Rear Bumper::: OOOPS!

[zimman20]

Cop says it's my fault, I say the lady came out of her parking place behind me (in the dark) and when I backed up I didn't see her Camry (aka Tin Can) and creased her driver side front and rear doors and rear fender, easily $4k worth of damage to her car. Didn't hit her that hard, either. The only damage to my truck was the crappy rear bumper that comes stock on our $40k trucks is a goner, big old dents in both sides (hit her flush), no damage to the brackets which is why I say this bumper is a piece of junk if I could ruin it and not bend the brackets!



The reason for this post is I searched all the TDR posts knowing there was good info on bumpers and replacement/upgrades for them but didn't see anything I liked or that wasn't a grand or better. Thought ya'll might like to check out this website:



http://www.pickuptruckaccessories.com



Click on 'Exterior' and 'bumpers', they've got MAAP bumpers and others, the V-Drop bumpers that I liked, only $211. 00 plus $40. 00 for shipping, stainless steel and comes with the vinyl top like the original. Word to the wise on the V-Drop, I haven't installed it yet but was advised by their rep to only get the 8" version, not the 10" or 12", if you have the hitch receiver as most of us do the 8" will clear the hitch but the others won't. Hope this helps!





Rich

 

[hammersley]

How Husky

The price and data look great. Do you actually have it yet? Is it really husky? By the way - what is the difference in the styles, like V-Drop and OEM - I can't seem to tell teh difference from the photos... . Also does it match holes etc, no drilling I mean... .

 

[zimman20]

Hammersley-



I haven't received it yet so I can't speak for its beefy-ness, but it is supposed to come with the necessary hardware for installing it and utilizing the factory mounting holes, no drilling is supposed to be required. The difference between the v-drop and the OEM is that the v-drop is wider at the center and narrows up towards the fenders (hence it looks like a 'V') and the OEM is just like the original factory bumper, same dimension/width all around. I'll post when I receive the bumper to indicate how hefty it is and how the mounting went, at any rate the OEM replacement was going to cost me 475. 00 per the local Dodge dealer here in NJ, so even if this one is no better 'husky'-wise than the OEM I've already saved $225. 00 and I like the look of the V-drop better than the OEM! Hope this helps.





Rich

 

[hammersley]

Sounds Great

Rish - thanks - sounds great and teh pictures and write-up look really outstanding. Looking forward to your followup. BTW - how far away are you from the mess in NY?

 

[merryman]

A few years ago I came out of a parts store and walked right behind my truck so I know there was nothing there. Hopped in the truck, fired it up, glanced in the center rearview and started to back out of the marked parking space----CRUNCH! Looked in the side mirror and there is some guy just getting out of a low slung roadster.

Yup, my fault I guess, but sure irritated me. The knuckle-head was just going to run in for a second so was going to double-park.

Did not hurt my self made bumper at all (well got a little black paint on it) but made a mess of the front of his cute little car.



Vaughn