2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ranch Hand variation rear bumper - PICS

[Eric Lee]

Here in Michigan I found it a little hard to find a pipe type - Ranch Hand - rear bumper cheap enough to warrant pulling my dented stock one off - shipping is $125 to $150 because these bumper companies are all in TX. I'm have a fab shop so I could build one, but for 3 bills - it's not worth it.



I bought this one off Ebay for $325 shipped - it was used, and for a Ford, but the frame width was the same so the brackets could stay where they were. The T3 bumper I started with was 75 1/2" wide. I cut the ends off and welded on a shaped 1/2 plate to end with 73 1/2" wide. My truck has a 2" body lift so most without the lift would have to go with the 8" drop bumper or it would hit the stock hitch.



So $325 out and a days labor... ... ..... I have more theoretically in it than a new one even with shipping included - but I like it more. I still need to paint it - the original was powder coated and it suprized me to find how deep the rust got under a flap of the damaged coating. I don't want to add sandblasting to the cost so I'll probably just wire wheel the hell out of it an spray it with my epoxy primer and a urethane top coat.



- Eric

 

[tolmsted]

Very nice! I like that. You scored a good one by shopping around and reworking it yourself.
Tom

 

[hilda]

Nice job, I like the steps on the sides, wish mine had them.



Jim

 

[Eric Lee]

Thanks for the positive energy



This is just as I wanted one if I built it - most of these are about the same and I don't like the way the ends of the bumpers are finished. That's really the trickiest part of the whole fabrication. The stock ends are pretty shapely - very hard to reproduce the fit - the best you can do is get it close. The Ranch Hand design is great - that's why all these companies knock it off.



Here's the Ebay pic of the original bumper advertised to fit 99-07 F250/350 - the only reason I even make the point is that these bumpers are real popular in Texas as are Fords - if you want to buy a used one it will probably be in TX and made to fit a Ford. The bumper brackets need to be shortened by 2" or so and new holes drilled - but the Ford brackets seem to be spaced the same as for a Dodge for width and height. Keep in mind that my brackets accomodate a 2" body lift. And as you can see this 10" drop bumper would not fit with the stock hitch without the lift.



And the second pic is to show final fit at 73 1/2" wide - the stock 'sport' bumper is 72" even plus a little for the plastic cover - the used bumper I started with was 75 1/2"



-Eric

 

[bighammer]

The powdercoating on the Ranch Hand bumpers just SUCKS.

 

[Eric Lee]

It's easy - but the adhesion isn't there. The finish is so important for long term customer satisfaction. I paint all my work with 2 part catylized coatings -now that sucks - I hate it - I wish I could drop it off somewhere. The last time I checked in to it I was told that around a sharp corner powder coating dimenishes to 10% of thickness. And we all know what happens when water hides under it.



Take a look at my site - you can see the work I usually paint. I have to paint most things from 8 different angles - upside down right side up - this way - that way - and these are just bumpers - 10 min a coat - they all can do better. But then again TX doesn't get the salt - and I really didn't want to mention this but the used T3 Bumper bracket was stamped MEXICO.



LEE CUSTOM IRON



Eric

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yeah, we get some cheap bumpers down here... I got the bumpers on my '04 for $1k installed, and they've got a lot stronger finish than Ranch Hands (not saying much, I know)

 

[chopperman]

95 & 96 rear bumper, Where to get a used or knew?

I'm looking for a couple of rear bumpers ,they don't have to be chrome , and I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I keep hearing ranch hand bumpers?? Any other sugestions?? Please advise. Thanks Brian

 

[robbiesworld]

Wat Evr Lol

 

[AABEN]

There is a lot of dodges in TX. You see them with 30& 40 ft flat bed all over TX. I picked up a new TX ranch hand front bumper for my 03. The dodge dealer In staled 325. 00 it took the man 1hr 20m to get the gob done. one man did it. The rest had gome home. He stayed over and did it. I was heading back to IN the next morring. Thanks to Dodge dealer in Crockett TX.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the guy I bought my bumpers from had a few of his employees install them for me... took them about 30min to install BOTH! They'd done a few of them before! LOL

 

[JacobsD]

Nice Bumper! Love the license plate :-laf

 

[AABEN]

Chopperman the ranch hand is a very good one. I thank it is the best one for sale front and back. They have three front bumper that will make people look twice when you get in back of them. They will save your front from deers and most small cars. The large one sets about 14in out in front.

 

[AABEN]

E. LEE that is a good looking job. I hope that no one hits it. If they do to bad for there car!

 

[Eric Lee]

Here's the finished pic - you can just see my little dog in the driver seat - he should know better than to ask to drive - but he always does.



Blackbear - I see you are in Indiana - do you know of a dealer up here that sells these pipe bumpers? I couldn't find a dealer anywhere close. Shipping was $125 or so from TX to MI and that kinda killed the deal for me.



I had my sandblast guys 'dust' the bumper and now with my paint on I wish I had them just get all the old paint off. Any imperfections stand out like a sore thumb - at 3 feet anyway and not so bad at 10.



I mainly put this type of bumper on so I didn't have to be as careful backing into a trailer. The stock bumper was body color and not something you can feel around with - now I can really bump something with it and not take it out. I jackknifed my trailer and took out the original bumper and the tongue of the trailer - next time I'll just have to rebuild the trailer.



- Eric