Can someone explain the advantages/disadvatages between a bumper replacement with brush guard vs a bolt on brush guard only.

Also any recomendations manufacturers of either of the above.

I'm also interested in a bed cap any recomendations on this would be greatly apreciated as well.

Thanks,

stack_climber

 

strength are far as the bumper goes. and i can only comment on the ARE caps mine has been great.

Dan

 

There's two types of BrushGuards; Frame mounted and Bumper Mounted. Bumper mounted provide little to no protection, while the Frame mounted bolts to frame and provides better protection in an accident. THe down side to a Frame Mounted is that your airbags may not deploy from a frt end collision becuase the bumper hasn't moved to deploy them.

Complete Bumper/Brushguard assembly it very strong, adds alot of weight to frt end, and is more expensive. You may end up having to install heavier springs and a lift kit on the truck...it depends.

It's personal taste and how much your wallet can afford..

Check out different members photo galleries here for pics.

I have a GAGE BrushGuard and have no complaints....

 

I am going to get a Ranch Hand Bull nose bumper replacement soon. There are many others out there that are just as good I just happen to really like this one and it is a little less expensive.

As far as caps go I have had several ARE's over the years and they hold up well even if they are not treated all that great. I have had roof racks on all of them and load the racks to the gill with kayaks and Mtn Bikes.

 

Ranch Hand is the best bar I have ever seen. I have a pic posted in my gallery.

 

VPI

Do you have a picture of your truck or one of your trucks with the roofrack installed on the bed cap? How has it worked out for you? Anything you didnt like about it or wish you had done differently? Limitations?

I was thinking about doing this for the very exact reason; for when I get to go to your neck of the woods and ride the trails and do a little kyaking.

Thanks

 

The air bag squib is not activated by bumper movement, but by an accelerometer device buried within the vehicle. The stock bumper is merely bolted to the frame in several places. It can be safely removed and replaced with an aftermarket version. The big difference in the event of a collision, is the stock bumper will fold like a two dollar lawn chair while a stout replacement will protect the front end to a greater extent. Many peolple observe the shock absorbers that are behind the bumpers of some vehicles (not on our truck) and think that's the air bag activator. It's not. The air bags deploy based on sensor readings alone and not by bumper movement. If anything, they may deploy in some instances more readily due to the fact that the replacement bumper provides less of a slowing crush factor the stock bumper offers.

 

TNTURBO Hope this has not taken me to long to get back to you, I have been out of town on business and did not have a internet connection. I can get a picture for you tomorrow of the racks. I love them the only draw back is I don't fit in some parking structures. Have a good one.

 

seen a lot of truck with the bolt on brush guard get in little light bump accident and rather than just bend the bumper a little the brush guard used the bumper as a hing and swung back to mash the whole front end up!
GET THE WHOLE BUMPER SETUP, there made to actually do somthing more than look pretty. mine last one was a Buckstop bumper, that thing was AWSUME!! added a bunch to the resale when I traded the truck in to!

 

VPI,

Sorry I have not checked this thread in a while either. I would love a picture or two. Can you post them to your gallery or how can I get them?

Thanks

 

cquestad that is a sweet truck.

 

how does the ranch hand mount?

looks like you remove the tow hooks and bolt in place?

 

LRAmberson thanks!

Agades:

The tow hooks are removed and that is the main mount for the push bar. I did bolt on new tow hooks to the inside face of the push bar near the stock locations. Works good...I got a little stuck in a 3' deep pond before my MT's were mounted. It took two rigs tandem to pull me out and nothing bent/broke.

 

Impressive

I thought the mounts looked a little chinsey
but maybe I was wrong

I was gonna make myself a nice polished stainless one but havent had time and was having a hard time finding the place I really wanted to mount to

I dont want to have the problem of having a tough guard but flimsey mount

 

There may be a little room for improvement with the mounts...but the best starting place I have seen. The towhook location and kicking back under the bumper to the frame are the two strong points. A little 1/2" plate, a MIG, and a can of Spray Paint can strengthen anything.