It is a rare occasion when we use them, but man are we glad we have them. I have the 16.5ti, but I also plan to put a 2-4000 lb camper in the bed. The friend I bought the truck/winch from used it once to get off of a mountain top with 5 feet of snow. It took them almost 3 days. Without the winch the truck would have stayed up there for the winter. It was a worst case when they got caught by a storm.

 

That right there would be the end of that bumper choice for me. If the bumber won't hold a larger winch, doesn't even have tow-hook/clevis mounting points...um...I would question even putting it on a 4x4 (heck - even a 4x2)

I've seen some of their bumpers but only from a distance. They look good/tough but I would go down the Buckstop path personally

Best of luck...

 

Thanks for that last post AKMooseMan. I have been trying to figure out who manufactured my front bumper. I was thinking it was a Reunel. Now I know it's a Buckstop. Yessiree. One heavy-duty bumper. Fits the new Warn 12K Powerplant winches (requires a small mod), has hooks, and a front receiver tube!

 

I have a Ranch Hand on the front of my 03'. It is the Legend Series and can take up to a Warn 16.5Ti winch.
I also have a Ranch Hand rear bumper, and will be mounting a winch behind it with a fold down license plate.
My truck use is mostly highway. However, when I go to Colorado to hunt, I use every bit of the trucks ability. This will be the first year we will have a vehicle with a winch. It will come in handy for firewood as well as game processing.

Front
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Rear