I have been looking for a Grillguard/bumper. I looked up the Ranchhand site and saw their "Bullnose" replacement bumper.

I like the fact that it is not a full grill guard. My only concern is how far the bumper sticks out. I don't have a lot of extra room with my work bench in my garage.

Does anyone have one of these?

Also how well is the finish holding up?

My wife kinda turns her nose up to these type of bumpers but she doesn't have to drive it. ):h She is calling my a hick. :blahblah:

This makes me want one even more. You know, for spite.:ro)



Thanks,


Mark

you might check out www.buckstop.biz
lots of pics. i saw another guy on here that got the first Buckstop with a bullnose, looked sweet.
just my .02

They stick out forward of the truck a bit, but not too bad. There are several around here. Another brand you may want to consider would be AliArc. These all aluminum units are made in Canada. There are getting to be more and more of them around, in both the full front end replacement and as grill guards. Either way, being aluminum, they will bend back after being struck. It may take a bit of work by a trained bodyman or fabricator familiar with aluminum, but they are really very well built. And you won't need a forklift to install it on your pickup. That's good news for keeping weight down on the front end. Shouldn't hurt fuel milage as bad as an all steel unit, either. The steel bumper may stand up to collisions, but I'd worry what you're bending further in on the frame. At least you can straighten/ replace something on the outside easier than something internal. I first saw them on most of the OTR tractors around here. My son works on trucks and these are the only units they carry and install on the Volvos and Macks they sell. They stand up very well to deer, rarely bending, if at all. When the time comes, it'll be what I put on mine.

BB

:) I'm from where they started ranch hand. I haven't looked in quite some time (being that Uncle Sam moved me to enid OK) But I'll tell you from first hand (well It wasn't mine but I was there) those bumpers ARE TOUGH. 2 of my friends have had wrecks with them. guess who drove away??? all the ones my friends had the finish held up fine. I think they will rhino line them too (but it'll fade)

I know two of the reasons they stuck out kinda far were 1. you could mount quail seats to the iprights (that was always fun;) and 2. if you get one for a winch the winch is hidden up under there. I'm going to go with them once I can get my truck, still just a fan LOL. they are super tough, and weigh quite a bit. One guy I used to know worked there and said they'd use a fork lift to mount the "full" bumpers.

Ranch Hand vs. Deer....... looks like we're eating good tonight!!!

Romark1



if you are looking for a bumper replacement then you need to ask and talk to "Duramax Dually"...his setup is just incredible. I'll put him onto this thread..

Romark1

You have a PM

Jeff

Romark1:

This is the link that has the pics of the buckstop baja mentioned above. There's also a post that has a bunch of links with aftermarket bumper mfgs. I''m thinking the buckstop baja may be the ticket for me...

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23363&page=1&pp=10&highlight=aftermarket+bumper+pics

check out mike330r 's bullnose buckstop at http://www.sandbros.com/mikesride/chevy/dmax/shoot/dmax.htm
i hope he dosent mind me posting his link but i thought it would help out in this situation.

i have a ranch hand on my truck right now and on my last few trucks. it does not stick out that far, but i have hit everything from deer to trees to shamrock(yes the gas station) and not had anything happen to my truck. i love them!

I'm sure Mike330R won't mind the sandbros posting of the truck - he posted more detailed pics of it in the link above on this site - worth checking out if you haven't seen them. i called buckstop - that bumper runs about 1500 w/a couple hundered more for shipping - as I recall.

My only concern is how far the bumper sticks out. I don't have a lot of extra room with my work bench in my garage.
The bumper will move the bench out of the way if needed.

I was just at the Ranch Hand store in Boerne, TX week before last. They had several "Blim" bullnose's out front. Some you could barely see any cosmetic mark. You might wanna call them and work out a deal. They would be great to LineX or rhino. 877-249-5601

Sounds like a plan txguppy. What kind of marks are you talking about? I called them yesterday and they quoted me a price that is exacticaly what a local dealer quoted me. I have a good friend that lives 5 min from that Boerne store.

I like the Ruenel but it is so damn expensive.


Mark

Romark, PM sent.

I have always had ranch hand but the next bumper I buy will probably be a www.toughcountry.com.

I called the Ranch Hand dealer in Beorne. They do have some blems and they are priced at 500. Not sure it is worth it if I have to repaint it. Paint is expensive as well as my labor.):h

I'd say the bumper sticks out an extra 8-10". Plan on heavier front shocks to handle the extra weight if you do any off-roading. On road=no worries.

The Bull nose bumper sticks out 12 inches from the grill. This included the 2" receiver tube that is welded on it.


The factory bumper sticks out about 3 inches I think so there would be about 9" more added

Mark

Well I bit the bullet today and ordered my bumper. Should be in Friday and will be installed next Wednesday. I work Sat. thru Tues.

Was still undecided till I saw a Bull nose Ranchhand on a Chevy yesterday. Only one I have seen.

Now I need to figure out what size lights will fit into the cut outs in the bumper.

Will post pictures when I get it done. ( if I can figure out how)


Mark

I ordered my ranch hand last week. It was the full front end replacement and with a Warn 15000lb winch. It will be here in 4-5 weeks but I cant wait to see it on my truck.

I have a Toughcountry. As far as paint issues mines Line-Xed :D along w/ my nerf bars & bed. No paint worries there.

Hope this info helps!

My truck didn't come equiped with fog lights in the valance. I want to install some in my new bumper.

Should I buy a factory kit of some other like PIAA or KC?

Don't know what size fits the Ranchhand cutouts.

Get some factory lights from www.gmdieseltech.com if you like how they look.

mine has a receiver hitch on the front: