Rear bumper taco'd at 1.5mph?

[R.Taylor]

So help me understand. You have mirrors on the doors, a mirror on the windshield, back up sensors, a rear view camera, a drivers license, years of experience, two eyes, and a brain. You hit a pole and damaged your truck and its FCA’s fault? Or should it be the poles fault? Or maybe we can blame being too busy to install a better bumper you already had? I am sorry you hurt your truck but personal accountability is becoming increasingly rare. Own the mistake and move on.

Whatever Jared.... Nothing in my post put a blame on FCA for me bumping a post. My rant was regarding the poor quality of the bumper that can't handle a love tap. It was 100% my fault and I'm fine with that..... I've moved on. But then we have you who wants to over analyze the situation and make some lame post (no pun intended).

 

[Wiredawg]

Everyone,

I found a 2022 prototype bumper Ram is testing to respond to customer complaints on cheesy bumpers. Its standard on Limited, Laramie Longhorn, but $500 option on the rest.

Found this1930 International at winery me and the missus got a case of Peach, BlackBerry, and Blueberry wine.

Cheers, Ron

 

[josephc1]

My dad had a 1928 Model A ford coupe. It had bumpers very similar to what
Wiredawg showed in his photo. That car had mechanical brakes making good use of those bumpers.

 

[Wiredawg]

I know this is taking a different spin on this thread, but do y'all remember when rear bumpers were optional equipment? I remember most trucks at dealers didn't have them on at all.

Just a distant memory from the past.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

Everyone,

I found a 2022 prototype bumper Ram is testing to respond to customer complaints on cheesy bumpers. Its standard on Limited, Laramie Longhorn, but $500 option on the rest.

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Found this1930 International at winery me and the missus got a case of Peach, BlackBerry, and Blueberry wine.

Cheers, Ron

Nice that it has a cup holder.

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, That not going to be correct answer dog barking, wife firing orders you need a hearing aide you forgot about what was around you, at least just scratch the metal. Just wire brush some primer, then top coat!

 

[JR]

do y'all remember when rear bumpers were optional equipment? I remember most trucks at dealers didn't have them on at all.

That must be where Ford got the idea before SAE ratings to drop non critical items like bumpers and spare tires to pad their payload ratings

 

[AnonEd]

Wiredawg "I know this is taking a different spin on this thread, but do y'all remember when rear bumpers were optional equipment? I remember most trucks at dealers didn't have them on at all."

That was my First Gen...but you had to order a rear bumper OR a spare tire. I thought a spare might be more useful, though I never needed it until I had 33s and the spare had to go in the bed. Still don't have a bumper....

 

[KBrennan]

Backing my 2019 3500 into a parking spot today and bumped a sign post at (I"M NOT KIDDING) a mile and a half an hour and barely kissed it. Well, It bent my rear bumper like a taco and then it kissed the stupid duck-bill flared tailgate lip. Give me a break FCA, You call this "Heavy Duty"? I don't care if my truck is near 9k pounds... Why skimp on a bumper? I remember my 1966 Pontiac GTO had 1/4" bumpers on it. What's this 20ga garbage you use for "bumpers" FCA? I have a brand new FabFours" rear bumper that I have yet to install (going to install it now this Saturday) which I should have already done..... Which would have in turn... Not caused me to dent my tailgate lip. I now have ordered the Geno's Garage Lip Protector that will hide the dented lip... The OEM bumper is now going in the trash and not on Craigslist as I had planned. Will post pics of the FabFours that's going on tomorrow.

Any new RAM owner please take note.... OEM bumpers are not for protection in any means WHAT SO EVER, They are purely decorative. The word "Heavy Duty" only applies to the drivetrain these days.

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Get a Buckstop or similar bumper. 1/4” plate steal. They can take a good hit. I had one on the front end of my 99. I thought nothing could hurt it until I got hit by a Semi. See my post in the Gen2 forum. However, outside of a Semi at 60mph +/- it is a seriously stout bumper

 

[KBrennan]

So... Got the bumper on and it looks great. Just a touch of adjusting needed to get the gaps looking good and I'll crank it down tight. While I was at it I removed the cheesy plastic trim pieces from the bottom edges of the bed (free if anyone want's em), They bothered me and gave the truck a lower look than it was. I think FCA put them on there to "clean up" the look and even out the lower lines of their power running boards as they do not tuck up out of sight like the AMP boards do. I also decided not to put the OEM bed step back on as the new bumper has pockets for your foot on each side. I installed the Geno's garage WhamoSlamo tailgate lip protector..... The fit could be better and the choice of plastic could be better as the slightest scrape or scratch becomes a permanent mark. it does it's job though and hides my dented lip (which I hammered out carefully). I got the TDR grill badge while I was at it.... Had one on my 06 and I forgot to take it off when I sold it. Anyways.... The TDR grill badge won't work on the new grill, The grill is too deep for the threaded stud on the badge to make it to the other side AND getting on would require removing the grill completely so.... I cut off the threaded stud and carefully ground the remaining bit flush on the grinder, I then used some 3M Acrylic Plus double sided auto trim tape and applied my new TDR badge to my tailgate (I figured I'm usually passing everyone so a fellow TDR member might only see my back end ). Going to order some DuraFlaps as soon as I finish this post.

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Good looking bumper. Nice clean lines

 

[Jared Herzog]

Lets face it. If Ram had heavier bumpers from the factory would there be any payload left on a 2500?
I was not trying to be a jerk at all. I reread my post and it may have been in poor taste so for that i apologize. In todays climate everyone blames others for their actions. As men maybe we should call each other on it and improve who we are individually. I know i have been called out on stuff like that before. Gives you time to think.
Anyway, toss up some photos of the new bumper. I am interested in doing a front bumper than i can push disabled vehicles off the road with without damage to the coolers on the front. I live in flash flood alley where cars stall in roads covered with water and are trapped in their vehicle. They could be pushed to dry land. My issue is i like the look of the factory piece so may go AEV but they are pricy.

 

[SmithSpecialtiesHotShot]

My first thought is perhaps the bumpers are supposed to be disposable and bend and flex to absorb forces, but then I'm reminded that unlike cars, trucks (unfortunately) don't have the same crash test and rollover standards that cars have. When left up to manufacturers very few will go above and beyond the minimum requirements the government mandates.
So, with that being said, it's never a bad idea to invest in an after market bumper or brush guard. Craigslist and junkyards are great sources for used ones. There are some heavy duty rear bumpers that actually work well.

 

[nukegm]

bumpers lives matter.

 

[Bug Out]

Just recently semi refurbished a 1996 Dodge ram and the bumpers to my surprise were paper thin. The only thing that added weight to the rear was the block built in around the tow ball hitch hole. Otherwise, it would have weighed about as much as a box of Trix cereal...

 

[Wiredawg]

Last known (to me) stout factory bumpers was on my 1964 Cheby step side pickup. My 78 Lil Red Express D150 bumpers are just perty... not much function beyond that.

Cheers, Ron

 

[mwilson]

Waaay back when I was but just a boy.....

When ordering a Scout or Pickup from IH rear bumpers were an option. IH offered them but as I recall my step father preferred the bumpers offered by Fisher Engineering in Rockland Maine. That is the same Fisher that makes snowplows, I’m sure Federal Regs and / or liability concerns made them get out of the bumper business..

Trying to find a picture of a Fisher bumper but not having any luck. They would take a pretty good hit!

 

[mwilson]

Someone in the ‘60s offered a rear bumper that was also a platform. It was heavy!!

As I recall it stuck out from the rear of the truck about 3’.
Grandfather bought a ‘62 Chevy 4X4 holdover with a plow that had one of those “Picnic Tables” on the back. Uncle had to cut some off and shorten it as you would get stuck when plowing if you backed up onto a snow bank by accident. Plus it would drag on a woods road...

 

[mwilson]

I just remembered, the Fisher bumper was called....

“Fisher Step N’ Tow”!!!

Found it!! They offered them to fit any OEM truck.

 

[Regcabguy]

Woke up this morning hoping I imagined my mistake... Nope. Thank you all for the kind words during this difficult time. JPM.... Thanks for the offer. Parking sensors were on but was rocking out to Lynyrd Skynyrd. 100% user error but C'mon... a love tap shouldn't destroy a bumper.

Free Bird? That and Stairway to Heaven have been played to oblivion.