Really Beefy Brush Guard Wanted

[Archive]

I'm looking for one of those Monster brush guards that people have out west on their trucks. The normal just won't cut it. Do you guys know who sells them online?

------------------
Mark Callahan

1998. 5 3500 4x4 24V 5spd, Geno's Muffler Kit, Chrome exhaust, Western Hauler Headache Rack, Chrome Rocker Panels, A-Pillar Mounted Boost and Oil Temp Gauges, No Turbo Silencer Ring (Yeah Baby!)

 

[Archive]

Hi AZ:

If you are looking for a bumper/brushguard check out RanchHand Equipment in Boerne Tx.
To find there web site just do a search for ranchhand.

 

[Archive]

i wish someone could tell me who makes the combat ram brush guard featured on dave fritz's ram page!!

that one is it!!

 

[Archive]

abledog's right. I have the Ranchhand on mine. Really bulky. I had to drill a couple of holes in it to mount the fog lights and the steel plate but have been 1/2 an inch thick. Check it out www.ranchhand.com
BTW I think Dave Fritz has a Reunel bumpers http://www.abhunter.com/reunelfront.htm


------------------
"Big Red" 1994 Ram 2500 Laramie SLT, 12 valve, 2WD, Auto. Ranch Hand steel brush guard, Scotty Air, silencer ring removed, Flowmaster muffler, chrome turn down pipe out the side, Velvet ride shackles. www.gitchesumatfreeweb.com

[This message has been edited by gitchesum (edited 08-14-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

I had one of the RanchHand Rover brush guards, but was less than 100% happy. I chose it because it looks like one of the beefiest guards out there - but look close: The uprights do not line up with the major frame members. Thus, if you hit something hard, instead of transmitting force to your frame, it will bend the brackets and push in your front bumper. If you believe in "crumple zones" this is good. But don't tie a rope to your brushguard and try to pull it out of the mud or you'll just bend the brackets and your bumper. Also, the location of these uprights blocks at least a portion of the headlight beam. Not enough to be really bad, but, I didn't like blocking any of the available light. These are just opinions.
I've been looking at the Protec grills on http://www.rafter-q-mfg.com/
and found something very similar to the Ranch Hand except that the main members line up with the Dodge frame. Until I see it in person, I can't swear it is stronger, but I believe it is based on what I have been able to find out so far. Check 'em out and see what you think. The only reason I haven't bought one yet, is, I'm very tempted by a full aluminum bumper set up for use with a winch, and I can't see buying a guard now and then the winch set-up 6 to 12 months from now.

 

[Archive]

Thanks guys for all your help. Now when I see that nice 12 pt. in the middle of the road all I have to do is accelerate... . hehehe... .

------------------
Mark Callahan

1998. 5 3500 4x4 24V 5spd, Geno's Muffler Kit, Chrome exhaust, Western Hauler Headache Rack, Chrome Rocker Panels, A-Pillar Mounted Boost and Oil Temp Gauges, No Turbo Silencer Ring (Yeah Baby!)

 

[Archive]

HC, just a quick note about the RanchHand grill guards. A friend of mine had one on his Ford when he hit a tree head on doing 70. It bent the frame and totaled his truck (CC F250). The grill guard was undamaged and could have been put on another truck.

------------------
98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, 245/70-19. 5 Michelin's, Ranchhand front bumper, Ranchhand rear bumper, Ranchhand toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake

 

[Archive]

Jeff,
I don't disagree - the RanchHand frame itself is extremely heavy duty - the concerns I had were the partial coverage of the headlights, and the way it was attached to the frame, which was less heavy duty than the rest of the setup. (I've been told I'm a picky SOB) #ad

 

[Archive]

Here is the best HD, multi-purpose bumper on the market for our Rams. This is the next option I am getting when in Texas next. The price is acceptable for the size, weight and quality you are getting. Check them out at http://www.ruffstock.com/ Ruff Stock Truck Accessories- Your Source for Grill Guards, Brush Guards, Wrap around Bumpers, Tool boxes, Fuel Tanks, Headache Racks, Welding Supplies, Truck Steps, Bed liners and many other Truck Accessories. Located in Uvalde Texas.

They will even work with you on a custom design if you need something special.




------------------
Bronze 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Short Bed 4 x 4, ETH/DEE, leather, camper/trailer, keyless, 285/75R16 B. F. Goodrich AT's, etc, etc... Future BOMBer!!!!

Life NRA Member

 

[Archive]

FWIW I made some comments in a prior thread on the bumper topic. The front end is almost overloaded from the factory, so a 400 lb bumper and 200 lb winch may be too much. Also, look at the front frame horns first. The front frame section gets its strength from shape (box section) not material thickness, which is only 1/8". Furthemore, only relatively short tabs stick out to hold the bumper. Not too stout. Most aftermarket bumpers are higher than the frame so if something hits them, they will have leverage to kink the frame. Ideally the bumper will extend down to the bottom of the frame horn in an attempt to make any impact straight-line. If you look closely near the firewall, you can see indentations in the corners of the frame like it was hit with a hatchet. These are designed as "crush" inducers, so overdoing it with the bumper may be counterproductive. The leverage from a strong brush guard to kink the frame would be tremendous. You have to decide if you want a less stout bumper system that will collapse (albeit less readily than the wimpy 0. 080" thick stocker) and hopefully protect the frame somewhat, or you want to keep the bumper, and put it on a new frame.
On a similar topic, if everyone isn't too bored, the rear frame section is a lot stronger from the standpoint of bumper mounting. It is 1/4" thick with a strong H crossmember to help keep it from getting out of square. I recently finished my rear bumper and used four bolts per side to mount it, with the forward position being the short slot that is between the two tailpipe bracket mounting holes in the frame.

Sorry if this sounds too pedantic. I am disappointed that Dodge does not offer us a truly HD frame option, and that it is hard to mount good bumpers, the stockers are junk, and all aftermarket stuff I have seen is designed less well than I would like. When get to Texas for the meet at the lake, maybe I'll get to see some of the stuff made there, like Ranchhand, etc. and maybe it is better than what I have checked out so far.

 

[Archive]

Justme, if you check out the RanchHand webpage, you will find that the Ranchhand and RuffStock are identical. There is probably one manufacturer for the bumpers and they are marketed under different names. Contact me via e-mail and I will give you directions to a Ranchhand outlet in the Dallas area where you can get one at cost.

 

[Archive]

Hey guys. I like my homemade guard the best. That way you can build it just the way you want it. Email me for a pick if you are interested in seeing mine. Course anything is stouter than that POS bumper from Dodge. See ya'll.