it all depends on what you are after. I like the look of the stock bumpers, and its nice that they come around the corners some. Most fabricated bumpers look like fabricated bumpers, its a bummer that common people can't afford to have a bumper pressed out of something like 1/4" material. I think that would look the best. One thought would be to have the factory bumper sandblasted to get rid of the chrome, then have the inside of the bumper reinforced where you can't see it, and finally have the bumper chromed to look stock. That would be trick! I have been wanting to do that for a number of years.
The same idea could be used front or rear.
In the front the GM solid axles are very lucky to have the room to mount a winch hidden mostly behind the front bumper. I love this look and I think it is very practical for most people. I don't think its worth adding 100+ pounds in bumper and grill guard to mount a winch. I can dig up some pics if you want.
Go against the grain...build something new and original!
I have welded up a hidden receiver behind the stock bumper which comes through the stock bumper, used a plasma cutter to make it nice and clean. Everything is hidden behind the license plate that is held on by magnets.
My recovery points are directly on the frame, below the bumper. Very clean looking, and no one knows I have winch. The bonus is being able to use the winch front or rear. Have no roof rack either, all tools and such are in the bed of the truck, hidden by a camper shell.
Try to keep the truck as stealth as possible, mainly because I like my vehicles "clean" looking and to thwart thieves.
