I need a bumper

[EZSnow]

Well, as most of you know from my "emergency" thread, my rear bumper is taco'd. I didn't have the stomach to look real close, but I'm pretty sure the receiver hitch is fragged, too. So I think I'm in the market for an aftermarket bumper/ hitch. I looked at reunel, but theres gotta be something cheaper. I'd like to have aux reverse light cut outs, as well as an integral heavy-duty receiver, and a protected place for my trailer light connections.I suppose a bumper could come raw without everything but the receiver, and I could have the holes torched out and have it shot red to match the truck.

Alan- you in the bumper business yet?

[gvlawncare]

How about having a fabrication shop make one up for you. Then you could have them make whatever you like (aux. reverse lights, whatever) cutout. Just a thought.

[chtucker]

The Reunel that I bought was not adequate for a hitch. The bumper was WAY sturdy, but did not have any bracing up along the frame. Also it is quite narrow and you lose any capability to step on it, especially when wet.


I just saw a custom bumper by a company called rockware.net I don't see any pics on their web, but it was darn sturdy. Wrapped completely around the sides and underneath the corners on a Toyota and had beefy light guards too.

I would not buy another reunel.

Howard

[Pelican]

There's another company called Westin (http://www.westinautomotive.com/) that makes aftermarket bumpers at different levels of quality. I had one of their FEY bumpers on my old 350, it served me well.

[wyldman]

I wouldn't use a Westin.I have installed quite a few,and they aren't very well built.The finish ends up peeling quite quickly too.

Either spend the money for a good one,or build (or have it built) you own.

[festerw]

These look pretty tough, optional receiver and built in lights. Not cheap however at $483 plus another $90 for shipping. But it has replacable sides so if you mess it up you can replace each side separately.
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/JandJ_Drop_Bumpers.htm

[Alan]

Originally posted by EZSnow


Alan- you in the bumper business yet?

Too bad you're so far away or we could build something that would be exactly what your heart desires. I'd be willing to bet you wouldn't taco what we put together.

Bunch of years ago I did a tube front bumper for an IH that I had then. Put in a receiver for a stout tow hook, had a cover on top of aluminun diamond plate which was hinged and latched with a hood cable inside the cab. Made perfect storage for jack and tire or tow chains. I approached the owner of a local 4x shop about making things like that and she told me she wasn't really interested, they dealt in custom equipment. Must be she never checked the definition of "custom". :)

[paulsoccodato]

a couple of weeks ago, after a snow event (in the middle of the afternoon!) i was plowing a driveway, and i backed into a gate with my new f-350, i was so tired that i should'nt have been driving. If i had any energy at all, i would've thrown a tantrum.

i bent the bumper a little, so i figured while i had it at the dealer to check a few things, i'll let them put a new one on.

rear bumper and an oil change, $754.35.

I had my tantrum as i wrote the check.

[EZSnow]

tell you what, alan... you build it, paint it red, and throw it in someone's truck as they head out for the symposium this summer and I'll buy it!

2 aux reverse lights
2 LARGE D-rings
the mother of all 2" receivers
a protected recess for my trailer light plugs (7, 6 and 4)
enough meat to keep the frame from tweaking out in a 10 mph "meeting" with a cement light pole piling.

[Crimedog]

Derek- Check out Luverne truck equipment (www.luvernetruck.com) I have one of their chrome 10" drop bumpers on, looks just like factory but bigger, and it is TOUGH! I had a minivan rear end me, and it put a couple scratches in the chrome, and pushed the side forward about 3/16". The minivan needed a new fender, bumper, hood, headlights, and grill! The bumper alone is rated to 10,000 lbs of tow. I topped it off with a Putnam 2" reciever with a 14,000 or 15,000 lb rating (load carrying) for like 180 bucks. It tucks right up against the bumper maybe 1/16" of a gap. DEFINITELY check them out.

[EZSnow]

Originally posted by Crimedog
I have one of their chrome 10" drop bumpers

And you didn't attach a picture... tsk, tsk, tsk

I priced their stuff with my local 'accessories dealer' and they want 265 for a 8" drop in chrome... that's enough drop for me. Or only 135 for a stockish bumper in black, chrome or primer. $37 for the mount kit on either... I think the hitch may have survived. The light plug did not.:huh

I maybe could live with black, but with a red front bumper, the rear might as well be, too. is there anything special to painting over chrome?

[Pelican]

The chrome will have to be removed either chemically of by bead blasting. Paint won't adhere to chrome.

I had a FEY 10" drop bumper that was powder coated on my old F-350. With the powder coat you just need to scuff it and squirt it. I had cut in 4" round rear floodlights using tractor bulbs and a sealed rubber bushing. It worked great! I'll try to dig up some old pics, I custom painted it.

[Crimedog]

All right EZ- here you go. There is still a bit of snow on the bumper, but you can get the idea (maybe if you wouldn't have rushed me:D

again, this is the 10" drop

[Crimedog]

Here is how nice the reciever tucks up against the bumper. A perfect fit.

[EZSnow]

Alright, i think I could see myself getting into an 8" setup. Thanks for braving the cold to snap the pic. Better get to bed, looking like we might be busy in the morning!

[Crimedog]

Are you going to paint it red? I think it could look pretty nice if you did.

If we are going to get snow, who is going to milk the cows in the morning?;) :D

[EZSnow]

milk the cows? yo mammy can milk the cows!!

I think I'm going to paint red, chrome might look kinda dorky with a red front bumper.

[EZSnow]

I don't know if any of you guys have heard of this company, knockamule (http://www.knockamule.com/rearbumpers.htm) Holy poo-poo!! That's some beef!
Only $290 in bare metal with a receiver. Whaddya think?

[gvlawncare]

Looks like a very heavy duty bumper to me. Seems like a reasonable price also. What are the hitches rated for, I didnt see that on there?