front end protection

[mud flies]

hi folks... iwas wondering if any one can recomend(sp) something for the front of my 07 4x4 L11.i was out on some trails a few times last year and whilst having some good fun i cracked the plastic panel right below my license plate in half. I don't smash on my truck hard but i still want to try and protect this area from further damage.also my skid plate right there got bent up a little so i wouldn't be opposed to replacing it with sumthing a little sturdier.This seems like its a vulnerable part of my truck that i think requires additional protection for the type of wheeling i do(trails, mud holes and swamp excursions).i love my fourth ranger and want to keep it around for a while.You wouldn't believe the swamp it went through (by accident).Water over the hood and not even a hiccup. Straight through non stop,20 foot rooster tails impressing the heck outta my friends.wow good fun. Any how ...any suggestions are appreciated..thanks

[jimd1050]

My plastic front cowl was getting beat up too AND I wanted a winch so I am doing this:

http://www.justtruckin.net/images/Bumper/WinchBmpr19.jpg

Bumper was $375 from Custom 4X4 Fabrication in Oklahoma City - I am adding the brush guard.

http://custom4x4fabrication.com/

[JohnnyU]

Looks good Jim! My buddy has a bumper from them on his Cherokee. Very stout, and great quality!

[jimd1050]

Looks good Jim! My buddy has a bumper from them on his Cherokee. Very stout, and great quality!

Thanks - I couldn't believe the quality! The welding is superb, all the edges were ground down and really smooth - the guy has a great product! (IMO)

[Ranger_Boi]

k well i went to the web site and all there were was jeeps so how did u get one to fit ur ranger?

[mud flies]

thanks for the reply jim.that is a sweet lookin setup.and the winch is also right up my ally.i usually go wheelin alone or with a buddy but without the winch i am leary of many places that have the "might get trapped in here look".(i hate walking and digging).Have you looked into how much a setup like that weighs compared to stock?Does it give any protection to the lower rad and tranny cooler and such.this is the area that concerns me between the bottom of the bumper and the front of the skid plate.all advice is appreciated thanks

[mud flies]

actually after looking at the pic closer i can see the bottom edge sweeps back a fair bit.does this cover the area back to the skid plate well? again thanks

[jimd1050]

actually after looking at the pic closer i can see the bottom edge sweeps back a fair bit.does this cover the area back to the skid plate well? again thanks

Actually, no - I am debating whether to extend my skid plate to the bumper but am not sure yet. This picture shows how far back the bottom edge of the bumper extends.

http://www.justtruckin.net/images/Bumper/WinchBmpr30.jpg

As for the weight, it should come in at around 200 ponds with winch and bruck guard. The bumper alone is 110 lbs.

[jimd1050]

k well i went to the web site and all there were was jeeps so how did u get one to fit ur ranger?

You'll have to call Mike - it's a newer version of the Jeep ZJ bumper and he resized the winch box and the position of his mounting brackets to match the Ranger frame rails. I fabricated my own mounting brackets after removing the front crossmember. Mike is working on stock mounting brackets now to avoid cutting the crossmember. Hope this helps!