Steel bumpers too heavy?

TTN4x4 · 05-27-2008, 11:11 AM

Background: Someone banged into the driver side corner of my front bumper last week. The metal, plastic, and bracket (at the bolts) is bent. I haven't talked to a body shop about it yet but I have a feeling it wont be pretty. I am hoping they can just pull it out but that may be wishful thinking. I wouldn't care except the bottom, rear corner of the bumper is twice as close to the tires as the passenger tire, and with the tire turned far left, i can't get a finger between the bumper and tire. I was thinking if it is over 500$ to fix, I would just buy one of the steel bumpers from kenmtn. Then we'll see what happens when someone hits the bumper

I had two "mechanics" tell me the steel bumper would be too heavy and wear down the suspension faster. One told me it could bend the frame after time (apprently he hasn't seen the commercials haha). I find the later pretty hard to believe, but I could see some more wear on the suspension.

How much heavier are the steel bumpers than stock? What part of the suspension would wear down, or need to be beefed up?

Another option I thought of - PRG mini lift would get me some more spacing between the tire and bumper.... atleast thats what I am telling the wife. I wouldn't think that would wear any harder on the suspension than stock.?.?

**DeadRiver** · 05-27-2008, 11:24 AM

To help with your math:

plastic corner piece 70
oem chrome bumper 350 (cheapest I've seen) up too 500

plus you'll have to get the new corner painted, and if they messed up the filler piece @ the headlight, you'll need that too.

there are a few after market bumpers, keneesaw and buck stop. I think there may also be a third but can't quite come up with it...

the website should have an estimated weight. one of the two listed above required some extensive modifications to fit the titan and had been getting poor reviews due to that. i'm not sure the weight of the OEM chrome section, haven't had mine off yet, hopefully others will chime in.

Bhudda454 · 05-27-2008, 12:14 PM

I built mine with the help of a good friend, it weighs all of 25 pounds or so more than stock. However mine is quiet a bit stronger.

TTN4x4 · 05-27-2008, 01:00 PM

Bhudda454- have any pics? How much did it cost to build it? I live really close to the woodlands.

Bhudda454 · 05-27-2008, 03:01 PM

TTN4x4,

Here ya go....

http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ront%20Bumper/

We built it over a weekend. My buddy has a new job now and he has a lot less free time. Sorry. He does still offer to do them. Cost you about a grand. Unlike the Big 3 as I think of them. You get to discuss and provide input on the end result. He will do as much as you want. Or little. LOL

vilim12 · 05-29-2008, 08:59 PM

Just a front shock upgrade should handle the extra weight, no big deal

TTN4x4 · 06-02-2008, 10:21 AM

vilim- I have come to the same conclusion. I talked with kenmtn last week. The seem like really good folks and were very helpful. Their Wincher model runs 115-160 lbs or so depending on what all you get on it, and the person I spoke with said they had never heard from any customers that had early suspension failure or bending of the frame-- I think that is more a possibility with the cattle guards you see on some of the 1 ton Fords. Ill do some research on better shocks and get that done when I get the leveling kit installed.

vilim12 · 06-02-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTN4x4

vilim- I have come to the same conclusion. I talked with kenmtn last week. The seem like really good folks and were very helpful. Their Wincher model runs 115-160 lbs or so depending on what all you get on it, and the person I spoke with said they had never heard from any customers that had early suspension failure or bending of the frame-- I think that is more a possibility with the cattle guards you see on some of the 1 ton Fords. Ill do some research on better shocks and get that done when I get the leveling kit installed.

One of my dads friends has an H2 with a steel bumper and a winch mounted to it and all they had to do for the extra weight to be supported was a shock upgrade

TTN4x4 · 06-07-2008, 07:28 AM

Well I bit the bullet and ordered it. Should have it in 3 weeks. Ill post pics after install.

vilim12 · 06-07-2008, 11:18 AM

Sounds good, keep us posted, which one did you go with?

bfrosty3 · 06-13-2008, 07:30 AM

Ok - So both of the corner pieces on my front bumper are flaking the paint off. (one of them kind of got its start from me hitting a piece of wood and scratching the HELL out of it, but never the less, I need to know if someone can help me either find those plastic pieces (which someone earlier said were only $70) so that I can have them painted to match the truck, or if you all thnk that it would be chaeper to have them sanded down and repainted?

DunesRunner08 · 06-19-2008, 09:10 PM

The iron bull bumpers are 10x's what the kenmtn are....they look better and are tougher,

0311grunt · 06-21-2008, 10:15 PM

the side pieces are $50.25 each from the dealership and come painted to match already. i have had to replace mine twice already due to a combination of beer, mud, and barbed wire fences. the small filler piece doesnt cost much either but i can't remember exact price.