Body Colored Front Bumper

[gwilburn]

Trying to decide whether I want the body colored bumpers or not... I love the looks, but where I live they spread lots of salt and anti-skid (rocks) on the interstate.

Question: Are the body colored front bumpers just painted steel? Or do they have a "plastic" covering?

 

[chopperdog45]

Mine is painted metal.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Here's my 19' I bought new and she now has 132,000km's on her and I drive it all year long in every kind of road condition and weather.

When I bought her, I had the headlights and fog lights filmed with a clear 3M protector film, and they are still perfectly clear with no drying or yellowing.

I also put a 9" wide strip of the 3M clear protectant film across the upper front roof line with the material tucked into the upper windshield lip and extending back on the roof. This has saved my roof from damage and premature rusting from deep impacts from road debris.

Now, to your real question...lol
My front end is a bit peppered, and where big impacts have occurred from road debris at highway speeds it has chipped and dented the front plastic bumper cover.

I regularly use the factory touch up kit and clean up the front end.

What I should have done is also have my entire front clip covered with the same 3M clear protector film and I wouldn't have any chips and damage.

Regardless, the front end still looks great and is in very good condition for being a mostly highway driver.

 

[TotallyHucked]

Some trucks have painted steel bumpers and some got the bumper "cover" like the Sports come with. They will pepper over time, but you can get 3M PPF (paint protection film) installed to help prolong the damage

 

[Jim BB]

My truck is 2019 Front bumper is plastic and rear is steel ! I live in the salt belt and I drive it all rear round but wash it every week and dry it inc door jam's no rust and touch up any paint chips

 

[stevenP]

As somebody who has had both, chrome and now painted. The paint is kinda fragile. Rock chips and heaven forbid you have contact with anything.... it will show on your painted bumper.

 

[brian42]

Sold mine with 81K miles and no issues with the front bumper. I probably had a little pitting but you would only notice it if you ran your hand over it.

I prefer the look of color-matched so always go that route and have not had any real issues over the years (that weren't self-inflicted).

 

[gwilburn]

Sold mine with 81K miles and no issues with the front bumper. I probably had a little pitting but you would only notice it if you ran your hand over it.

I prefer the look of color-matched so always go that route and have not had any real issues over the years (that weren't self-inflicted).

It all depends on where you live... I talked to a neighbor that has a 2022 Limited Longhorn... he's never getting painted bumpers again, and he buys new every year or two.

Where I live they spread more salt and anti-skid (per lane mile) than anywhere in entire US (Sadly, I have the statistics to back that up). The anti-skid is 1/4" rock slivers that can slice tires (yes, my state is really that stupid).

I'm ever so close to ordering a 2023 Limited in Billet Silver with chrome. My 2014 bumpers have zero blemishes.. I just liked the look of Granite Crystal with the matched bumpers. But I'm thinking it may be too dark for me anyway.

BTW - I have a son-in-law stationed in San Diego right now. Thanks for your service.

 

[brian42]

I appreciate the sentiment.

I went billet silver and loved the color...

 

[gwilburn]

I appreciate the sentiment.

I went billet silver and loved the color...

You did a great job capturing that color in your picture. I tried to take pics of some on the lot, but the pictures looked nothing like the actual color. Even the dealer's pics on the website looked blah.

Just emailed the dealer to make the order. 2023 Ram Limited 4x4 in Billet Silver... 3.92 gears, anti-spin rear, 33 gal tank, chrome trailer tow mirrors, and brake controller. Almost impossible to find that on a dealer lot.
I tow a 28' x 8.5' enclosed aluminum trailer, so the mirrors and brake controller are a must. Loaded it's around 6000 lbs. I don't know how the 3.21 would have performed on long trips.
My current setup.