Questions for DOR

[TrueBlue13PW]

So it's exciting to see vendor participation on the forum. It's nice to be able to reach out and ask questions. So I thought I'd pose this question to DOR being they said they are looking into making Power Wagon specific parts. I've been planing on making a front bumper for my PW for a while but with my first kid on the way being back in school and having to help more at the farm I'm just not able to get time for bigger projects. If our board showed enough interest would DOR be willing to build an after marked bumper that mimics the factory bumper.

What I had in mind is a bumper that is styled to where you couldn't tell the difference from the factory bumper at first look but made out of thicker steel and braced with the ability to run the front valise or not.
Quick detachable bull bar for the front bumper. Either with a couple bolts or pins that allows the bull bar to be removed but leaving the bumper looking normal with the bar removed.
Same opening as the factory bumper for the winch access.
The option for the factory fogs to be mounted on the new bumper or after market led lights.

I would think that any 3/4 ram owner would be interested in this bumper being they could always add a winch in the PW location and don't need a Pinocchio style diesel winch bumper.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I don't know about DOR, but this intrigues the hell out of me!

[TrueBlue13PW]

I don't know about DOR, but this intrigues the hell out of me!

That's what I like to hear I'm sure there would be a lot of interest on this forum and like I said previously I'm sure many 3/4 and up hemi powered trucks would be interested. I'd probably put one on my new 1 ton as well and look into getting a PW winch cradle and winch for it. So that would be 3 sold bumpers already two for me and possibly one for you 04.

[TwinStick]

I'd be interested as well but mine is a 3rd Gen. & as long as it's not $3400. I have always liked my factory bumper looks but it is tinfoil when hit.

I have also thought (for 9 years now) , what also would be AWESOME is a pre-runner style---only SUPER HD, that bolts on between the tow hooks & frame (with say a 1/2" thick plate), curved steel going up to mount the main bar, 1 3/4" tube (3/16 or 1/4" wall) that contours the front bumper out to the sides, with a hoop to protect the grill & smaller diam tube for the headlights.

[djgaston]

Thanks for thinking of us! I hesitate to get into bumpers because we had a rough time with the Road Rhino bumpers we used to sell. They are very time-consuming to build, and without marking them up considerably, it's real easy to lose money on them. The example I give often is that in the time it takes us to build one bumper, we can build 100 track bars or 50 steering kits. So even if I make a decent percentage on the bumper, the revenue lost from not building and shipping our main sellers is what can make the bumpers a negative for us. What killed us before with Road Rhino was how long it took to make and ship them (we just sold them, another company built them), which was out of our control, but people were still mad at us. That company was setup a lot better than we are for building bumpers. To duplicate the stock bumper, I would have to buy some new equipment so we could roll the sheet metal rather than brake it. If you look at the AEV bumper, that's all press-formed, so even more money on equipment to duplicate that look. Realistically I'm looking at a pretty large investment just to have the equipment, then hiring one or two more people to build them that way. We already have 3 full time positions open that we're trying to fill just to keep up with what we have going on. We got away from the extra stuff and just started focusing on suspension and steering a couple of years ago, and it's been a good move for us. It's hard to be everything to everyone.

If we built a simple bumper that had brakes instead of rolls, then that is very doable and I've already got some ideas for that. We had a customer with a 2nd gen who had a one-off bumper on his truck. It looks great, very basic, and the winch was built in without the bumper sticking out. With the PW cradle, it would be very easy to do. It was a high clearance bumper, meaning it didn't hang down as far in front of the tires. I think that would be very beneficial for everyone here - it's mandatory on my wheeling rigs. So depending on how "stock" you want it to look, we might be able to come up with something that checks the rest of your boxes, but it would be at least a few months before we can start on them. But we can talk about the design and get that stuff hammered out in advance.

Tube bumpers aren't hard. We have made a few of those here for different rigs. Curved 1/2" steel is an issue for us, but the rest wouldn't be a problem at all.

[TrueBlue13PW]

Thanks for thinking of us! I hesitate to get into bumpers because we had a rough time with the Road Rhino bumpers we used to sell. They are very time-consuming to build, and without marking them up considerably, it's real easy to lose money on them. The example I give often is that in the time it takes us to build one bumper, we can build 100 track bars or 50 steering kits. So even if I make a decent percentage on the bumper, the revenue lost from not building and shipping our main sellers is what can make the bumpers a negative for us. What killed us before with Road Rhino was how long it took to make and ship them (we just sold them, another company built them), which was out of our control, but people were still mad at us. That company was setup a lot better than we are for building bumpers. To duplicate the stock bumper, I would have to buy some new equipment so we could roll the sheet metal rather than brake it. If you look at the AEV bumper, that's all press-formed, so even more money on equipment to duplicate that look. Realistically I'm looking at a pretty large investment just to have the equipment, then hiring one or two more people to build them that way. We already have 3 full time positions open that we're trying to fill just to keep up with what we have going on. We got away from the extra stuff and just started focusing on suspension and steering a couple of years ago, and it's been a good move for us. It's hard to be everything to everyone.

If we built a simple bumper that had brakes instead of rolls, then that is very doable and I've already got some ideas for that. We had a customer with a 2nd gen who had a one-off bumper on his truck. It looks great, very basic, and the winch was built in without the bumper sticking out. With the PW cradle, it would be very easy to do. It was a high clearance bumper, meaning it didn't hang down as far in front of the tires. I think that would be very beneficial for everyone here - it's mandatory on my wheeling rigs. So depending on how "stock" you want it to look, we might be able to come up with something that checks the rest of your boxes, but it would be at least a few months before we can start on them. But we can talk about the design and get that stuff hammered out in advance.

Tube bumpers aren't hard. We have made a few of those here for different rigs. Curved 1/2" steel is an issue for us, but the rest wouldn't be a problem at all.

Thanks for replying my hope for this thread is not only for my questions but the others of this board to have a way of letting you know our specific interest. Having it completely mimic the factory bumper was more of something I was going to do when I planned on building it myself. Unfortunately I don't have the time to get into a project like that now and won't for a while. I think the biggest thing I want from an aftermarket bumper is to be designed for the power wagon in which I mean I don't want my winch to move from where it is. I don't want a bumper that sticks out I want it stream lined like the factory with better clearance than factory but I don't want one that doesn't cover the front tires at all like some of the high clearance bumpers. I have some designs in mind and being I have a little time this week being it's spring break I might get some of them drawn up in omnigraffle. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this and I understand that it may not interest you being it is like you say a very time consuming part with little reward.

[Cactus Red]

With DOR's reply, that let's me recommend you to Evan at Backwoods Bumper. They have built stuff for several of us.

http://backwoodsbumpers.com/

Socialism: A stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.

[olyelr]

That is a sweet bumper right there!

http://backwoodsbumpers.com/wp-content/ ... 00x350.jpg

Wonder how it would work with the winch?

[olyelr]

After reading a little on that site, looks like the bumper comes with a winch mount if desired. Pretty dang good prices too considering what ya get.

Thanks for sharing that link cactus!

[Will]

I'm all for a bumper close to the truck like factory, all that's needed for the winch is a slot and a hawse fairlead, I would rather have high clearance. I've drug/pushed the factory bumper a few times...

[Low_Sky]

I wouldn't be too interested in an identical, thicker bumper. I would be interested in a similar style, high clearance bumper. But as DOR said, the dies alone for a stamped bumper would cost in the tens of thousands, then he'd need a press big enough to stamp them. For the volume they could sell, I think we would sooner see DOR selling Prius accessories


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[Reloaderguy]

I'm not interested in a Bro-Dozer bumper, if I buy a bumper it needs to give me some added benefit over OEM besides looks. Ground clearance and protection are the top of the list. The Mercenary bumper is the only one so far. Maybe ADD but theirs is only rated for a 10K winch.

[adeluca73]

I'm not interested in a Bro-Dozer bumper, if I buy a bumper it needs to give me some added benefit over OEM besides looks. Ground clearance and protection are the top of the list. The Mercenary is the only bumper is the only one so far. Maybe ADD but theirs is only rated for a 10K winch.

I think Aluminess is actually the best for all you've stated, but they're spendy. Juday has one, he's been MIA from here recently, but his rig is set up real nice.

[TrueBlue13PW]

I might give back woods bumper a call and see what they can do for me. I understand you'd need a press to make factory style bumpers in high quantity but for a one off it can be done without a press. But again it doesn't have to look pressed I want a bumper that doesn't stick out any further than the factory bumper that retains the stock winch location and doesn't require a second fairlead like aluminess bumpers. I may end up having to make time this summer after planting and make it myself if back woods bumper doesn't pan out.

[Adam_C]

With DOR's reply, that let's me recommend you to Evan at Backwoods Bumper. They have built stuff for several of us.

http://backwoodsbumpers.com/

Socialism: A stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.

Yes, Evan should be hard at work, or getting started soon, on my new rear bumper Couldn't beat the price.....add on the fact that my wife backed my truck into a boulder, and it pretty much sealed the deal....unfortunately the tailgate was down when she did it Sorry for the hijack.

[TrueBlue13PW]

With DOR's reply, that let's me recommend you to Evan at Backwoods Bumper. They have built stuff for several of us.

http://backwoodsbumpers.com/

Socialism: A stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.

Yes, Evan should be hard at work, or getting started soon, on my new rear bumper Couldn't beat the price.....add on the fact that my wife backed my truck into a boulder, and it pretty much sealed the deal....unfortunately the tailgate was down when she did it Sorry for the hijack.

No hijack at all appreciate the information. Did you go with something they already make or get something custom?

[Adam_C]

I got his basic rear and added in for backup sensors, shackle tabs, and LED cutouts. Sent him a set of Rigid flush mount lights to use for a guide. All of the pics I saw on his site were the cube style and I didn't like the look. I'll have it Line-X'd when I get it to match my front end. Still haven't found a front bumper I like so I just had it sprayed to get me by. I definitely like the blacked out front.

[djgaston]

Backwoods is actually 2.5 hours from us, they are over in Fayetteville AR and we're over by Mountain Home. I've heard a lot of good things about the quality. I was also going to mention the Aluminess bumpers, or even a Buckstop. Both of those look pretty simple and don't seem to stick out as far as others. I still think a bumper that utilizes the PW winch cradle would be a good idea, it's just a matter of how fancy you want it built. Simple designs are easy.

[Trouble Maker]

Backwoods is actually 2.5 hours from us, they are over in Fayetteville AR and we're over by Mountain Home. I've heard a lot of good things about the quality. I was also going to mention the Aluminess bumpers, or even a Buckstop. Both of those look pretty simple and don't seem to stick out as far as others. I still think a bumper that utilizes the PW winch cradle would be a good idea, it's just a matter of how fancy you want it built. Simple designs are easy.

Reusing the cradle was a priority when I built mine. I also reused the factory tow hooks.

[TrueBlue13PW]

Backwoods is actually 2.5 hours from us, they are over in Fayetteville AR and we're over by Mountain Home. I've heard a lot of good things about the quality. I was also going to mention the Aluminess bumpers, or even a Buckstop. Both of those look pretty simple and don't seem to stick out as far as others. I still think a bumper that utilizes the PW winch cradle would be a good idea, it's just a matter of how fancy you want it built. Simple designs are easy.

Reusing the cradle was a priority when I built mine. I also reused the factory tow hooks.

Nice job. I'm really surprised someone hasn't made an aftermarket winch cradle that copies the power wagon winch cradle so other hemi powered ram owners could enjoy a winch without a huge winch bumper. I'm not sure how much the factory PW winch cradle is but I plan to find out soon as I would like to add a winch to my new 1 ton.

[whitey]

Just saw this thread so I'd be glad to add some ideas of what I don't see in the market that I would be interested in seeing.
1. A boat side kit for the power wagons. I have most of my visible damage on the lowest part of panels between the wheels.
2. A flat belly kit upgrade. every year I replace bolts under the truck and my skid plates and bars aren't going to last much longer.
I have plans on removing the stock protection, add plating, add UHMW plastic fastened with flat head bolts
3. A smart bar protection box. We have too much vulnerability sitting at a low spot. Mine has been submerged quite a few times and tasted a rock or two. I currently have zip ties and Tupperware keeping it safe.
4. High clearance steering parts
5. steering skid plate upgrade that actually holds up! My skid has been built up to 1" thick towards the center! The original folds up like tin foil. It was more of a rock warning system where I might hear carnage and stop after the steering dampener had already spilt its guts.
I could talk all day long about products but I think I would most want to see upgraded skid plating the most.

[2wagons1driveway]

Those are great ideas^^


Sent from Canada

[Colibri]

I'll be doing a flat belly here in the next few months when I make it in to the fab shop. Thinking aluminum uhmw plastic sandwich.