2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission rear bumper needed

[keimmmo]

Well guys, I am down here in central Mexico. I was rearended by a little Datsun pickup yesterday. The impact pretty well sheared the body off his frame. He got far enough under my truck that my rear bumper broke his windshield and his front bumper bent my exhaust! They towed his truck away on a wrecker. I stuck a tree limb up the tail pipe and pulled it away from the tire and drive away. No one was hurt.



I have been threatening to modify the exhaust, so now I have an excuse. However, I would really like to have a new rear bumper. It didn't even bend it enough to get into the body, but it looks bad. You guys talk about the "stealers" up there... you have no idea how good you have it!!! Anything from a dealer down here is about half again to double what it costs in the States. The quality of their repairs is worse than TERRIBLE!!! I am taking a cash settlement and will do all my own work!



Just wondering, what is a rear bumper worth for my '01 in your area? Mine is factory chrome with plastic covers on top. I would be interested in either new or GOOD used.



I drive a Dodge diesel for many reasons... SAFETY is one of them!!!



Thanks for the help guys!



Steve

 

[Whitmore]

Steve, for about 500 you can get a Ranchand, quailty made and strong too, a little touchup paind would have been all you needed.



cheers, Kevin



#ad

 

[dcasselberry]

Another aftermarket rear bumper you might want to consider is the Buckstop.

I just called for pricing and it's $399 plus shipping (approximately $60).



If you buy it with the front bumper, it is even less expensive ($325).



Check them out at:



www.buckstop.biz

 

[illflem]

I've found Mexican welding shops to be top notch and cheap. I'll bet for a couple hundred bucks you can have an indestructible one made.

 

[Spooled-up]

Stock replacement

Here's a link to Fey bumpers. They have stock exact matches and replacement bumpers that look pretty close to stock. Not sure if this is what you want, but it's cheaper than the dealer.



http://www.autostyles.com/dodgebumpers.htm

 

[dan_gilson]

Sorry for your damage. The stock bumper is at best 12 guage and does not hold up at all.



You have to figure out what you want and what you

want it to look like.



I have a Ruenel rear bumper and am very happy with it. It is very strong: 1/4" plate bent into a channel with 3/8" hangers. I have backed into a tree with no damage. I have also had a 35' flat bed run across it. It broke the end cap weld. I dressed it with a file and bought some touch up paint.



Good options too: I have both the winch, rings and receiver. (all added costs).



It is rather square though.



Try: http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/bumper/frontbumper.htm

for starters. You can find others using search.

 

[krs]

As followup to illflem's suggestion, a piece of 3" x 8", 4" x 8"(or 6" instead of eight) 1/4" wall rectangular steel tubing capped at the ends and inset cut for the license plate and finished your choice would make a bumper equal to any of the $400. aftermarket jobs and the material should be easily available to any Mexican fabrication or body shop.



Depending on your ability to get along and communicate you may be able to get a nearly indestructible and nice looking bumper made for a very good price.



If I were still doing any driving in Mexico I'd forget the stock bumpers as hopeless.

 

[keimmmo]

Well fellas, thanks for the info. It certainly gives me food for thought! I really like the looks of the factory bumper, but the price is quite a bit more than I had expected. I'm not convinced that I really want an aftermarket bumper, but I really see advantages.



I was born in the States, and Spanish IS NOT my native language! But, I am very comfortable communicating in Spanish after spending the majority of my time down here for the last 15 years! I am also a welder and capable of building my own bumper. I have my own shop down here and even have the equipment. That is probably the direction I will go... I just have to decide what I want and how to build it.



I DO NOT want anything too "boxy". This is a great looking truck and I do not want to ruin that! Any pictures you can send might help me decide what to do.



Thanks again.



Steve

 

[24V-DSL]

Steve....

This rear bumper is worth a look? I just picked mine up yesterday. I have seen the one shown on the site in person. These are nice.



www.buckstop.biz

 

[rmrc]

Buck Stop

Steve,



I also give the Buckstop rear bumper my vote! I've been checking out quite a few of the after market bumpers ( after an unwelcome meeting with a deer ) and the Buckstop brand seems the way to go!!!

 

[duaneparks]

Originally posted by keimmmo

I DO NOT want anything too "boxy". This is a great looking truck and I do not want to ruin that! Any pictures you can send might help me decide what to do.



Thanks again.



Steve

You could always make one out of pipe instead of rectangular tubing. Just a thought.



Duane

 

[tractorface]

I'm with Kiemmmo on the stock bumper look. Really don't like the look of the aftermarket stuff. Seems to me with all the aftermarket stuff out there someone should have a good stock bumper to sell cheap. Can't imagine it would be hard to export a bumper to Mexico. Hell if I had one I would trade it to you for two bottles of Don Julio!

Good luck

 

[dan_gilson]

Here is another thought for some added protection...



Most bumpers have the receiver under the bumper. Make sure that you always have a good drop hitch in. That if you do get hit the drop hitch will take most of the force (and probably bend). It is very simple to just pull the pin drive away. The poor #$&! who hit you will probably need a new raditor and other things...

 

[keimmmo]

I agree that some of the pipe bumpers look pretty good. However, I use mine as a step a lot! That round pipe would make a LOUSY step... no matter how good it looks!!!



An old traditional step bumper would really be practical... but not long on good looks. I'm thinking about something made out of square or rectangular tube or even light plate. I would like something stronger than stock, but I don't want to use 1/2 plate for everything either! I want IT to bend in a wreck instead of bending the frame!!!



I Kind of like the looks of of the Buckstop rear bumper too. I especially like the idea of the big back up lights in the rear bumper! There are times when they would really be nice for me!



I thought today that with all the aftermarket bumpers out there that someone surely has a stocker in the garage that they would sell cheap. Anyone know where to find one though?



Well, I have everything fixed except the bent bumper. I sure don't like seeing it that way, but I can live with it while I investigate options. Meanwhile, if you have any more ideas, I am open to suggestions. Thanks everyone!



Steve

 

[dan_gilson]

I dont know how you do things but I dont step much on the bumper without the gate being down. That leaves little to step in so I installed a flip down stainless step on each end cap. They work great and would also work in a pair of tubes provided you welded a flat end cap on each. I got them from Horton and they were about $20/each for the stainless. They look great and have been working well and no rust. I have yet to slip off and occasionally I only get a piece of the boot on them.

 

[CAllen]

Steve,

If you are still interested in a stock chrome step bumper, I have two that are in excellent shape. I changed my trucks to flatbeds so I don't need them. Make you a good deal.



Curtis

 

[Spooled-up]

Look in the classifieds...

Just saw in the classifieds today someone selling a chrome rear bumper. It is off of a 2001 and he wants $150 for it.

 

[keimmmo]

Just thought I would let you all know we have a happy ending. Yesterday, Friday the 13th, I was in the biggest auto parts store in Central Mexico. I go there often. They carry a lot of aftermarket body parts normally, but have never carried a rear bumper for my truck.



I about fell over when I saw my stock bumper on display! I talked to one of the owners... a good friend of mine. He told me they are genuine Chrysler bumper assemblies! They are "scratch and dent" rejects off the assembly line. They had just bought a semi truck load of them directly from the factory!!! Sure enough, they all have MINOR defects, dents, or scuffs. They come complete with plastic top covers and mounting brackets. Price? $160 American. I bought one!!!



I thank you all again for your help! I just might consider the aftermarket replacements some day if I need a front bumper. A matched pair would look pretty good on my truck! But, I just can't justify going that route when I can get by so cheaply for now!



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!



Steve