Bumpers and Winches and Grills, Oh My

[dads87]

There are a few things I'm not sure about yet on the Power RAM W150 LE that I recently brought home. Was hoping for some thoughts from the 1st gen crew here. And, don't worry; I removed the hood ornament for now (and maybe forever?).

1. Front Bumper, Warn Winch, and Grill - At first I wanted to preserve the front bumper and winch. Then I thought I would prefer a chrome bumper with the truck's colors (see second pic, post-wash), and it would match the toolbox and rear bumper. I'm not going to use it as a farm truck, but I'm waffling a little on this one. The winch is a classic Warn M8274 (either '76 or '86, hard to tell from my research)--total badass winch--and I know for sure Dad used it in May, 2020. The existing bumper wouldn't look right without a winch. This might be the toughest decision I'll have for this truck.
   
   I already have a new kit that includes the front grill with orange lenses and headlight "buckets." The current grill (the original, I'm pretty sure) has a chrome sticker that is peeling off and looks trashy. Not sure the new grill will look great if I leave the rusty patina on the body. I can replace the cracked orange lenses separately instead.
   
   
   
   
2. Rear Bumper - Replace it or hammer out the damage near the right end of the existing one? Regardless, I'm having trouble finding a new diamond-step chrome bumper that gets good reviews.
   
   

 

[Stoffregen Motors]

You gotta keep that front bumper and winch. Not only is it cool, but it fits the personality of the truck. I just installed a bumper similar to that and an 8274 on a customer's W150. It's the perfect look.

And as far as "pounding out" the rear bumper, good luck. It would be better to try and press out the large dents. Have someone help you hold it in the press and use large, thick pieces of steel to push it back into shape. When they get crooked, I've been known to lift up on them (while attached to the truck) with the corner of a tractor bucket or forklift.

 

[David Vandercook]

Keep the winch and the dent. They look good.

 

[dads87]

You gotta keep that front bumper and winch. Not only is it cool, but it fits the personality of the truck. I just installed a bumper similar to that and an 8274 on a customer's W150. It's the perfect look.

And as far as "pounding out" the rear bumper, good luck. It would be better to try and press out the large dents. Have someone help you hold it in the press and use large, thick pieces of steel to push it back into shape. When they get crooked, I've been known to lift up on them (while attached to the truck) with the corner of a tractor bucket or forklift.

Thanks! I'm definitely wanting to keep the front bumper and winch. I can still return the new front bumper I already received, but the brackets I ordered for it are "no refunds." Might be able to sell them.

Rear bumper...I'm not sure anyone I know has a press that will do that. Sounds like my jury is still out on the rear bumper. I'd rather not leave it as-is, for sure.

 

[dads87]

Keep the winch and the dent. They look good.

Both are looking like possibilities at this point, as long as I don't feel the rear bumper is too compromised.

 

[Dean2]

Bullet Proof Bumpers out of Red Deer will make you a replacement rear bumper to your specs. You may also be able to find a local shot that can straighten the existing one.

Another vote for cleanup the front bumper and keep the winch. Warn still sells all of the parts to fix the 8274, and they have never built a better winch. You can also upgrade them to 12,000 pounds of pull very easily.

I like Chrome too, so this is my 2021 with a 16,000 pound Warn TI on it in a Warn Transformer mount.



My 1996 with a 9000 LB Warn and transformer mount.

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www.bulletproofbumpers.com