Opinions on winch bumpers

[CorbinsRanger]

Hey Ranger enthusiasts.....Lets talk aboot winch bumpers for the 3rd gen.....What is offered aftermarket is either bolt together thin steel for anywhere from 4 to 8 hundred cdn or you can order a real mans bumper made with 1/4 " winch plate and mounts and 3/16 plate outer ends. These start at $1500 US bare steel with no options on it. Wow! The modular bolt together ones look good but don't look seem very sturdy. The spec sheet says 3/16 for the center section winch plate and mounts and 1/8 for the end pieces. There is a 3rd option and it is to purchase DXF CNC files for $60 cdn for this bumper. It says it requires "- Most of our full-size truck bumpers will take 3/4 of a sheet of 3/16" and a 1/4 sheet of 1/4" (+/-). There is a local fab shop that can supply the steel, cut and bend it to specs and my bestest buddy is a very good welder. Probably still be above $1000 but at least you know what you have. Here is a link to the finished bumper. Pictures must be protected I guess. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1037402136/98-12-ford-rangermazda-b4000-front-winch?ref=reviews The other pic is the bare metal Fearce for $1500 US

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Steel and lumber were ridiculously expensive for awhile, but has gotten cheaper.

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket bumpers. I think its one of those things you gotta build. Same with roll bars/cages and sometimes even lighting brackets/mounts....stuff like that is better done as fabrication.

Nice bumper BTW, looks solid.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

I'm thinking hard about buying these plans....I agree. Build it you know what you have.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Check out Affordable Offroad... they do some nice work.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

Check out Affordable Offroad... they do some nice work.

Too thin....but they do look very good.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You go over 3/16... it gets pretty heavy. I will say too that the center box is rock soild.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

Either way it will cost $60 for the CNC file to take to the metal shop. Only then will I get an estimate on the material cost and the Plasma table time.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

IMO 1/4" is overkill if it has much effort put into the design.

The frame you are going to bolt it to barely 3/16"

 

[Roert42]

I've got a rear bumper from AOR 3/16". I wrapped a strap around it and drug it sideways about 20' through the mud with no issues.
Drug it straight sideways about five feet, and it kept digging in. Had to Jack it up and pile wood under it, then drag then front out. It was sunk up to the frame.


Plus. they are doing a 20% off sale, I think till the end of the month.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I forgot about the 20% off sale... got the email yesterday.

 

[Roert42]

I'm book marking that link regardless, may come in hand for the future.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

IMO 1/4" is overkill if it has much effort put into the design.

The frame you are going to bolt it to barely 3/16"

Yeah those frame rails would fail before the bumper.....which would you prefer? lol

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah those frame rails would fail before the bumper.....which would you prefer? lol

But the frame rails are not just flat plate.

There is more to it than just material thickness.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

I've got a rear bumper from AOR 3/16". I wrapped a strap around it and drug it sideways about 20' through the mud with no issues.
Drug it straight sideways about five feet, and it kept digging in. Had to Jack it up and pile wood under it, then drag then front out. It was sunk up to the frame.


Plus. they are doing a 20% off sale, I think till the end of the month.


View attachment 87640

It's over $1000 for the AOR front bumper with tax delivered to Canada.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

But the frame rails are not just flat plate.

There is more to it than just material thickness.

Box the end of the rails if need be? I agree the rails are the weak link in the chain.