Since the bumper has to be replaced on the truck, I'm looking at getting the insurance company to replace it with a bumper/grill guard unit. Besides, we have lots of deer in the area that sometimes creates a dodging game.
Need some input on what's out there and your experiences with the various types. Pricing would be helpful also.
This is for the 2500.

wantingmytruckbackrealbadShortround out

 

www.ranchhand.com

 

I have a tough country (apache) front replacement bumper that I like alot. Look in my photo gallery.

 

Shortround, I have my factory stock bumper with a Ranch Hand bolt on grille guard. Bout 3-4 weeks ago I thumped a doe that decided to take a quick stroll in front of my 55mph CTD.

Outcome: Deer became buzzard hamburger, air dam on truck needed re-pinning, bumper steel still straight as the factory installed it.

Overview: Luckily I had enough time to center the doe's body dead center of the guards uprights, which put the mass of her body into the tube reinforcements between the uprights. Some deer hair tangled in the expanded metal which protects the grille.

IT MADE ME HAPPY THAT TRUCK SURVIVED UNSCATHED, but sad that deer lost so badly.

Gary

 

Shortround:

Same thing happened to me. The cost of a replacement bumper is about the same as replacing the stock bumper and air dam. You might want to consider having the replacement coated with bedliner material before you install it to reduce the worry about stone chips and rust. The guy that did mine charged me $100 for the coating.

John (DH)

 

The problem I have is that I have a sport model truck. Some of the bumper guys I've talked with don't have them for the sport and don't make them(cussing the laptop keypad). Not sure what the differenc is in the front end.
I'm looking for something in the $750 range so insurance will pay for it. If I had the time, I'd build it myself.(still fighting this f'ing keyboard)
Give me some ideas.

presentlydrivingahalfsizedV6gasserthatgetsworsemil eagethattherealtruckShortround out

 

try www.southtexasoutfitters.com

I call my front bumper the 'hit a deer at 80MPH and clean it off with a hose' bumper

and they will ship anywhere, of course

 

Shortround:

Mine is the sport model also (98 model). I believe the only difference in the front end between the sport model and the regular models is that the grille shroud, and bumper are painted the same color as the truck (as opposed to being chrome) on the sport model and that the grille insert is honeycomb plastic. If you do a complete bumper replacement, the bumper and air dam is replaced by the one piece bumper. If you go this route I would suggest buying the winch mount also as it adds stability to the mounting of the new bumper. The frame member up front appears to be about 16 ga. steel and you are mounting a 1/4" thick steel bumper to it and it weighs a lot - I'm guessing 400 - 500 lbs. Took 2 of us to handle moving it around and used a fork lift at work to put it on. The winch mount is bolted to the frame cross member thereby adding some stability IMO. The downside of the replacement bumper is that if you ever hit something pretty solid, the bumper will probably bend the frame instead of folding in on itself and absorbing the impact. Hope this helps with your decision.

John (DH)

 

I have a question for all you bumper owners out there. The stock splash guards tie in to the gray plastic covering on the stock bumper. How did you secure the splash guards with the new bumper?? I have been having problems with my plastic on the bumper and on my latest trip the splash gaurd came loose and hit the tire. A large chunk broke off. Anyway when I replace the bumper I want to make sure I secure the splash guards well so I dont have anymore problems.

RT

 

www.toughcountry.com/ They have some real nice stuff. Made in downtown El Campo Texas. Can be shipped.

 

I just tucked mine in front of the bumper and they are real secure. If they are hard to bend you might consider heating the splash guards up a little to make them more pliable. If I had a digital camera I would post a picture. Hope this helps.

John (DH)