'95 F350 CCLB 7.3 4x4 aka Clifford

[R3D2]

I thought it went something like "where the men are men and wildlife is but sci-fi monsters", and it referred to most of Australia? LOL

Pappa's and Seabass' bumpers are Warn Enforcer or something like that, those got dropped from production a while ago IIRC. Can't really recommend you anything as out stuff is purpose built for the particular truck at the particular time and as such gets redesigned and reworked periodically as needed. But I can tell you this, decide how you wanna use your truck and buy a bumper that fits your needs - a low hanging cow-catcher may stop you from rock crawling in the Southwest but you can hit stuff all along the way and won't have to even slow down, OTOH an offroad-friendly high-clearance bumper may make an easy job of climbing over fallen trees and such but if you ********** into something at a decent speed on your way to or from there it could very well be the end of your steering linkages.

Those Trail-Ready bumpers look like a good balance of both styles, they appear to have a good approach angle while still allowing space for a big winch, and at the same time the size of tubing wrapping around the headlights pretty well ensures little damage will happen to them in case of a stray elk. Having a diesel up front weight is also of concern, anything full 1/4" plate will be prohibitively heavy - 1/4" center section with 3/16" wings should work quite well tho, especially with the aforementioned tubing acting as reinforcement.

And I'd say either buy a brand name bumper, or one that's built by a small outfit that has a decent reputation amongst the expo or offroad community. There are lots of shady "builders" out there, so take a look thru Google images and if you find something you like do a quick research on whoever makes it - again, a one-man-band garage operation can produce just as high quality of product as a big full-blown commercial entity, it's usually random shops that caught onto the offroad thing getting more and more in demand these days that set up a website to market a product the use of which they often know little about in real life conditions...

Thanks Underdrive. That helps put things into perspective for me. While I don't plan on wheeling this beast a whole bunch, clearance is something I need to keep in mind. I will be logging some real miles heading west and then north in June out to BC on both HWY and back roads. Up until last night I almost had my hands on a Warn like that of Pappa's and Seabass' but I was the second caller and the guy felt obligated to give the first guy a run at it even though I offered 50 bucks more. Guy had just sold his F250 CCSB to someone in Alaska who flew down to Oregon and drove it back up and didn't want the wincher. Anyways, I didn't make time to call TR yesterday so I will try today. BTW has anyone heard of Tactical Armor Group out of Atlanta, GA area? http://tacticalarmorgroup.com/TAG-B...d-F250-HD-F350-F450-F550-Super-Duty-1972-1998 They look nice and functional but don't know of them and they have about a 10 week turnaround which really doesn't work well for my trip. A quick google search has mixed reviews. Maybe I'll stay away unless anyone knows something I don't.

 

[Seabass]

Those tactical armor bumpers are clean looking. I've never heard of em' but I like the looks for sure. I had a brick nose F-250 several years ago. I made a wicked strong bumper from 10" channel iron and various other pieces of steel. It was sharp and strong. But it took me two weeks in my spare time to make it. These trucks aren't too difficult to fit. But, it takes a certain amount of skill with a welder and the tools to do it. I'd tackle it again if I needed another bumper- I think. I'm a little older now and my time is worth more to me than it used to be. If I saw the right production bumper and thought I could afford it- it might get bought. Let us know what you decide. I don't think you can really go wrong if you are happy. You know what you want better than any of us. Good luck.

 

[underdrive]

While I don't plan on wheeling this beast a whole bunch, clearance is something I need to keep in mind.

Well, yes and no. Remember you're also doing a mild lift and larger tires, that alone will make up for clearances you may lose with a lower-hanging bumper. I'd say just find something you like, if it hangs a bit low no worries cause of the RSK. No input on TAG, I've heard the name and that's about it. I would consider registering on Pirate 4x4 and asking for recommendations there, they can be a bunch or rude ************** but that side of them is usually brought out by the person asking for advice, they would usually treat a newbie respectfully enough if they don't act like a know-it-all (which you don't, but still I figured I'd mention it).

 

[R3D2]

Well, yes and no. Remember you're also doing a mild lift and larger tires, that alone will make up for clearances you may lose with a lower-hanging bumper. I'd say just find something you like, if it hangs a bit low no worries cause of the RSK. No input on TAG, I've heard the name and that's about it. I would consider registering on Pirate 4x4 and asking for recommendations there, they can be a bunch or rude ************** but that side of them is usually brought out by the person asking for advice, they would usually treat a newbie respectfully enough if they don't act like a know-it-all (which you don't, but still I figured I'd mention it).

Thanks Underdrive. I saw some stuff on Pirate and I decided against the TAG; questionable reviews and their turn around time of 10-12 weeks was enough to turn me off. I went with ProtoFab out of Prescott Az. Spoke to a guy there named Mike and got a good feeling; I got the impression he was the owner. Anyways, when done it will look something like this http://shop.broncograveyard.com/RockSolid-PreRunner-Front-Winch-Bumper-92-96/productinfo/35031/ ProtoFab makes bumpers for a lot of folks, broncograveyard included. I got a rear as well. The only thing they don't have is built in lighting but I decided I could hang something if really need it. So for the cost of the TrailReady front I ended up with a front and rear that has a spare tire holder, a jerry can holder, d rings etc. I'll need to paint them when they come but that's easy. Should have them in 4 weeks time. In the meantime I have some nerf bars from NFab on the way and will order up the susp mods soon. Gotta love tax returns!

 

[Seabass]

I really like that bumper. It's strong looking and clean- and resembles the old warn bumpers of yesterday. And that's not a bad price. Score for you!

 

[R3D2]

I really like that bumper. It's strong looking and clean- and resembles the old warn bumpers of yesterday. And that's not a bad price. Score for you!

Thanks Seabass! I'm pretty pumped on it. Question for you- Since I put the 315s on my stock wheels I have noticed that if I am turning hard and hit a bump my tires will rub the leaf spring. I assume this will go away with the SRK or different springs? Any experience with this?

 

[underdrive]

Yeah that's a pretty nice looking bumper, and being rated for 15k winch means it's pretty strong too. Should be a good upgrade for the truck for sure!

About the tires rubbing, actually no, it probably won't go away. See, the RSK only repositions the springs with respect to the frame, but they are still attached to the axle at the same locations. Keep in mind there are different RSKs out there, some reuse your factory springs and some run the longer Superduty springs that ride nicer, but they all sit still as just far away from the wheels as your current setup, so unless you go with some high-arch springs that hopefully move the leaves up just high enough for the tires to clear, chances are the tire rub will still be there. You can use wheels with more negative offset (they stick farther out the fenders) to compensate for that, but I'd probably just get used to not turning the steering as much, it's cheaper LOL

 

[R3D2]

Copy that. Thanks Underdrive. I can live with it, I'll just be careful. Don't want to lift it too much either. I like that PMF kit because it is a 2.25" lift with stock springs.


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[underdrive]

Make sure you order the PMF kit with a front receiver if your bumper does not come with one already. Makes hooking up all sorts of stuff quite easy.

 

[Seabass]

Thanks Seabass! I'm pretty pumped on it. Question for you- Since I put the 315s on my stock wheels I have noticed that if I am turning hard and hit a bump my tires will rub the leaf spring. I assume this will go away with the SRK or different springs? Any experience with this?

Yeah- it's gonna rub. It's the wheels. You buy some dished out aftermarket wheels and they'll probably not rub. Mine rub like crazy! I like it. It reminds me every time that I turn the wheels just how freakin big and knobby my tires are, and just how much fun I'm gonna have packin my camper down some half rutted out muddy, rock infested mountain road!

 

[pappawheely]

you know, you can adjust your steering stops. Two bolts, it will take 5 minutes; no more rubbing.

 

[R3D2]

Ok good to know. Thanks guys. I won't be losing any sleep over it then. I was on their site tonight and was thinking about that receiver and if I need it. You find yourself using it a fair amount, huh?

I'll be honest I do really like the ballooned look of the 315s on the stock alcoas. Beadlocks are sweet; Pappa's wheels especially but probably not going to happen anytime soon so rubbing will just have to be something I learn to embrace.


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[R3D2]

you know, you can adjust your steering stops. Two bolts, it will take 5 minutes; no more rubbing.

I did not know that; thanks Pappa. I assume I could also get spacers that push them out even further if it starts to bother me.


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[Seabass]

Ok good to know. Thanks guys. I won't be losing any sleep over it then. I was on their site tonight and was thinking about that receiver and if I need it. You find yourself using it a fair amount, huh?

I'll be honest I do really like the ballooned look of the 315s on the stock alcoas. Beadlocks are sweet; Pappa's wheels especially but probably not going to happen anytime soon so rubbing will just have to be something I learn to embrace.


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My tires are fairly aggressive- and I know it when they rub. So does anyone within 20' of the truck for that matter. But I hadn't thought it was actually hurting anything. My work truck has the adjusters moved out enough to prevent rubbing- and it doesn't turn as sharp. A little adjustment goes a long way. And it's the same truck- year and all. I'm leaving my expo truck alone. I'd like to get some 16x9 or 10's and get the amazon replacement factory center caps. They clip onto the lug nuts. The oe caps have clips that attach to the wheel. If I got some bajas or wheels that looked a lot like the factory alcoas and used the original looking center caps- I think it'd look cool. Also take out that rubbing. I just need me one of them money trees in the back yard.

 

[pappawheely]

Because my steering linkage is straight, I had to adjust my stops so the linkage does not hit my diff cover. The stops are located where the arrow is pointing. I put new bolts and jam nuts on mine. Yes, my axle seals are leaking.