After Market Bumpers

[HotDamnGotaRam]

Are they any good? Reviews are mixed and prices are all over the place. Some cost double what others do. If anyone can recommend a brand that is decent I'd appreciate it. I bought a chrome bumper for the front that looks very nice and like new. The tag though makes me think it's aftermarket. It seems good and solid and the chrome is nice. No interior rust either. Can't seem to snag one for the back and getting tired of having the front one sitting in my shed, so might have to buy a $180 special off Amazon. Ships for free, so seems like a great deal. Unless it's total crap. Some say brackets don't line up. Others say the pad won't stay put. Just hoping to avoid some frustration by buying the wrong part.

 

[diymirage]

You up for a drive ?

I got a stocker from my '17 2500 sitting in the side yard, if you want it

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

Where about in MI are you?

 

[Grams]

OEM bumpers are basically only chromed, heavy-duty sheet metal. Mfr’s are dedicated to saving weight to meet mileage goals. The bumpers can’t handle “bumps”.

Get some H.D. welded-pipe bumpers if you want real bumpers.

My Tradesman didn’t have cameras…so I installed LED lites in the mounts instead. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Li...tVehPlbg3uPmyPu4JXmj0M627DChJtBRoC-k8QAvD_BwE

 

[diymirage]

Where about in MI are you?

Holland, right on the lake, about 2.5 hours North of you

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

I've been to Holland. It's a nice drive for sure, but a little far to go for a bumper maybe. You ever venture down my way?

 

[hunterdan]

OEM bumpers are basically only chromed, heavy-duty sheet metal. Mfr’s are dedicated to saving weight to meet mileage goals. The bumpers can’t handle “bumps”.

Get some H.D. welded-pipe bumpers if you want real bumpers.

My Tradesman didn’t have cameras…so I installed LED lites in the mounts instead. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Li...tVehPlbg3uPmyPu4JXmj0M627DChJtBRoC-k8QAvD_BwE


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I don't necessarily agree with that assessment. My front bumper had survived a deer strike, being side swiped by a kia. My rear bumper (aided by a hitch step) survived a Toyota or lexus or something rear ending it with only minor scuffs just above the hitch mount. It completely tore off their front bumper when they took off and fled the scene. The front bumper only met it's demise when I had someone turn in front of me and I ended up broad siding a Ford focus. Even then, it held together rather well.

 

[diymirage]

I've been to Holland. It's a nice drive for sure, but a little far to go for a bumper maybe. You ever venture down my way?

Yes, but I don't have any trips planned any time soon

A friend of mine pastors in Indy, so we try to swing by and see them from time to time, maybe next time I head down there you can shoot across and we can meet up somewhere...but like I mentioned, that won't be in the near future

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

Sounds good. I'm not in a big hurry now that the weather is getting crappy. Not far off I-65 and can meet you most anytime.

 

[melvingeraldmesse]

My son hit a deer with his 2016 1500. The bumper was plastic. When he got an estimate from the body shop it was going to be 1200 to fix it. I got online and found him a heavy duty brush guard for 1250. it replaced all the broken plastic. Took us about an hour in the front yard to install and just took some basic tools.

 

[tron67j]

One of the downsides to the big steel replacement bumpers is that they change the crash characteristics and the transfer of force to the frame is magnified.

 

[DILLIGAF]

One of the downsides to the big steel replacement bumpers is that they change the crash characteristics and the transfer of force to the frame is magnified.

I hit a deer with my Chassis Unlimited and Didn't damage anything. My 1/4 bash plate and 6" lift also helped...lol.

Im glad I didnt have the OEM junk up front that day.

 

[depmike38]

The only strength to a modern bumper OEM or otherwise is the area between the frame rails where the trailer ball goes if you pull bumper mounted. The rest of the bumper is only marginally thicker than the sheet metal. I had good luck at the shop with Keystones bumpers as well as A.R.E. but that's been a few years back. If possible, check with Line-X as a lot of their offerings have a lifetime guarantee. One thing you can do to keep the backside from rusting on a/m or OEM is before you mount it scuff it up and spray it with a good grade of undercoat that will dry to the touch, just be sure that won't void a guarantee.