Well, I finally got my new front bumper painted and installed!

Here are some pics:

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1742611/45314184.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1742611/45478683.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45314153.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45315147.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45313992.jpgEdited by: cdhd2001

It looks better on your riding lawn mower. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gifhttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif





http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45313992.jpgEdited by: Max Power

UH, NICE?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

are you planning a trip NY city

You must need timbrens on your front end! That thing looks heavy!

What do you use that thing for?


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/4BF_kidcrash.jpgEdited by: Max Power

Well you could not have made it any bigger....... and whats up with the chrome around your wheel well??? and then stipes on the bumper.... Its kinda like pimp mobile......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif Or is this a joke... really, I gotta know.....

Fugly has not been a word used in a long time... but its the only word that come to mind.. besides ROTFLMAO.....

Max Power, when did you get a F-150 ? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Broker,


Maybe you should contract with him to build you some bumpers for your fleet.... Then again, they would be one of a kinds... and people may figure out who you are...... Remeber those days.... ROTFLMAO...... I think your the only one here with an F150...

Everything is bigger in Texas. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

Including his wife in the truck.....


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

MAN IS THAT WHATCHA CALL PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A HOG ???????http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pig.gif----------WHEW THAT JUST ABOUT TAKES THE CAKE FOR THE PIMPEST RIDE ON THE PLACE OTHER THAN DUHHHMAX'S SNOOPDEVILLE. SO WHEN ARE YOU GONNA PUT THE CURB SCRATCHERS ON IT??????http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Im not sure if this is cd's ride or 2damax's but here it is....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/BAA_snoop.jpg

WAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ UP WIT DA TRUCK FOOL????????????? YOU DONT BE TINKIN TATS DA SHIZZLE DUZ YA?

Be sure to apply for the custom license plate "MADMAX" http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif For some reason the MadMax movie was the first thing I thought of ...

I don't think MADMAXOWNER would fit. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

GEHTTOBUILTPROJECTGONEBAD?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

GEHTTOBUILTPROJECTGONEBAD?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif



I think you should add it to the NutCoast product line up! Along with the nutcoast tranny and nutcoast 5" exhaust.

Well cdhd2001,

I can really respect the amount of effort that went into that bumper. I build the bumpers for the last two trucks I owned, but for this one, I bought the bumper. (My last Dodge made me swear off of building anymore!) I just did not want to work with the geometry of the front end on the new chevy's.

So, I know what you went through to get the geometry right on the bumper.

Excellent job getting the profile & angles across the top profile of the bumper to match!

One of the really good things about a large bumper . . most everyone moves out of your way on the interstate!

BTW, Just noticed as I am typing this, one of the local news stations is showing an clip about how the big bad Texas bumpers kill everyone when they have a wreck with a little 4 wheeler! Looks like they are trying to start a movement here in Dallas to ban the big bad bumpers. . . . .

Looks good CDHD, the wildlife (and imports) will see that thing coming and get the F out of the way!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Well it's different-kinda http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif Let us know how it holds up if you hit something with it! Wished our streets were that dry!

And the buffalos are running scared in Texas.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/17E_CRW_4498.jpg

Are you sure that was not for the front of a train......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Throw Up.gif

Aren't we all just mean! It looks good. Kind of reminds me of that sci-fi movie MadMax: Beyond the Thunderdome.

Well, I finally got my new front bumper painted and installed!

Here are some pics:

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1742611/45314184.jpg

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45314153.jpg




http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/FAZ_wideeyed.jpg

Nah, Sandy Cheeks is from Texas. She'd approve.

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<TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNABLE="off">It looks like a cow catch on the front of a train....I guess they need that in TX. </TD></TR>
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I would like to thank the few people (very few!) who gave positive criticism. As for the “smart-a$$” comments, I guess that shows the difference of opinion between the different regions of the country.

These types of bumpers are very common (and necessary!) in the Texas Hill Country. Even in the city (Austin), at least half of the trucks sport some kind of protection, either bolt on brush guards or full bumper replacements. In the more rural areas almost every truck has a brush guard.

These bumpers are necessary because of the large population of (suicidal!) deer in the region. In many of these areas it is not uncommon for a person to hit more than 4 deer in a year. Most of the areas I travel through I routinely see at least 20 deer on the side of the road in just a 5-mile stretch of pavement.

Impacting a single deer at speeds in excess of 60 mph will total most of the newer full size trucks. This is largely due to the increasing amount of plastic used in the front of these trucks. Hence the reason for people (like me) choosing to install one of these brush guards/ bumpers.

Even with a brush guard, you will still possibly break a headlight, plastic grill, or wrinkle a hood/fender. The purpose is for the truck to be able to impact a deer, yet still be drivable, so that you are not left stranded. Personally, I have lost count of the number of deer I have hit in the past years.

I built this bumper because I did not like offerings available at the time. Most people buy/install a Ranch Hand brush guard or one of the many others that are made similar in design. I dislike these bumpers because they are made of light gauge round tubes and plate. The bumper I built utilizes 4” structural channel, 2”x2”x1/4” square tube, 1 ½”x1 ½” square tube, and 2”x2”x1/4” angle iron. Amazingly, it weighs in at only 300 lbs. (painted).

So, if you look around this site (and others), most of you might be amazed at the number of people who have something similar to this installed on their trucks. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I thought my RanchHand was over the top, I was wrong. If you made it yourself, great job. If you paid for it, sorry, oh so sorry.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif But if you like it that cool.

"These types of bumpers are very common (and necessary!) in the Texas Hill Country. Even in the city (Austin), at least half of the trucks sport some kind of protection, either bolt on brush guards or full bumper replacements. In the more rural areas almost every truck has a brush guard. "


cdhd2001, last year, we spent a week in Bandera, and you're right, almost EVERY truck had a "cow catcher". The highlite of them all was an older Chevy Caprice with one, about the size of yours!!!


On our way home one night, we almost hit what one of the locals called a wild pig, in the middle of the highway . . . . pig my butt, this thing was a HUGE boar, at least the size of a deer with those nasty looking fangs; it was then I realized the purpose of the grille guards!!!

Well, here's one for you guys!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

You begin to realize that the deer are a problem when you notice that nearly all of the police vehicles and state trooper vehicles have large black steel brush guards!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif

P.S. One of our local state troopers has a mustang with a large pipe wrap around brush guard. The battle scars are readily seen too!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif Edited by: cdhd2001

Yeah, I see that every other car and truck in the picture has one of your bulletproof bumpers...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Do you neighbors actually talk to you, or just give you funny looks.......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif Are you a city boy with a wanna be cowboy truck..http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif








Well, I finally got my new front bumper painted and installed!

Here are some pics:

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1742611/45314184.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1742611/45478683.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45314153.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45315147.jpg
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45313992.jpg

Hey IsurvivedtobePnut'sb!tch, go post some place where someone might actually want to listen to you.

Your only posts here have been to insult.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gifLMAO BRIAN YOURE MY BITCH NOW

LOL... Thats funny... The only insult here, is that you put that god auwful thing on a chevy.... Easy buddy, Im not the only one in love with your bumper.... whew......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

And what does nut have to do with your ugly bumper......





And you have to admit, my statement is true... You are the only one in those pictures with a cow catcher.......Edited by: ISurvivedNMU

As long as you like what you put on your truck every one else can kiss your rear bumper if they don't like it. I agree the animal protection is a very critical need for all trucks that are driven out in the wild frontier. I don't like the looks of the '03's in general but we all have the freedom to drive what we like in this country for at least a few more years. Just my .02

ISurvivedNMU,

Cars don't count. Only three trucks can be clearly seen in my pictures that don't have brush guards (1 white chevy, 2 black fords). I did not and do not intend to go through my neighborhood taking pictures of everyone else's vehicles. But, what you don't see in the pictures are the trucks in my neighborhood that do have brush guards. Just because you don't see them in your neck of the woods, doesn't mean that other people don't have them AND consider them NORMAL for their region. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

Now here's a Texas Truck!!! Eat your hearts out guys!


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/4E8_hornstruck2.jpg

Must be way South Texas.

Pay no attention to the city slickers. They just don't understand anything that's outside of their definition of reality! That being said, I do not care for the chrome on the flares or, from what I can see in the pics, the white stripes on the bumper. Other than that, I love it. That is the best looking, and most practical design I have seen yet. Would you care to share the plans? We have a problem with a member of the deer family up here. Moose. Every year the are hundreds killed by cars and trucks in the valley where I live. I could care less about the body of the truck, insurance will pay for that. That bumper could stop a 1200 pound moose from coming in the cab with you. The hood of the average car will go under the belly of a moose. That's why no one in my family owns a car! Even with a truck, if you hit the moose broadside, it can come right over the hood and through the windshield.

Even with a truck, if you hit the moose broadside, it can come right over the hood and through the windshield. thats what lifts are for http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

When I lived up in North Pole a guy hit one with a lifted truck. The moose went up and came down on the passenger side of the roof. It crushed the roof, killed his wife. I want something that will push it away from the truck, not allow it to go up!

cdhd2001,

I agree . . .most of th ranchhand bumpers are too light. My brother has a trail boss that is 6 yrs old. Top rails are 1" solid bar. Now THAT is strong. I went with a trail boss for my 03 & now it is just like the ranch hand bumpers now. (I call it lite weight tubing . . NOT pipe).

The last bumper I built for a dodge dakota 4dr was stronger that my trail boss is on this 2500HD. I was kinda proud of the dakota bumper, but never again!

Another reason the ranchers have them is for the bump gates in South / West Texas Most of them are made fro 2"+ drill pipe & they will *take* the factory bumper smooth off of a newer truck. (Yes I HAVE seen front bumpers & pieces laying beside bump gates!)

Good luck, & let us know how it survives the first "encounter"

PDS

Oldman,

If you are truly interested in the design, send me a pm. I have the plans drawn up in autocad.

As for the stripes, they are metallic silver. My dad and I used to use that type of striping when we built horse trailers. He always called it "western-style" striping. The chrome on the fenders are OEM parts from the 1988-1998 Chevy c/k's. They are an exact fit for the flares.

Onward!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Hi cdhd2001,


The pics aren't showing up for me. Could you repost them?

cdhd2001, you have mail !!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif AkDually61

I think that thing looks pretty wicked!! I live in the city and could just picture the guys face in the little honda when you pull up behind him at a red light.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Shocked.gif


Dont mind the other guys some people just dont have any respect for things they dont understand or couldnt do themselfs.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_11_3.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_104.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_11_8.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_11_6.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_11_5.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_100.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_213.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)





http://www.smileycentral.com/sigpc=ZSzeb028 (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb028)

Dear cdhd2001, great job on the bumper !...if youre not use to seeing them that big, it takes you by surprise. when we can travel the country, sometime soon i hope, we will certainly be looking forward to seeing these regional interests. the first thing that came to mind was to name it Gladiator ! very fitting for our new style chevies...good luck to ya, bchttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

cdhd2001, nice job ! You're right, Bambi is HELL on a front end !!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif


I've been thinking about putting a Tough-Country front end replacement on mine. I know they use good, heavy material. They are pretty pricey, tho. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif


Also, there is the occasional Bull standing in the road, usually at night! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gifEdited by: Ace_of_Chaos

cdhd2001,


Great Job!!! Some people just can't stand originality. Maybe they just dont possess that trait and want to be just like every other Tom, Dick, and Suzie!? Who knows?


Russ

The pic of that gnarly lookin thing in the residential area with all houses around is great...


Hey, its your truck...If I ever had the option of damaging a vehicle vs. installing one of those, I would probably install one of those...


I couldnt believe how many of those type things I say in texas...Every truck it seemed like. Too bad that most are wannabees...

Hmmmm, what to choose:


http://members.shaw.ca/camstyn/van1.jpg


or..


http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45314153.jpg





I'll take the latter! Looks much better than a smashed up front end.

Ace_of_Chaos,

Give these guys a look. I dealt with them through our "old" welding shop. I haven't looked closly at their products since I quit that kind of work (about 7 years). Back then they made one of the toughest bumpers on the market. I did not consider them this time because they have went to using round pipe in the brush guards and only make the "wrap around" style. (In my opinion "wrap around" does just that, "wrap around" and demolish your fender on impact.) http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

Southwest Fabricators (http://www.southwestfabricators.com/full_bumper_replacements.htm) Edited by: cdhd2001

Thanks, cdhd2001 ! Those are some nice bumpers at SW. They are also closer to my price range ! I may have to plan a little trip to Junction.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

I ate lunch at the truck stop in Junction / Segovia when I was in TX...


Pretty good patty melt...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

for the less enterprising types, checkout roadarmor. www.roadarmor.com (http://www.roadarmor.com)


the picture is not very good


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/F5C_head_on2.jpg

Hmmmm, what to choose:


http://members.shaw.ca/camstyn/van1.jpg


or..


http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL103/634098/1012221/45314153.jpg





I'll take the latter! Looks much better than a smashed up front end.





DAMN CAM DID YOU RUN OVER YOUR GIRLFRIEND OR WHAT???http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif