I've been travelling through Texas for the last few weeks and decided take the opportunity to install real Texas style bumpers. I picked the Tough Country Deluxe front and rear bumpers. I have found tremendous improvements to my freeway lane changes. Here are a few photos:
http://rv-there-yet.smugmug.com/photos/16712437-M.jpg

http://rv-there-yet.smugmug.com/photos/16712435-M.jpg

http://rv-there-yet.smugmug.com/photos/16712438-M.jpg

http://rv-there-yet.smugmug.com/photos/16712434-M.jpg

[QUOTE=Diesel Dad]I have found tremendous improvements to my freeway lane changes. [QUOTE]

Wouldn't you want to get out of the way if you saw that in your rearview?:eek: Nice addition, how much do they weigh?

Did not weight them before the install but they used a small crane to get them on the truck :)

I love the Texas-Flag longhorn!

That rear bumper should come standard on all Duallys:) Very nice setup!

Looks like mine, except I had mine Line-X'd. People do make room for you when you run a pair of these. IIRC, the front replacement was a little over 300 #s.

Where did you get the Texas longhorn? That would look better than what I have in my front reciever hole now.

very nice. I PMed a buddy for this thread. He is considering some like mine but these might work even better on his dually. Thanks for the post!!

I got the longhorn insert from Truck Stuff in Burnet who installed the bumper. I also plan to Line-X but I will get it done back home in Edmonton.

Sure made me realize how little protection the stock bumpers really provide ...

Now, you do know that you will get teased when you back home up north? Most people outside Texas really don't understand the concept. Last summer in Colorado I had people at the RV park tease and ask why I wanted to drive a "bulldozer".

That bumper will definetly keep the truck "drivable" in the event of an accident. I have already had to use mine a few times.:eek:

How much did it set you back? I love the rear bumper but the front may be a little to much for me. I do like their Apache bumper though.

The reason for the bumper is simple -- one small fender-bender would repay the total cost easily. I have had many curious people with positive comments already.

The Tough Country bumpers are clearly heavy and would not be a good choice on a 2500HD IMHO. They look a lot stronger than a Ranch Hand, especially in a corner or side impact.

Be aware that they also add 8 or 10 inches to the total vehicle length. In my case, I am laying awake nights trying to decide whether to use the added platform for more lights or a set of Grover train horns !

The other potential gotcha is that the receivers need a shank at least 5 inches long since they pass through a 4 inch pipe. Did not worry me since I can easily fabricate a short hitch extension for about $20.

Tough Country said that they rate the hitch to 10,000 lbs. and have tested it at 14,000 lbs. Looks much sturdier than the factory hitch, which was removed and discarded in the process along with both of the flimsy bumpers.

That looks real nice, glad to see you will take something of value home with you from Texas... Ya'll come back now, ya hear...LOL Had to....:lol:

The reason for the bumper is simple -- one small fender-bender would repay the total cost easily. I have had many curious people with positive comments already.

The Tough Country bumpers are clearly heavy and would not be a good choice on a 2500HD IMHO. They look a lot stronger than a Ranch Hand, especially in a corner or side impact.

Be aware that they also add 8 or 10 inches to the total vehicle length. In my case, I am laying awake nights trying to decide whether to use the added platform for more lights or a set of Grover train horns !

The other potential gotcha is that the receivers need a shank at least 5 inches long since they pass through a 4 inch pipe. Did not worry me since I can easily fabricate a short hitch extension for about $20.

Tough Country said that they rate the hitch to 10,000 lbs. and have tested it at 14,000 lbs. Looks much sturdier than the factory hitch, which was removed and discarded in the process along with both of the flimsy bumpers.
2500HD and 3500 have the same front ends, so the weight comment is moot. I was not making fun, just stating what people have thought of my front end replacement bumper. Mine is custom built from structural channel with heavy wall square tubing, about 300 lbs.

The bumper WILL keep the truck driveable in the event of a minor accident or stray deer, loose cow or horse. All of my 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks have had a replacement bumper. Never leave home with out it!:muahaha:

Glad to be able to take a piece of Texas home with me. Already generated lots of discussion around the campground.

The 2500HD comment was relative to exceeding GVWR, not the front-end which I know is identical. So far, no ill effects on handling or anything else.

Now all I need is a good set of longhorns to bolt to the bumper -- any offers ?

Cheers.

Not a fan of the front one, regardless of usefullness. The rear one though I like.

What does that rear bumper go for?

No doubt, the rear bumper looks great in addition to offering better protection.

The bottom part of the front bumper looks great -- the top half, not so sure. Bought the full high-profile unit for better protection from deer, elk, buffalo etc. Not that many big creatures left in Southern Ontario, so your needs are likely different.

I plan to get it Line-X'ed in either pewter or silver to better blend in with the truck. I'll post new pictures then.

Anyone else got the impression Diesel Dad doesn't want to tell us the price for that Censored rear bumper? ):h The OEM bumpers are paper thin, my rear bumper is already bent, $750 to replace it. I would opt for this one if the price is reasonable.

I guess I'll do a search on the web and see what I can find out and post it. DD, you ain't getting any kickbacks is ya? :rolleyes: JJ :)

ON EDIT: Diesel Dad, still have that OEM rear bumper? JJ needs one! :help: :D ):h :exactly:

You can check them out at toughcountry.com. Have to call them for prices though.

Before I bought mine, I went to their shop and checked them out in person. They would not budge from retail prices. Wound up buying from a dealer, as he would work with the price.

I guess it is good that they do protect their dealers, pricewise.

I am satisfied, much more than if I had bought at list straight from the production shop.

Before I bought mine, I went to their shop and checked them out in person. They would not budge from retail prices. Wound up buying from a dealer, as he would work with the price.

I guess it is good that they do protect their dealers, pricewise.

I am satisfied, much more than if I had bought at list straight from the production shop.
I'm all for protecting dealers especially in their backyard but what really turned me off on Tough Country and others is when there isn't a dealer for 1000 miles why not deal direct and give me a little break? They couldn't recommend a dealer even close to MN for me but left it up to me to find someone. Freight on these types of bumpers cost approx $150 from TX to MN or west coast to MN like Buckstop. It really adds up quick!!!

Jeli,
I agree with you 100%. This was one of the top 3 considerations when I had decided to purchase mine from Reunel. It seems all front end replacements run about $150-$200 to ship. The front end replacements seem to hover in the $1800-$2K range. Reunel offered the set up paint matched and installed with the price(Another HUGE consideration). Installing a 250LB bumper is not an easy task, mine was 350lbs with Winch. Although I am quite capable, why not let people with all the right tools install it at N/C...?

It is a lot more than just buying the frontend replacement and having it shipped.

FWIIW, I believe the rear bumpers range from $500-$800.

I have a factory front bumper for sale:)
only has about 100miles on it, dealer to the house where i put on my Buckstop.
I was tossing it around between a dealer close to the house that stocked Ranchhand, couldnt get them to answer the phone, return calls or anything, Buckstop was awsome, already had one built and shipped quick

Mine had all the Ranch Hand stuff on it and the flatbed as well - not that I really needed the flatbed, but just couldn't pass this beauty up.

When I look at it head-on, FREIGHT TRAIN comes to mind.... ):h

Not trying to be coy on the costs. It was about $2000 total for both bumpers about equally split between front and back. Picked it up in Texas, so no freight. $1000 per bumper is a lot less than Reunel, Roadarmor and some others even though not as fancy.

There seems to be a long list of fabricators regionally. Someone provided a good list in an earlier post. Freight is a killer, especially to Canada.

I do have the OEM bumpers but alas they were sent back to Saskatchewan with my relatives. Once you've seen the OEM bumpers naked, not sure anyone would want something that flimsy.

Diesel Dad,

No Problem, I was trying to post some General cost numbers. I knew that your bumpers were less in cost for the reasons you stated. The New Warn bumper is over $2K not counting Tax and shipping. I have seen some find it for $1700. Both your bumpers are quite nice and will serve your needs for years to come. Nice secure feeling with the tin can bumpers gone.:ro)

Reunel rear with SS overlay, receiver hitch, and b/u lights was $1100 for me 3 years ago on our ex-Phord.