Bumper poll - please read before voting

[Dusten]

I got a quote from dvs today on shipping

I didn't read the entire thread but here's my opinion, for whatever that's worth. Any thoughts given to a DIY weld together kit to save money and able to customize at the same time? I've built bumpers from scratch as well as put together two kits from NWTI (for the 4runner) and there's a huge time savings when everything is cut cleanly and ready to be welded.

Just a thought.

I can't weld.
I don't have the space to park a bumper to weld it.
I have no desire to build my own at this point.

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Given all the other conversation in this thread, I don't THINK this is a hijack, but... I'm kind of liking the combination of style / price / shipping costs on that Avid bumper, but they have never been on my radar before now. Don't see much about them here on Mud, but I did find the intro thread from @Cruiserhiggs Any issues with them, just not the current hot thing ? Feel free to PM thoughts and opinions.

Jason

 

[Dusten]

Given all the other conversation in this thread, I don't THINK this is a hijack, but... I'm kind of liking the combination of style / price / shipping costs on that Avid bumper, but they have never been on my radar before now. Don't see much about them here on Mud, but I did find the intro thread from @Cruiserhiggs Any issues with them, just not the current hot thing ? Feel free to PM thoughts and opinions.

Jason

I found a thread that's a year or two old with a Google doc and pictures of basically all the bumpers. I'd never seen them either.

I have a call in asking about lead time.

Delta is about 6 weeks out and shipping is about what I expected. ~325 shipped to a hub about 30 minutes from my house.

 

[bhsdriller]

This was my solution to the pricey front bumper dilemma. Started with a Trail Gear tube bumper (they're currently in the $600-$650 range) and had another Mud member cut out the top plate inserts to give it a more finished look. Some quick stitch welding of the top plates and I had a fairly inexpensive and effective front bumper. A pre-drilled winch mount and 2" receiver comes incorporated into the bumper from TG, which is nice. I wasn't a big fan of tube bumpers, but this one has grown on me with the functionality and price point. Good luck with the search.

Same here with a Trail Gear, for the price you can't beat it. Have beaten on it a lot.
Think I got mine when they first came out in the $400 range

 

[leonard_nemoy]

What's the point of this thread, you have it narrowed down to two options. Make a choice or flip a coin.....

 

[Dusten]

What's the point of this thread, you have it narrowed down to two options. Make a choice or flip a coin.....

Same point as your post I guess?

1) to get opinions on both bumpers. There isn't much out there on the avid

2) to see if a bumper idea existed I'd missed.

 

[ChaseTruck]

The poll appears to be trudging along at 50/50 - might as well flip the coin...

Can't help with a vote, Slee Shortbus on both our 80s.

 

[ajax1]

I have bump it Offroad I like it has held up well is light, protects the truck good, doesn’t stick out a mile like the arb or trail gear, you can add plate or do whatever you want to it. Mike is good to work with.

 

[gummycarbs]

I feel like my girlfriend has asked me which pair of shoes I like better, and then got mad at my answer.

I vote for classic ARB, because it's engineered to send kangaroos into orbit and absorb crash damage rather than pass it on to your frame.

 

[Dusten]

I feel like my girlfriend has asked me which pair of shoes I like better, and then got mad at my answer.

I vote for classic ARB, because it's engineered to send kangaroos into orbit and absorb crash damage rather than pass it on to your frame.

Only if she said a or b, you chose c, she explained why she didn't like c and you told her she was wrong.


As far as animals, 25 years driving. Almost exclusively in the pnw and I've hit zero deer in my life. So animal strikes generally aren't a concern

 

[LandLocked93]

Almost exclusively in the pnw and I've hit zero deer in my life.

Ok, so use-case matters here. (tho I personally subscribe to 'anything can happen')
As such I vote for the bumper with the most protection for the valence and signal housings from objects thrusting toward and upward as you roll forward.

 

[Dusten]

Ok, so use-case matters here. (tho I personally subscribe to 'anything can happen')
As such I vote for the bumper with the most protection for the valence and signal housings from objects thrusting toward and upward as you roll forward.

I take that back, sort of. I had a deer jump out of a ditch and hit the back door of a government car I was driving. So nothing a bumper would've helped.

Which is why I like the delta. It completely removes them.
I have a brand new valance on my work bench now because I mangled it in a wreck.

 

[Dusten]

I have bump it Offroad I like it has held up well is light, protects the truck good, doesn’t stick out a mile like the arb or trail gear, you can add plate or do whatever you want to it. Mike is good to work with.View attachment 2940891

I've looked at it but like the trail gear, it looks unfinished. Rather than buy a bumper base and modify it, my fab guy would rather start with a fresh slate.

Honestly this is frustrating as **** for me. I had intended to have him fab me a bumper this summer. But now I'm running around without a bumper and trying to figure out which bumper to spend thousands on, when there are like 2 I even kind of like.

 

[BILT4ME]

I've looked at it but like the trail gear, it looks unfinished. Rather than buy a bumper base and modify it, my fab guy would rather start with a fresh slate.

Honestly this is frustrating as f*** for me. I had intended to have him fab me a bumper this summer. But now I'm running around without a bumper and trying to figure out which bumper to spend thousands on, when there are like 2 I even kind of like.

Here's an idea. Maybe not the most popular.

Buy an ARB and install it.

Order a custom bumper from your buddy or whomever.

Remove the ARB and install your new custom bumper.

Sell the ARB.

Or, settle for something you don't want. This way the ARB will protect your truck during that time, and since many still like the ARB (not you) you should be able to easily sell it after the fact.

 

[Dusten]

Here's an idea. Maybe not the most popular.

Buy an ARB and install it.

Order a custom bumper from your buddy or whomever.

Remove the ARB and install your new custom bumper.

Sell the ARB.

Or, settle for something you don't want. This way the ARB will protect your truck during that time, and since many still like the ARB (not you) you should be able to easily sell it after the fact.

Or I buy the avid, which I don't mind and run it until he builds one.

I dislike the ARB enough that I wouldn't install it for free. I'll run bumperless.

 

[BILT4ME]

Or I buy the avid, which I don't mind and run it until he builds one.

I dislike the ARB enough that I wouldn't install it for free. I'll run bumperless.

The only reason I suggested the ARB is because it might be more sellable than the Avid.

But I get it.

 

[ajax1]

I've looked at it but like the trail gear, it looks unfinished. Rather than buy a bumper base and modify it, my fab guy would rather start with a fresh slate.

Honestly this is frustrating as f*** for me. I had intended to have him fab me a bumper this summer. But now I'm running around without a bumper and trying to figure out which bumper to spend thousands on, when there are like 2 I even kind of like.

He will add plate if you want him to

 

[2000cruiser]

I've heard Avid takes really really long these days. Have you considered Trail Tailor- looks similar? When I called it was mentioned the wait was 4-6w. Bumpers - https://www.trail-tailor.com/bumpers.html.

Personally I'll be going with the DVS stinger only front eventually, I just need to tease out all mechanical needs first on my new 80 .

Good luck!

 

[sogafarm]

I just tipped the scales for the DVS, if you can afford the price. It looks like a pissed off storm trooper, and that's cool. Otherwise your overthinking this thing, your going to get what your gut says and nobody else can change that. Just do it already, lol!

 

[Dave 2000]

Ya know.........the thing I find funny about this whole 'big tough front bumper' thing, is that it is placed where you can see where you are going, know what to avoid and miss, as you are in control, and yet the arse of the car is never really thought about until someone (out of your control) runs into the back of you.

Regards

Dave