front bumper opinion

[Cruising Canuck]

I'm in the process of building my front bumper and I can't decide if I should put a small grill guard on it or not.

This is how it currently looks



I really like the looks of the 4plus front. And I would try to mimic that.

Please cast your vote and help me out

 

[Output Shaft]

You need another checkbox above:

✔ It depends

Don't make a grill guard for looks. If you think it will be useful add one. When I am camping in Mexico I find it very useful for so many things. Deer country? Heck yeah. Driving around the city? Not so much

 

[Cruising Canuck]

You need another checkbox above:

✔ It depends

Don't make a grill guard for looks. If you think it will be useful add one. When I am camping in Mexico I find it very useful for so many things. Deer country? Heck yeah. Driving around the city? Not so much

The truck spent 25 years of its life cruising through deer and moose country. I guess it got lucky.
I plan to continue running the truck in the same area.

No grill guard will protect from a moose, but I'm pondering the if a small one will protect against the deer.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

G, I agree with Output ^^...

I am debating making a slide in/insert style for my new bumper similar to the old style BuckStop bumpers had. Pretty easy to do.

I like a bar more for "LOOKS" than protection. Like you said.. no bar will protect against a moose. For that matter an Elk or Mule deer would destroy it too. Even those tiny white tail deer (German shepherds with antlers) still pack a punch at 50-60 mph. A bar IMO, will help "limit" the total damage, but not eliminate it, given the circumstances.

Also the bar is only as strong as one critical thing... The strength of the weld. If it is weak, the bar is a projectile in an accident.

J

 

[Cruzerman]

I've hit several deer with my stock bumper and I sure wish I had a bar and a heavier bumper. The deer here in Oregon are those small ones (i.e. German Shepherds), so maybe your situation may be different. But that bumper at least looks stout and a stout bar couldn't hurt.

All this is assuming you are looking for protection from these critters. If so, I say "Go for it.". I think it can only help.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

as long as it is not a damage multiplier, and it doesn't cut the fuel economy in half, go for it. I say especially for city driving...

 

[klinetime574]

So I put in my vote yesterday, and I kept thinking about it. Then I read more responses.

The bumper you have there looks really good as a clean stock replacement. Minimalist, not bulky.

At the same time though if you need protection from deer, you're gonna need more to that bumper.

So now I'm kind of in-between. I say go for something to the effect of a low bar. Kinda like the 4+

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Since the bumper is very similar. Here are a couple pics for ideas if you haven't come across them. That's 2" x .188" wall on main hoop and 1.25 x .188" on down supports

J

 

[lcwizard]

You mean this isn't simple?

 

[lcwizard]

Since the bumper is very similar. Here are a couple pics for ideas if you haven't come across them. That's 2" x .188" wall on main hoop and 1.25 x .188" on down supports

J

View attachment 1034754 View attachment 1034756

Seriously Jason, you're making me feel insecure....mines only 2" x .120 wall

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Seriously Jason, you're making me feel insecure....mines only 2" x .120 wall

Dave, PURE OVERKILL on my part...and your stuff is the BOMB don't change anything. I just like the thicker DOM for the bars. Weight gain is minimal, IMO as well (1.2# per ft IIRC). OH and I got it for the same price as .120" the last go around so it was a no brainer for me at the time.

J

 

[lcwizard]

I thought it was just cuz you was from Texas....

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I thought it was just cuz you was from Texas....

Nope dropped that crap YEARS AGO... AND SHHHH! That is a dark secret of my past. THERAPY IS FINALLY PAYING OFF.. I THINK?!?!?

J

 

[mcguirejohnson]

Nope dropped that crap YEARS AGO... AND SHHHH! That is a dark secret of my past. THERAPY IS FINALLY PAYING OFF.. I THINK?!?!?

J

J, that hurts my feelings.... Haha. Once a Texan always a Texan.

Mj

 

[iwashmycar]

From a purely aesthetic perspective...no. If you did it would need to be an ARB style one that goes with the classic lines of the truck. Doing the little prerunner smooth angle light bar one just doesnt "work". It does way moreso on those beastly example pics...but on yours with the chrome ect. it doesnt seem like it 'fits'

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

J, that hurts my feelings.... Haha. Once a Texan always a Texan.

Mj

Well... sorry about that. I felt the same way until I left and got to really experience the rest of the country... Only thing I miss about Texas is Louisiana....

J

 

[Cruising Canuck]

I'm kinda suprised how split the vote is

G, I agree with Output ^^...

I am debating making a slide in/insert style for my new bumper similar to the old style BuckStop bumpers had. Pretty easy to do.

I like a bar more for "LOOKS" than protection. Like you said.. no bar will protect against a moose. For that matter an Elk or Mule deer would destroy it too. Even those tiny white tail deer (German shepherds with antlers) still pack a punch at 50-60 mph. A bar IMO, will help "limit" the total damage, but not eliminate it, given the circumstances.

Also the bar is only as strong as one critical thing... The strength of the weld. If it is weak, the bar is a projectile in an accident.

J

My welding skills are poor, That kinda makes me rethink the idea.

This bumper is mostly an exercise in fabrication. So maybe i will give it a go.

And Dave, thanks for the input. I love your designs.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I'm kinda suprised how split the vote is



My welding skills are poor, That kinda makes me rethink the idea.

This bumper is mostly an exercise in fabrication. So maybe i will give it a go.

And Dave, thanks for the input. I love your designs.

G,

You'd be surprised, I've sold more NON-WINCH bumpers than with and more receiver hitch fronts than both those combines. But, all got a minimum of a bullbar.

Practice on a piece of tube and plate. once welded... put it in a vise and beat the hell out of it. If it snaps off after a few hits... turn up the heat, slow down, keep the hood down and practice some more. If you can't break it... REPEAT until you like the look of the welds... If you are still uncomfortable, find a welder at the plant when a maintenance crew is there and have him come over for a few bucks and a beer or two.

You'll get it, just take your time.

J

 

[Output Shaft]

& gotta remember... that the ARB bumper was designed in Australia a long time ago to help deal with a dangerous problem... high speed impacts with kangaroos when they bolt across the hwy. ARB = Australian Roo Bar. When you take a look at that bumper, it's clear that it ain't just a brush guard.. It is designed for serious impacts.

 

[klinetime574]

My post was not aimed at bashing 4+ Products. Dave you make good stuff. I was just speaking to what he is working with. I think everyone knows that. I just want to make sure that y'all know I'm speaking lightly.

A lot of skilled individuals here. And then we have people like me who aren't into the obsession full steam... yet.