Mocking up bumpers:
Truck without the bumpers.
Raptor bumper high view
Raptor bumper low view.
Raptor bumper drivers side.
Raptor bumper passenger side.
Avalanche bumper high view.
Avi bumper low view.
Avi bumper drivers side.
Avi bumper passenger side.
I did not bolt either bumper up. Both were just positioned/wedged into their approximate locations. I did not want to actually clip the Avi bumper into the grill because it's a pain to get all the 10 tabs out and with temperatures around freezing did not want to crack the brittle 20 year old plastic.
Avalanche bumper is a two piece: frame and bumper support and then the plastic cladding. I like the look of plastic and the fact that Avi bumper already has fog lights/driving lights which I can easily wire into my existing wiring. I also like the bubbly look. It does weigh almost 20 pounds more than the Raptor bumper and decreases my approach angle more than I would like. I would also have to make custom brackets for the bumper to bolt up because the frame mounting points are different from the Suburban and the Avalanche.
Raptor bumper has that clean elegant desert pre-runner look that's not a bare bones see through tubular nor is it completely covering everything behind it. I like the see through look of the corners where you can see the tires. I know that it will require some modification to fit and integrate with the Avi grill. Bottom of the Raptor bumper also sits 5-6" higher than the Avi bumper and gives a much higher approach angle and front bumper clearance.
Hidden winch considerations: both look like there should be enough room for a winch inside the bumper between frame rails, however Avi bumper might have more usable room.
Hybrid consideration. Another option is to install the Raptor bumper and significantly trim the plastic skin of Avi bumper and use it to bridge the gaps that are created between Avi grill and Raptor bumper. This would also let me keep the factory cladding look.
Decisions, decisions, decisions and more tinkering to come soon.
Stay tuned for more shenanigans!