2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Venison Strike Causes Bumper Replacement - Need Info

[Extreme1]

I'm looking for a new front bumper that won't be junk after hitting a small doe at 45 mph like mine does now and I'd like some help. I'd appreciate some feedback on the bumpers I've listed below and if there's some I've missed, please post a link and/or some pics.



I'm looking for a lightweight, strong alternative to stock. To keep the mileage from being impacted I'd like to get something close to the stock dimensions to manage airflow under/around the truck and it would be nice to keep my towhooks.



The sport headlights with the modded wiring set up is enough light that I won't be adding auxillary lights so light mounting isn't important.



I don't need/want to mount a winch and a front reciever isn't a concern but I might be able to use one occaisionally if it's there. A guard to protect the hood isn't a requirement either because if you blow the horn, deer try to run and you hit them high enough that the bumper takes the hit. At least the last two went that way and some old timers around here have said that's normal if you blow the horn.



I've looked at ARB, Buckstop, Ranchhand, Reunel, Ute, Off Raod Tech, Ali-Arc and Road Armor. I couldn't find a webpage for Pro Zap. Can someone please post a pic of a DOR bumper?



I like the Buckstop Non-winch bumper. This is probably the one that meets most of my requirements so far but I'm waiting to find out how much they weigh.



The Ute Bullbar is very nice but I don't know if I want to climb over the grill guard portion of it when I'm tinkerin' under the hood. Also, are these coated with anything? The highway department thinks that sodium chloride is a better alternative to plowing snow and I don't like polishing aluminum.



The Off Road Tech bumper looks cool and is probably pretty light but it might mess up the airflow situation a bit.



The Ali Arc bumpers don't look all that great but I think that's because the pictures on the website aren't that great. I know some of the folks here have them, if anyone could post a decent picture I'd appreciate it.



The Road Armor looks interesting but it sticks out a bunch for a winch. I also recall that a member paid for and never recieved his product from this place.



Edit: I found some info on the ARB which is set up for a winch. I couldn't find an ARB website but I'd like more info.



OK, guys (and girls) let rip with the recommendations!

 

[DHayden]

I only have experience with the Buckstop. I think it looks good, it has a grille guard which I like because why take the chance? I dont want to replace grills and hoods and radiators. My luck these would all be shot in an impact so hopefully the Buckstop with grille guard would save me some DOE down the ROAD (I kill myself). It is heavey though, dont recall exactly but I think around 200 pounds. Weight or its shape has made no difference in my fuel economy. With these trucks wind resistance has way more impact of mileage than weight does. Good luck, hope you find the one you like.



PS They even painted mine to match my truck since I have a sport. Pics in my readers rig gallery. Oh ya and I have tow hooks.

 

[Canadian Cummins]

Try this for the ARB web site.

www.arb.com.au

They are an Aussie bunch down under!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I helped a dude put on a Ute... it was built very nice.



Road Armor is having issues with paint/powder coating lately... and they're insanely priced.



Aluminum is a good choice if it wasn't for that nasty white corrosion that happens after a while.



I like stainless... if the person doing the fabrication knows what they're doing, they'll look great and require very little (if anything) to keep 'em up.



Matt

 

[Silver_Ram]

Try www.arbusa.com, it's the US website for ARB.



Troy

 

[hammersley]

My buckstop has made no difference that I

can detect in mileage... ... ... ... ... bets bumper on the market IMO... .

 

[CStewart]

Buckstop

I really like my Buckstop bumpers I got in the last group buy. They were easy to deal with on the phone, the product quality is excellent, and were VERY well packaged. They are a very stout bumper and it fit my truck perfectly. I believe one or two people on the TDR have been in vehicle accidents with them and have had no damage to there trucks. I think the brush guard is good insurance. If I couldn't see just a little bit of the brush guard above the hood I would never know it was on the truck milage and drivability wise.



Chris

 

[McCRam]

Your right. the ali arc website does not do that bumper justice. There are a few rigs around here that have them, and I think they look very good. They weigh about 85 lbs from what the dealer told me. He also said that they will bend a bit when you hit a deer, but that they can be easily repaired. WHen I get mine, it will be the aliarc or the buckstop.

 

[Hammer]

How about this one for your truck. Its a killer looking bumper and light is the word for a bumper of that size.



http://offroadalloys.com/ORA/index-dodge.cfm



Front Bumper with brushgaurd weighs in at only 140lb and the rear is a light 40lbs... ... . Andy

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Prices start at ~$3300 for those, Andy. They're SWEET, though.



Check out the side steps... talk about NICE (~$2000)!!



Matt

 

[Extreme1]

Thanks for the info.



Nice bumper Hammer! $3,200 is a little high but it it is pretty.



Does anyone have a good pic of a Ali Arc?



I found another one:Herd I didn't see anything for pickups on their website but I did find a picture here. This one looks a little pricey too but it is pretty.



Has anyone had any problems because the turn signals are blocked by the brush guards on some of these? I See that the Ute has auxillary lights to fix that but the Buckstop and the Herd seem to cover it pretty well.



Unfortunately the "prefered" bodyshop claims that the bumper is OK, it only needs the covers and to be realigned so my insurance check won't be as big as I'd like. But I wasn't stuck on highway 2 in the UP at 3:30 am on the way to Canada so I shouldn't complain too much.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Reunel offers 3/16" mild steel or stainless, and 1/4" mild steel. You don't need the space for a winch now, but maybe later and then you would be set up for it. They would need you to tell them what winch (Warn only) to set up for. The Warn M12000 is a reasonable value ($/capacity), for example, if you want to add it later.