Just curious why they design them that way now. Instead of extending all the way out to the bumper like they used to, now they stop short, and have brackets that extend out the rest of the way.

bigger crush zone:rolleyes: mine stop about 5" form bumper tip

the trucks have been that way for a while, I dont know about the 92-99 trucks, but all the 2001+ trucks have brackets that extend out.

This is for crash regulations and safety, as Bu said. It is an excellent idea, because wouldnt you want to go jump off a cliff if you were in a 10 mph accident and it ruined your frame (because the bumper didnt have any give and was bolted right to the frame)???? ;)

ben

Yeah maybe, although I hope it'd take more than a 10 mph crash :)
I kinda miss these days though:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=35969&d=1185142972

:D

I wonder about the aftermarket bumpers, Ranchhand etc, how they're mounted?

the trucks have been that way for a while, I dont know about the 92-99 trucks, but all the 2001+ trucks have brackets that extend out.

This is for crash regulations and safety, as Bu said. It is an excellent idea, because wouldnt you want to go jump off a cliff if you were in a 10 mph accident and it ruined your frame (because the bumper didnt have any give and was bolted right to the frame)???? ;)

ben

Most aftermarket bumpers mount to the tow hook holes too so they are more solidly mounted to the frame. When I built mine it mounts to the outside tow hook hole and the top hole for the bumper. Then I put more weld on the bracket that mounts to the frame since stock it has very little holding it on. So theoretically it could still push back on top if I hit something hard enough but is far less likely.