Heavy Duty Winch Bumpers

[hodge-xj]

Looking for some real world experiences.

I'm in the process of closing on a house with property and will definitely have the need for a winch setup. Whos using what and how do you like it. The market is flooded with some cheap Chineseum stuff so I'm leery with some offerings as the market is flooded with "winch bumpers" recently as the overlanding craze took the market by storm.

I'm currently looking at some of the DIY MOVE Bumpers or the Coastal Off-road Options as I like the lines of the rebel bumpers more than the standard 1500. Caveat with those is getting free time to fab and finish a bumper project would be difficult.

The Chassis Unlimited and Ironman bumpers for sure have my interest as they're already done and just a bolt on option, which is super appealing with the limited time I seem to have.

 

[Dean2]

Either Bullet Proof Bumpers out of Red Deer. Bolt on, fully customisable, prices are Canadian so you pay 40% less and still no tariffs. (Bumper with a price of $3,000 Canadian, costs you $1,800) Or if you want to maintain your chrome bumper, use what I have, Warn Transformer. This one has a 16,000 pound Warn winch in it. Bolts to the frame using the factory tow hook holes. No drilling required.

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www.bulletproofbumpers.com

 

[Adamcr68]

Either Bullet Proof Bumpers out of Red Deer. Bolt on, fully customisable, prices are Canadian so you pay 40% less and still no tariffs. (Bumper with a price of $3,000 Canadian, costs you $1,800) Or if you want to maintain your chrome bumper, use what I have, Warn Transformer. This one has a 16,000 pound Warn winch in it. Bolts to the frame using the factory tow hook holes. No drilling required.

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www.bulletproofbumpers.com

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I thought of you as soon as I saw his post, your setup looks very strong & like it’s made for using frequently, not just for show.

 

[hodge-xj]

Either Bullet Proof Bumpers out of Red Deer. Bolt on, fully customisable, prices are Canadian so you pay 40% less and still no tariffs. (Bumper with a price of $3,000 Canadian, costs you $1,800) Or if you want to maintain your chrome bumper, use what I have, Warn Transformer. This one has a 16,000 pound Warn winch in it. Bolts to the frame using the factory tow hook holes. No drilling required.

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www.bulletproofbumpers.com

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That looks awesome! I'm gonna check their stuff out now, thanks!

I personally have always like the full bumper/brush guard setups. I was looking at some of the Vice Designs and Warn stuff as well. Lots of guys running the cheap Amazon stuff but I can guarantee I'll twist it or rip it off once I hook into a heavy pull.

Warn

 

[hodge-xj]

I thought of you as soon as I saw his post, your setup looks very strong & like it’s made for using frequently, not just for show.

Yea there's a lot of good looking, affordable stuff that I wouldn't bolt to my truck if you gave it to me. I'm either gonna save money and spend time building it or spend good money to get a bolt on option.

 

[mrack]

What do you plan on pulling? A mere $400 for a harbor freight 12k and hitch mount is the best money you’ll spend imo, mounts to the front or rear of my truck or trailer as needed, with a snatch block and some straps it’ll move anything.

 

[hodge-xj]

What do you plan on pulling? A mere $400 for a harbor freight 12k and hitch mount is the best money you’ll spend imo, mounts to the front or rear of my truck or trailer as needed, with a snatch block and some straps it’ll move anything.

Trees, stumps and whatever else I find needs to be removed from the property as I go along. Won't be able to afford a bigger tractor for a while so figure the truck and a winch can drag things up and out of the ditch, than I can cut into more manageable sizes.

I already planned on an affordable winch. Honestly didn't even think to look at front hitch setups. Gonna go check some out now.

 

[Marshall]

Looking for some real world experiences.

I'm in the process of closing on a house with property and will definitely have the need for a winch setup. Whos using what and how do you like it. The market is flooded with some cheap Chineseum stuff so I'm leery with some offerings as the market is flooded with "winch bumpers" recently as the overlanding craze took the market by storm.

I'm currently looking at some of the DIY MOVE Bumpers or the Coastal Off-road Options as I like the lines of the rebel bumpers more than the standard 1500. Caveat with those is getting free time to fab and finish a bumper project would be difficult.

The Chassis Unlimited and Ironman bumpers for sure have my interest as they're already done and just a bolt on option, which is super appealing with the limited time I seem to have.

If you are moving to the country, being a old farmer, I would keep your eye open for a nice 50hp yard tractor with a front end loader.
Mind you I never had a truck mounted winch, just shop ones. Out in my world , you would never find a tree if you needed to winch anyway.
I know, don't answer the big question.

 

[hodge-xj]

If you are moving to the country, being a old farmer, I would keep your eye open for a nice 50hp yard tractor with a front end loader.
Mind you I never had a truck mounted winch, just shop ones. Out in my world , you would never find a tree if you needed to winch anyway.
I know, don't answer the big question.

I'm already on the hunt for a tractor, believe me! My driveway alone is going to be quite an undertaking in the winter now until I get one to plow. I do have a "big" lawn tractor 28 horse vtwin, 5' deck, that is sufficient for mowing a couple acres and it will pull quite a bit, but it is no replacement for a real tractor in any other sense of use.

I might do as suggested above and just get a hitch setup. Worst case scenario I just pull from the rear hitch and call it done if I can't figure it out.

 

[Dean2]

What do you plan on pulling? A mere $400 for a harbor freight 12k and hitch mount is the best money you’ll spend imo, mounts to the front or rear of my truck or trailer as needed, with a snatch block and some straps it’ll move anything.

Yep, and the first time you make a medium to hard pull and load that 12,000 lbs, or 24,000 snatch blocked, at an angle you will find out real quick why that is a BAD idea.

 

[Burla]

Is it for a 1500 or a 2500+?

 

[Ken226]

I've always been partial to the Ironman Raid bumper, if is for a 1500.

 

[hodge-xj]

Is it for a 1500 or a 2500+?

1500.

 

[hodge-xj]

I've always been partial to the Ironman Raid bumper, if is for a 1500.

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This is one of the ones on my short list.

 

[Burla]

1500.

I have the fab 4's, and if I am being honest I am worried about heavy use in the long term, as it imo is too heavy for the 1500 suspension, perfect for the 2500. Bumper install is fairly easy, I used ropes and it made it rather simple. I like the approach angles and this is very stout, probably 50 pounds too heavy. I wanted an arb, those are literally Great bumpers if you can find one for your application, which I don't think you can. At the time this was one of two or three even available for the 1500, as you see the metal work under the headlights kept most bumper companies away, back then 2500's had all the bumpers available.

 

[Dean2]

I've always been partial to the Ironman Raid bumper, if is for a 1500.

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Looks well built, fairly light and the price is sure attractive. If you aren't pushing over trees, this looks like a pretty nice set up. Only thing is, I don't really see where the winch goes.

Other issue I have with a lot of winch bumpers, is you can't get at the top or back of the winch and you can't easily wrap the line on even because you can't see the top of the roll either. That was a big attraction to the Warn Transformer. If you are running line in and out 15 to 20 times a week, it is much easier to work with.

 

[hodge-xj]

I have the fab 4's, and if I am being honest I am worried about heavy use in the long term, as it imo is too heavy for the 1500 suspension, perfect for the 2500. Bumper install is fairly easy, I used ropes and it made it rather simple. I like the approach angles and this is very stout, probably 50 pounds too heavy. I wanted an arb, those are literally Great bumpers if you can find one for your application, which I don't think you can. At the time this was one of two or three even available for the 1500, as you see the metal work under the headlights kept most bumper companies away, back then 2500's had all the bumpers available.

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You bring up a good point and something I am trying to be cognizant of. Buckstop and fab fours both have full bumpers I like aesthetically. But I believe they are both well over 200lbs and that is not including the winch. So say 250-275. It's not a deal breaker, but it's not something to disregard. My truck is my DD as well so the added protection is a benefit, at the cost of efficiency and payload. Give and get. These full bumpers are all $2500+ now as well which is a big bill in the grand scheme of it all

Looks well built, fairly light and the price is sure attractive. If you aren't pushing over trees, this looks like a pretty nice set up. Only thing is, I don't really see where the winch goes.

Other issue I have with a lot of winch bumpers, is you can't get at the top or back of the winch and you can't easily wrap the line on even because you can't see the top of the roll either. That was a big attraction to the Warn Transformer. If you are running line in and out 15 to 20 times a week, it is much easier to work with.

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I am looking at the warn site now. I do like the open top design for what you have pointed out. This is going to be more of a "farm tool" vs self extraction.

Trying to work with what I have for now. Down the road a tractor and different vehicle are the obvious answers but I ain't found any money trees to shake yet.

 

[Burla]

I wouldnt buy the fab 4's in this market, at the time it was a great choice, but now there are options. I had 2nd year 4 gen, now there are plenty of lighter options and save some dough at the same time. I too bought property in deer country, I can promise you a deer will not total by truck.

 

[hodge-xj]

I wouldnt buy the fab 4's in this market, at the time it was a great choice, but now there are options. I had 2nd year 4 gen, now there are plenty of lighter options and save some dough at the same time. I too bought property in deer country, I can promise you a deer will not total by truck.

This is always a concern of mine now that I'm moving back into the country more. The roads I'll be on during my early morning commute will definitely have deer. My truck isn't worth a lick anymore so I can almost guarantee a deer strike will total it out , cost wise.

 

[Burla]

Get a full wrap and go get some dinner off the road w/o worry.

Texas Deer Strike at 75 mph with a 2018 Super Duty and an Outlaw Premium Bumper

View Discretion advised! This video shows the value of an Outlaw Premium bumper on the highway.

youtu.be

not a scratch...


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