Adding lights/bar on a budget.

[sxharr05]

Seeing as how at the moment a Ranch Hand/Alien/Road Armor/FF bumper is out of the question, what would be a good suggestion for adding lights to the front of my Ram? I've been eyeing the Randy Ellis bar for some time, but I'm debating whether or not I'll need some more protection for the front end. Most of where I'll be driving it, aside from daily duty, will likely be fireroads and trails leading to campsites or fishing holes. Not MUCH need for potection but some may certainly be needed. Would a typical grill/brush gaurd do the trick? How about a "bull bar" (though not a big fan of them)? I've been checking Craigslist locally and what IS there either isn't worth the asking price or is trashed. Let's see what you've all got and what you have to say about them.

Also, I've considered mounting light directly to the top of the bumper but I'm thinking I'd have a hard time with opening and closing the hood since the grill goes along for the ride.

 

[jeeper92]

this is one cheap add on

Heres something from the jeep forum that i will be adding to my jeep and my trailer
look about half way down, its a light bar
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f46/i-did-________-100-less-778854/index2.html

 

[Hilldweller]

You might find a bar better in the full-sized truck area.
I'm a fan of full bumpers rather than bars --- if you're actually going to ever need them, that is.

As for lights, what do you want them to do?
Offroad only and god-light, fog, supplement to highbeam?

 

[chasespeed]

For PROTECTION, be ready to spend around a grand....

I have seen brush guards fold back on the hood, wrap around into fenders, etc, causing quite a bit more damage than would have occurred otherwise.

You could mount some lights behind the grill,

Or, mount them behind the bumper, with little work...

Just my 2 cents....

Chase

 

[sxharr05]

That was probably my biggest concern with the brushgaurd, Chase. Considering I don't have a grand to spend on a bumper perhaps the RED bar would be best in the interim.

Thanks for the input.

 

[chasespeed]

You have lots of options, and many of them dont cost much. I like the stuff from Randy Ellis.

I wouldnt worry too much about damage to your lights from brush and what not... I built a bumper for mine, no light protection, and havent had a problem yet, though, in truth, I have thought about it....

In the case of the brush gaurds and all.... keeping a spare set of lights, pilfered from a boneyard, is cheaper all around.

Chase

 

[john101477]

many time the protection for the front of the truck is more for protection of animals. "brush" guards protect what? the very front of your truck as you screech through anyways and the brush scrapes the side of the truck? most grill guards are going to fold up in any thing serious anyways . a simple bull bar or light bar will work for your lights.

 

[4Rescue]

Just FYI, but a "Bull Bar" or a "roo basker" IS a full bumper. a "Full Bull Bar" includes the side/fender bars for knocking over run away/scrub cattle... It's an Ausie thing and frankly they do what they're suposed to. They keep buls/cattle and Roo's from ending up in your cab with you after a strike. I'm alive to prove that.

I'm guessing what you're refering to is a "Push Bar" like a single hoop that attaches to somewhere under the front valance and comes up in the center of the stock bumper like a fat lip... Those can work just fine for mounting lights but the ones like ARB makes are still somewhat costly for what they are and they actualy leve you with LESS aproach angle making damage more likely IMO even on bad roads... A friend of mine has one on her Rav 4 and it's been kind of a nightrmare when she got into some deep, heavy icy snow in a ski area parking lot. Something to think about.

IMO Bars are useless unless you're just pre-running (even then a full tube bumper is a nice to have) but you can get a simple tube with Tabs welded on that'll mount on your stock bumper for now...Think of a single smaller diameter tube that mounts along the top flat surface of your stock bumper but can have anywhere from two to as many lights on it as you can cram on there and make tabs for eh. That'll get your lights on. for now. AND you won't have alot invested for when you CAN afford or ecide you want a full bumper. I know how much it hurts to junk pieces you paid good money for eh.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Prybry]

The cheapest way to go is behind the grill...

If you want to mount your lights and keep them protected and don't have the cash for a light bar.... mounting the lights to the support right behind the grill is another good way to go.

just 2 cents...
Prybry

 

[Ludedude]

A "brush bar," more commonly known as a damage doubler, is a style accessory and nothing more. The bumper vs light bar argument however needs to be settled by determining your true need. If your needs can be satisfied with a light bar, then Defiant makes some nice ones.

http://defianttruckproducts.com/

 

[sxharr05]

See, THIS ^^^ is why I posted here. Many knowledgeable and experienced users to gain information from. I sort of figured the "brush guards" were more of a fashion statement, but I wasn't sure if there was a better quality one I was missing.

4Rescue, thanks for schooling me on the terminology and it's roots.

Prybry, good idea though it'll take some fabricating as the second gen Rams don't really have a suitable brace or bracket. They are situated below the top surface of the bumper.

Ludedude, thanks for the link. And the chuckle at "damage doubler", though I'm sure I wouldn't be chuckling had I just gone ahead and added one.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

 

[john101477]

Some other companies sell what they call a bull bar that is basically a hoop. Westin for one makes one. IMO they are about as useful as the brush guards. ARB makes some to but they call them Nudge Bars