Vijay Winch Bumper

[ekhunter]

Anyone have any experience with the Vijay Front Winch Bumper for a 1997 Ranger? Looks nice but I have never heard of it and am looking for some feedback on it...how strong is it mainly as I will typically use my winches regularly in the backcountry.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Never heard of them.

@Uncle Gump has one of these on his and seems to like it:

Ford Ranger Modular Plain Front Winch Bumper 1993-1997

Master Fabricator Dan "Tubby" Billig gives you his Ford Ranger Modular Front Winch Bumper. Free UPS Shipping to lower 48 US States. International Available.

affordableoffroad.com

And it is even made in the US.

 

[ekhunter]

Never heard of them.

@Uncle Gump has one of these on his and seems to like it:

Ford Ranger Modular Plain Front Winch Bumper 1993-1997

Master Fabricator Dan "Tubby" Billig gives you his Ford Ranger Modular Front Winch Bumper. Free UPS Shipping to lower 48 US States. International Available.

affordableoffroad.com

And it is even made in the US.

I have looked at those and other similar but the reason I liked the Vijay is that is does not stick out as far. Looks like it could potentially increase approach angle while also keeping a more "factory" look. I have built custom winch bumpers myself before and would likely go that route but for the price of the Vijay I am not sure it would be any cheaper...guaranteed I would over build it though and it would definitely be strong enough!!!

 

[Curious Hound]

Din't know anything about them. If it's made of 3/16" or thicker steel, you could get it and reinforce it as needed in weak areas.

 

[SenorNoob]

Can't speak to that one, but most of the (admittedly cheaper) bumpers I've looked say 11GA if they say anything about thickness. Leaves me to think the others are even thinner...

Interesting that the description says 93-97 but the truck in the ad is much newer.

Vijay Front Bumper Fits 1993-1997 Ford Ranger - vijay4x4

: 1993-1994-1995-1996-1997 Ford Ranger

vijay4x4.com

"The bumper body is made of heavy-duty, high-strength 7/64-inch steel, and the winch plate and mounting brackets are made of 3/16-inch steel."

Correct pictures there and on the Amazon listing as "Veromca" brand. LOL

 

[Curious Hound]

7/64” is less than 11ga.

In my humble opinion, cardboard would be stronger.

 

[SenorNoob]

7/16 = 0.109375
11 GA = 0.119
1/8 = 0.125

It might not sound like much, but it's a significant difference in strength.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could bend the outer portions of that with bare hands.

For reference LMC sheet steel for body work on the Ranger is 20 GA = 0.0375

 

[ekhunter]

Thanks for the opinions guys, definitely helped make my decision to continue down the road of just fabbing up my own bumper. Anyone know of a place to buy plans? I did that with my Jeep ZJ and my Xterra then cut the steel with what I figured would be the best in regards to weight/strength. Did not with 3/16 everywhere except the winch plate/mounts which I did out of 1/2” for my 13,500 lb winch…never had an issue after that.

 

[Curious Hound]

Not sure about plans. I think affordable offroad sells there bumpers as kits to save you some cash. They make good stuff.

 

[sgtsandman]

Not sure about plans. I think affordable offroad sells there bumpers as kits to save you some cash. They make good stuff.

Curious Hound is correct. I think this is a new thing for them but I did notice that they do offer a weld your own option now. Great if you know what you are doing. Not so great if it is your first real welding project.

 

[SenorNoob]

I haven't seen the early Ranger in a Weld It Yourself kit listed anywhere, but have the Jeep stuff. Thought about emailing to ask for a WIY kit for my front bumper.

 

[ekhunter]

Curious Hound is correct. I think this is a new thing for them but I did notice that they do offer a weld your own option now. Great if you know what you are doing. Not so great if it is your first real welding project.

Thanks, I may go that route but shipping to Canada is expensive. I do have some decent fabrication experience under my belt building an Xterra winch bumper, Xterra rear bumper with tire swing out, and a Jeep ZJ winch bumper/custom steel rear bumper.

 

[ekhunter]

Needed to add a pic of the Ranger now...can't keep the old toys in the spot light. Pic is from yesterday out with a buddy.

 

[SenorNoob]

A Tracker on tracks. LOL