Ranch Hand Bumper

[Hay Dude]

I finally got it done after almost 4 years of ownership.
Have no idea of the downsides, yet.
Need to drive it to see if there’s wind noise.
I think my MPG’s may take a hit…

But I like the way it looks and I can now push large square bales around and hit the occasional deer without too much worry.

Factory bumper removed and new push plates installed.

The tow hooks are lowered under the new plates.

Mounted
They say it weighs 340 pounds, but I’m thinking more like 250 or less.

 

[Hay Dude]

I want to add the swivel shackles to it right away and plug up those front sensor holes.

Maybe someday I’ll be able to throw a winch on it. I amassed a whole bunch of CC points and wouldn’t mind using them for something fun. Have to see how the rest of the year goes.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Worth every penny, had one on about every truck in last 25 years. And have one on my 2015 f350, 1 deer endless trees and one old buick.

 

[dieselscout80]

I think the only downside is that they stick out farther than the factory bumper, but so do most aftermarket bumpers.

That said they do provide better protection.

I am interested to see what you do for tow hooks that you mentioned.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think the only downside is that they stick out farther than the factory bumper, but so do most aftermarket bumpers.

That said they do provide better protection.

I am interested to see what you do for tow hooks that you mentioned.

You see those two loops welded on either side of the winch mount? I think I might put swiveling shackles on them.

I can still use my factory tow hooks, too.

 

[MoKelly]

If anything, it certainly looks cool! Good job.

 

[Gregster613]

Looks real good HayDude! Hope you "don't" need it for a deer or bear, but it sure looks like good protection!

 

[Wagtail]

Welcome to life in Australia.

That there is what we commonly call a "Bull Bar".

 

[dieselscout80]

HD, can you post a picture from the side that shows how much it sticks out both forward and down?

 

[Hay Dude]

HD, can you post a picture from the side that shows how much it sticks out both forward and down?

Looks like ~15”

 

[Smokeydog]

Factory bumpers are paper thin. Installed a TJM bully bar over twenty years ago. Has stopped a couple of deer, turkey, bumped some bison and thankfully missed a moose. 10,500# two speed hydraulic mile marker winch has be most helpful. Directional pulling trees from buildings, fence rows and roads. Few stuck vehicles and equipment. Continuous duty off the power steering pump. Two speed quickly deploys or retrieves cable best feature. Scary strong like the old Power Wagons,,,something is going to move.

 

[Hay Dude]

I like the power steering pump models, but don’t know how high (lbs) they can go.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I want to add one of these to my almost 20 year old DirtyMax.

 

[Smokeydog]

I like the power steering pump models, but don’t know how high (lbs) they can go.

Milemarker website lists several up to 18K. More than you probably want in front of your truck. Can’t overstate the convenience of a two speed winch for rigging lengths of cable. Tree, log work, fence building VS self extraction. Depends on your use.

Had a 8K Warn hydraulic winch on a SSQA/3pt grapple that was plenty strong. Electric winches near capacity are so slooow and take considerable time to cool between pulls.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’ll check out the Milemarker 18K.

 

[Joel/ak]

We have something similar on our 1 ton. Gotta do some work on it since no towhooks are accessible.

 

[Hay Dude]

Added loop shackles to the front bumper. Overkill with the factory tow loops, but I figured what the heck.
I am adding small LED lights soon, too.

Also took RAM out for a highway ride to see if there was any wind noise. Nothing at 60-65.
I was concerned about that.

 

[dodge man]

I always thought those bumpers were a bad idea unless a truck like yours Haydude. I see 3/4 ton diesels that are already nose heavy and short on payload and you’re just adding something heavier to the nose. In the case of your truck that has a high payload rating it’s less of a big deal.

 

[Hay Dude]

 

[Smokeydog]

Nice looking bumper! Like the front receiver.