New Rear Bumper?

[Ducky's Dad]

After 13 years, I finally bent my rear bumper backing into a post in the desert near dark. Not a big ding but it bothers me, so I'm thinking about an aftermarket bumper. Looked around online and nothing seems like a fit for my preferences. I want something simple and functional, no laser cutouts of stars or iron crosses or manufacturer's logo, etc. Needs to have a center step and provision for a bumper-mount hitch ball (not for a ball but to mount my light bar that goes under the bumper). If I have to mount rear lights in the face of the bumper, that means new lights and that means a lot more money, so want to keep old light bar with six Hellas on it. Has to have places to mount my air bag schraeder valves where they will be accessible and protected. Must be compatible with factory receiver hitch. Don't need a rear winch mount, but would not rule it out. Prefer no diamond plate, unless it's only on the step. Is all this asking too much?

Truck is an '05, and lots of the bumper manufacturers are only building for '10 and newer, Talked live with Aluminess because they are close, but was not as impressed as I had hoped to be. Extremely expensive, even without shipping, no decent pics available, and they are 2-1/2 months out on delivery. I don't want to spend $2K+, wait three months and not know what I'm getting, but their bumper is only 84 pounds. OEM-style bumper is about $500. Looking for alternatives. Thanks.

[RustyPW]

I'm in the same boat. I want to get rid of that POS fusion rear bumper I have on now. Looking at what's out there. There isn't nothing much that meets my spec's. I may end up building my own.

[Ducky's Dad]

This Fusion? Probably the cleanest looking bumper out there, but the angled lower section and the license recess looks like it will be impossible to mount my current Hella lights. Fitting quality LEDs into the bumper to throw as much light as do my Hella halogens will add about $800 to the cost of the bumper upgrade, unless I go with cheap Chinese LEDs. Waiting for a firm quote from Fusion, but the bumper alone in black powdercoat will be around $1800 to $2K. That's a lot for a steel rear bumper.

What don't you like about your Fusion? Pics?

[RustyPW]

The fusion looks nice. But the is no weight to it. I could twist the bumper with my 2 hands. And their customer service sucks donkey balls! I will never do any business with them.

Here's my thread on the bumper from DT.

https://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showth ... p?t=274069

[Ducky's Dad]

Just looked at your Fusion thread. It's now off my list, looks too flimsy. Thanks.

I'm actually going to call 4WP about a ShittyBilt bumper. Sad state of affairs.

[Ducky's Dad]

Smitty 614800 Fits 2005.jpg (7.47 KiB) Viewed 1180 times

Just got off the phone with 4WP re the Smitty bumper, P/N 614800, fits PWs thru 2009. P/N 614802 fits 2010+. Bumper is pretty simple design, no options, black wrinkle finish (pretty dumb on a bumper) powdercoat. Includes two 3"x3" cutouts with cheap LEDs mounted (replace with good ones), uses factory license plate lights, has center hole for hitch ball, has center step, looks like it will work with my Hella lights. It's made from 3/16" and 1/4" plate and weighs 208 pounds, so should be sturdy. I guess I could live with it if I don't find anything better. On "sale" thru Monday at $999 (regular price) but with free shipping and no sales tax. Not a bad deal vis a vis the competition.

[RustyPW]

Just wonder if it uses the chessy factory mounts?

[Ducky's Dad]

Just wonder if it uses the chessy factory mounts?

So far, every bumper I have looked at uses the factory mounts. You could fab something stronger, but why? Do jacking and recovery from the factory hitch receiver, which is a lot stronger than just about any bumper.

[RustyPW]

Just wonder if it uses the chessy factory mounts?

So far, every bumper I have looked at uses the factory mounts. You could fab something stronger, but why? Do jacking and recovery from the factory hitch receiver, which is a lot stronger than just about any bumper.

The bolts that the factory uses ain't that big for one thing. The factory mounts bend to easy.

[Reloaderguy]

How about a Trail Ready rear bumper? The aluminum tread caps are removable. I think it checks most of your criteria.

[RustyPW]

How about a Trail Ready rear bumper? The aluminum tread caps are removable. I think it checks most of your criteria.

I been looking at that one.

[Ducky's Dad]

I was looking at the Trail Ready before I started watching a football game. Looks like it might be the ticket, but it's only 80 pounds. How do they do that on a 3/16" steel bumper? Any idea on price?

[Ducky's Dad]

The bolts that the factory uses ain't that big for one thing. The factory mounts bend to easy.

Maybe better to bend the mounts so that they absorb impact? The Trail Ready also bolts to the receiver hitch, so that will stiffen things up a bunch.

[RustyPW]

The bolts that the factory uses ain't that big for one thing. The factory mounts bend to easy.

Maybe better to bend the mounts so that they absorb impact? The Trail Ready also bolts to the receiver hitch, so that will stiffen things up a bunch.

Impact from rear hit is different from a off road impact. I've bent the chit out of my fusion off roading and bent the mounts.

[scoutpappa]

The cheap Chinese lights have a lot going for them. Same output, maybe an application of silicone to weatherproof them. I run them and have no issues. Betting the drivers, regardless of manufacturer are all made in the same plant.

[DamageWagon]

The cheap Chinese lights have a lot going for them. Same output, maybe an application of silicone to weatherproof them. I run them and have no issues. Betting the drivers, regardless of manufacturer are all made in the same plant.

No. Chinese garbage is light years behind modern quality lighting. Good quality lights, drivers and lenses are leaps and bounds better. The lense makes a monster difference. Cheap amazon lights puke light everywhere - nice lights like Baja Designs or Helios are way better. For a backup light in a bumper, maybe do whatever you want, but even in that application it’s nice to be able to discern between things. There is zero comparison when you need actually need to see.

[Colibri]

It’s expensive but the mercenary rear bumper checks all your boxes I believe

[RustyPW]

It’s expensive but the mercenary rear bumper checks all your boxes I believe

Hmmmmmmm

[Pit Slave]

I do indeed like my Helios lights....oh wait.....

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[scoutpappa]

The cheap Chinese lights have a lot going for them. Same output, maybe an application of silicone to weatherproof them. I run them and have no issues. Betting the drivers, regardless of manufacturer are all made in the same plant.

No. Chinese garbage is light years behind modern quality lighting. Good quality lights, drivers and lenses are leaps and bounds better. The lense makes a monster difference. Cheap amazon lights puke light everywhere - nice lights like Baja Designs or Helios are way better. For a backup light in a bumper, maybe do whatever you want, but even in that application it’s nice to be able to discern between things. There is zero comparison when you need actually need to see.

My experience with LED lighting is all industrial so Crouse, Appleton, Dialight, etc. I do agree that the lenses do make a difference but as for driver manufacturers they all use similar. My response was more to the point that he wanted to utilize his existing lighting rig and the difference was cost to re-equip if the bumper was changed, leaving the cheaper option a viable (not best) option. Any of the products we are looking at are better than the factory backup lights so I say buy what you can afford/justify and when circumstances change, buy better. You are absolutely correct saying there are better products.

[AlaskaTRX]

I have a Throttle Down Kustoms rear bumper sitting in the garage ready to install when I can find the time. While the bumper looks clean, there isn’t much in the way of reinforcement around the optional clevis mounts that I had him install. So, in that regard I’m pretty disappointed that it is mostly a “for show” type of bumper. I paid more for this than the MORE rear bumper on my Jeep and that is a real usable work of art.

I also have a set of White Knuckle 0.188” rocker skids ready to install and those things are a work of art! The welds are ridiculously pretty, too. Definitely night and day between the two fab shops and some food for thought.

[TwinStick]

Happy with my Fab 4 rear bumper......except the powdercoat sucks & is rusting. Seems strong enough so far.......but i have not dragged it on the rocks either. Been rear ended in a parking lot once first week it was on....no damage....but totaled the front of lady's car. Has recovery points, bolts to rear hitch like factory one did. It does have the Fab 4 design laser cut into it but that is easy to remedy. Just carefully cut a rectangle out around them & install lights in them.

I have the Premium rear bumper for 2008 2500.

[DiazOsos]

I think hammerhead makes a rear bumper that has additional support or extensions that secure to the frame where the shackles attach.

[TankerZak]

Right now I'm stuck on 775Fab or Kinzer front bumper and the ADD Stealth Fighter rear bumper. Best options I've found so far. If I was 100% happy i'd have already pulled the trigger.

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[Easttnrhino]

I am also wanting but not finding a rear bumper that suits me. I wish diesel power products would tell me where they got this one