KRB

I picked up a heavy duty front bumper and grill guard for a decent price. It probably weighs between 200lbs + but that's just a guess. I can barely wrestle it around.

Now my question is, is that too much to add to an already stressed out front spring system with the Cummins in it? Or compared to what's already there will it even notice?

I could just go ahead and mount it and see but to mount it I need to rework the attachment and I don't want to do that if its all for naught. What experience have you guys had that have HD bumpers?

freight train

I say you send me a pic and if I like you sell it to me
I have nice bumpers on both ends of all three trucks I have. I will say that Ranchhand bumpers are nice but very heavy. Both of my 1st gens are aided with the help of Kelderman air bags. I think that living in Kentucky the first deer or cow that meets you and your able to drive away will make you glad you did. Not everyone is a fan of the heavy duty bumpers but to replace a grille, I/C, rad, and rad support to say the least is an adventure these days to locate. So you have two thumbs up from me

BILTIT

I think it is too much weight but that's my opinion (many people do it so it cant be all that bad i suppose). I run an ali-arc front bumper, ~70lbs all aluminum and plenty strong.

Danderson

I live in Aluminess country and wish I could afford one of theirs or Denver Offroad's model.

freight train

Aluminum would be nice

Jim Lane

I had a tow truck front bumper on my 1 ton Chevy, probably made my 6.2 the equivalent of having a Cummins, it made my truck feel solid and gave me confidence in surviving a crash.
Ironically that truck was totaled in a crash involving a drunk driver, I was rear ended @ 70 MPH.

It would probably be like driving around with a snow plow all year long.

KRB

Now isn't that ironic - the bumper I have is just like the one on the front of your truck only the headlight guards are cut off.

Wish I could afford Keldermans or aluminum...

And yes, deer are the primary concern. I have a nice lightweight winch bumper off a ford but it isn't wide enough. I've thought of taking it to a welder and getting extensions welded to it on the ends.

oliver foster

I have a 400+ # bumper on my '01.
It has out lived my '94 that rusted around the bumper.
Over the years it has saved me from countless $ of repair from 6 Deer impacts, some at 50 MPH.
It has also survived two 50MPH head ons that have totaled the other rig.
Several other tree and slow MPH car impacts as well.
It is worth the extra weight on the front end components to me.
Without it the kid that drifted across the lane at Chrismas would have ruined my '01.
My insurance totaled it, but I just got it back on the road….Thanks to my bumper...

NJTman

In the winter I drive around with 700lbs of plow on the front of my truck. It actually rides better when I do.

200lbs of bumper is only going to make it ride more stable. I weigh 235 and when I get up on my bumper, it doesn't make the front end even flinch. You should, however, address any spring issues prior to putting it on. Take yours out, have them rebuilt, or get a new set. Either way, level the truck out beforehand.

KRB

Hmmm.... maybe I'll give it a try then and see.

Thanks guys,

Danderson

A bumper that is stronger than the truck frame would pass on the inertia to the frame I would think.
Heavy bumpers would be similar to having a Sumo wrestler living on your frontend.

NJTman

My truck rides sooooooo much better with weight on the front end. Granted I've done up my springs, but still. Much smoother ride when the plow is on.

So, if you know any unemployed sumo wrestlers out there that can hang on to my hood facing my windshield, while keeping their mouth wide open, and their naked butt pointing straight ahead (simply so that I could see the road ahead) then I could have a truck that rode so much better..

Jim Lane

How do they stay in place when you turn a corner?
Seems you would have to keep stopping to pick them up.

Danderson

It's a challenge for them!

mknittle

The problem with that is you would always feel like you are driving through a tunnel. But at least you would know the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train