kingofdodge7131

Hey guys. looking at a used 2011 ram. it has these brackets hanging off the front of it. Not sure what there for though. I see that the lower bumper spoiler is loose/broken, and the plastic splash/skid plate on the cooler group is also loose/broken. These are on the front of the truck behind the radiator.
Are they factory?

Danavilla

Don't look factory to me. Perhaps for a tow bar?

kingofdodge7131

I was thinkin plow but cant find a plow that uses them. The bolt pattern seems to small for for towing. Its weird. These brackets are just hanging out. Thwy left the 5th wheel in the bed. But removed the in bed 7 pin connector . Weird

staarma

Look like camper tie down posts to me


Edit:
lol, reread the post. Not camper tie down brackets. I see now thy're on the front behind the bumper. Maybe was a pilot truck once in a while?

Rollin'_Coal

Not factory but my father in law has a front hitch receiver for moving things around the yard and shop that looks similar. Makes it a lot easier to move trailers in tight spaces and also move a winch from the front to back.

kingofdodge7131

Pretty sure its part of the factory snow plow prep group. They are very factory looking

jaybone

Glad you asked... I too have the same brackets on my Newest addition 2011 Longhorn Laramie.. I cant find the answer either. Im guessing the same snow plow prep but my truck came from TX

jopickens

I saw these front drop brackets on my fathers '15 hemi 2500 and my neighbors '14 CTD 2500 but not on my '14 CTD 3500 (which has the snow plow prep group FWIW). I googled all over and have yet to come up with official nomenclature on these odd oem/factory brackets. Anywho - my neighbor with the '15 CTD 2500 put a front mount receiver hitch on it that actually bracketed around/used those factory drop brackets in question here.

2015 Ram 2500 Front Hitch - Curt

Josh

Badunit

"Compatibility Brackets". They make your front end more "compatible" with smaller vehicles in an accident so they don't slide underneath you.

jopickens

No kidding... thanks for the response!
I assume the 3500s sit lower and don't 'require' such a bracket?

Badunit

Beats me about your 3500. If it is a 4x4 it sits pretty high so I'd think it would have them but maybe the crash testing requirements are different for higher GVWR vehicles. If you bought it used, the original owner might have removed them. My 2500 has the snow plow prep group and it has the brackets. Instructions for some plows (maybe all) say they need to be removed.

gofastman

My 2014 4x4 has the same thing, i didnt get a plow kit, but that is what i was told they were for.

Badunit

The part is called a "compatibility bracket". Search the internet for NHTSA "compatibility bracket". You will get numerous hits about vehicles that employ them and what they are for.