last TDR, I was wondering if any one else had that problem after installing replacement bumpers. I do not see how a 200 pound bumper could bottom out a heavy duty truck. Any comments and/or experiences would be appreciated.

 

[BBrundrett]

I put the Summit Series on my truck and have noticed that it bottoms out over relatively small bumps. I have been kicking the idea of a leveling kit "coils" around but really don't want to have to spend the money on new tires already.

 

[JFlagg]

One thing you can do without buying any aftermarket springs/spacers, if you don't have it already, is get a set of springs from DC for a truck with the plow package. The springs have a heavier load rating and sit just a bit higher, but will also support the weight better.

 

[CHolman]

I have a wild west bumper from www.lonestartruckequipment.com and you can't beat the price. It was a lot chaper than the buck stop and is actually a havier bumper because I compared mine with my dad's buck stop. I have no bottoming out issue's. Check out R/R's. I have put on the 2" leveling system from top gun customz with some 285's since I took the pictures in my gallery, so my truck looks a lot better now. I hope this will save you some money! PM me and I'll send you the price I paid a year ago.

 

[CPG]

There are several sets of springs available for these trucks. I ordered mine from the factory with the heaviest available for the Ram 2500. A Reunel non winch bumper with the grill guard is mounted on this truck. It is an extreme HD bumper and do not have any bottoming problems to date other than the truck rideing better on these concrete freeways out here with the expansion joints. Never have this truck and trailer off the highway far, so I do not know how the bottoming out would be effected here.



Chuck

 

[Pawpaw]

I've had a Ranch Hand Summit bumper on my truck for over 50,000 miles and the front endhas never bottomed out.



My truck is a 2wd and spends 95% of it's time on pavement, but I have found a few pretty serious potholes.



I have bounced the bumper off the curb a couple of times when backing out.



Bob

 

[DOWG]

My 2006 Mega Cab bottomed out on little bitty bumps from the get-go even with the stock bumper. I was shocked. I had the Ranchhand bull nose on my 1998 12 valve and it never bottomed out.



The article in TDR was about my truck and the heavier springs (OEM Dodge part) completely solved the problem even with the addition of the Road Armor bumper after the spring install. The truck rides better, not harsh, with less body roll.



My $0. 02.

 

[dcherill]

which springs

got my truck used, any way to tell which springs I have? truck has a plow, so I really want to be sure that the best springs are up front.

 

[NJones]

Hey Dowg, how much are the heavy duty OEM springs?

 

[DOWG]

I do not remember exactly, but I want to say about $!50 each for the OEM springs. Pretty cheap when compared to the available aftermarket springs.

 

[NJones]

Wow, that is cheaper than I would have thought. I want to put aftermarket bumper on. After you take bumper assembly off and subtract that weight, it doesn't seem like it would make much difference. Good to know if I need to I'll just put those OEM heavier springs on. Thanks.

 

[BBrundrett]

What issue was the article in? I don't remember it and would love to read about it. Thanks

 

[JSzewczyk]

Issue 54 page 158 "from the shop floor" Thanks for the input seems to be no true answer, guess I'll put one on with my income tax refund and I'll let everyone know how I like it.

 

[BBrundrett]

Thanks, I either read the article and can't remember or just missed that one. I usually read front ot back.