Remove the compatibility brackets?

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IRSmart

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Now that I don’t need my resistors tied to my compatibility brackets for my LED foglights anymore, I’ve been thinking of removing them. They’re the lowest hanging point in the front of the truck, and I’ve bounced them of their fair share of rocks. Other than their purpose to keep me from riding up over top of someone in the event of an accident, am I missing any other potential protection aspect of them? Are they helping to protect any part behind them? They seem too narrow to really do much, and I’ve just had to keep repainting them every time I go out and slam them against rocks. They’re in the way and I want to get rid of them, but I don’t want to cut off my nose and all that.

For those that made it this far without knowing what I’m talking about, the compatibility brackets are just behind the bumper and hang down to stop you from rolling up on top of someone in the event of a front collision. They are commonly mistakenly referred to as a snow plow mount. Pic (not mine) for reference

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Grand Mesa

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It's probably in your best interest to reinstall them when or if you sell the vehicle.
 

56PW17

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I wonder what insurance would say if you got into an accident?
 

Low_Sky

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Ditched mine a long time ago.


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Grand Mesa

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In regards to the compatibility brackets ever being mistaken for snowplow mounts, both Western Plows product #33886-1 and Fisher Plows product #7191 and 7197 requires the removal of the compatibility brackets for the plow installation on the 2010+ Ram 2500. The disclaimer is to retain them ....per the Ram 2500 and Ford F250 instructions (....for installation if snowplow mount is removed from vehicle...per the Ford F250 instructions).
 

56PW17

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I’m going to use them as mount points to build a bracket for lights in the stock lower valance. I’m not the biggest off roader so i haven't had any clearence issuse like you guys might have.
 

Trailmaker

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What I did to mine was cut them in half and added an angle iron 3x3-1/2 to them. I cut the 3/8 iron at 71” and went from one side of the bumper to the other, bolting on both ends and on the bracket. Now I have a new skid for the winch and a stiff front bumper. I also removed the gravel guard and it added a better approach angle and more clearance.

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Breaker Alex

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What I did to mine was cut them in half and added an angle iron 3x3-1/2 to them. I cut the 3/8 iron at 71” and went from one side of the bumper to the other, bolting on both ends and on the bracket. Now I have a new skid for the winch and a stiff front bumper. I also removed the gravel guard and it added a better approach angle and more clearance.

View attachment 200990

View attachment 200991

View attachment 200992

View attachment 200993

Keep this man in quarantine, he just keeps popping the best ideas!

:rotflmao:
 

Trailmaker

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Keep this man in quarantine, he just keeps popping the best ideas!

:rotflmao:
Well.... let me drive it a few days and report back (I’m “essential” so I still work) the removal of the gavel guard could create a air noise that could be bothersome.

As far as the extra iron goes, it will help on small front bumper impacts. The new brace does allow me a way to add an additional brace to protect the sway bar disconnect.

as far as looks goes, it appears I got a little lift just by removing the plastic.
 

Breaker Alex

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Well.... let me drive it a few days and report back (I’m “essential” so I still work) the removal of the gavel guard could create a air noise that could be bothersome.

As far as the extra iron goes, it will help on small front bumper impacts. The new brace does allow me a way to add an additional brace to protect the sway bar disconnect.

as far as looks goes, it appears I got a little lift just by removing the plastic.

I removed that plastic the first week of ownership.
No wind problems, even with the 37" added later.
And when the truck was at the shop ( you know, trail damage ) I ask them to remove the rear plastic with the parking sensors. Looks great and much higher.IMG_20200405_133041.jpg
IMG_20200405_133016.jpg
 

Trailmaker

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I removed that plastic the first week of ownership.
No wind problems, even with the 37" added later.
And when the truck was at the shop ( you know, trail damage ) I ask them to remove the rear plastic with the parking sensors. Looks great and much higher.View attachment 201027
View attachment 201028
Your right does look great. I did not want to sacrifice the sensors. I considered drilling holes in the bumper to relocate them.
 
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