Advice needed for brush/grill guard front replacement bumper winch ready

[seeNik48]

We have been agonizing over this for over a year. We are not sure if one option would be overkill or inadequate. We have decided on the Ranch Hand brand but are open to alternative suggestions. Made in USA is important. We have eliminated non-winch ready and brush/grill guard only without the replacement bumper

Here are our choices:

(1) brush guard/replacement bumper/winch ready: Sport Series Winch Ready Front Bumper has the full brush guard including protection for headlights

(2) bullnose guard/replacement bumper winch ready: Sport BullNose Series Winch Ready Front Bumper is abbreviated without protection for headlights and has a platform for extra lights

Linking to Ranch Hand catalog only links to catalog, not part specific.

Here are some questions:

(1) If we opted for the first one, where would we put extra lights like on the bullnose?

(2) Is the full brush guard overkill?

(3) How difficult are they to install? Hubby has tools including shop winch and pulleys

(4) Would the full brush guard option put too much weight on the front?

(5) Probably more questions so if you have any input, it is appreciated

Reasons for buying a winch ready replacement bumper:

(1) Personal safety: too many idiot drivers out there (better drivers generally off road) trying to make crazy turns in front of you, oncoming passers allowing inadequate time, etc. Maybe a big front end will make them think twice?

(2) Winch to get us out of off road situations

(3) deer/cattle: we travel in deer and open range country

(4) protect front end from damage from rocks, brush, etc.

We explore off road for rockhounding, photography, just for fun and to get away from crowds. This takes us throughout the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest. We are thinking maybe the full brush/grill guard is overkill but then maybe the bull nose isn't enough.

Any advice welcome. Thanks.

 

[rayct77]

I have Winchready bumpers (front and back). They are heavy but I hit a deer outside Sunriver at about 45 mph. Didn't scratch the powdercoat. Winch install was pretty painless and it would be extremely difficult for someone to steal my winch under the bumper. Just another option

http://www.winchready.com/winch-bumpers/Ford/F250-F350/2005-2007

 

[Regcabguy]

www.xpcamper.com. Marc's site has some shots of a www.denver-offroad.com unit.

 

[LuckyDan]

The Ranch Hand series are USA built for USA issues like smacking elk at 60 mph while eating a hamburger. Actually they are fairly popular here in Eastern Oregon. I can say from experience that the full guards are up to the challenge of protection from hitting deer and brush. I'm not familiar with the bullnose or more "Sporty" models. The ranchers and woods workers in my neck of the woods opt for more steel and less look.

That said, they are all steel and weigh accordingly, 100 to 200lb plus before winch or anything else.
If I were buying one I'd go full guard. It's rare someone center punches a deer or tree. If you hit a cow at any significant speed you're going to be damaged, guard or no guard.
As for install they are more or less bolt on for someone with mechanical aptitude.
One of the advantages of their bumper is it's made to be put against something, like a tree, when winching someone or something other than ones self.

Good Luck with your decision...

 

[DanT]

Aluminess ? I know they're winch ready and made in the USA. I'm considering one for my rig, anyone want to chime in with there opinion? I know there lighter because of the aluminum but I'm pretty sure the steel ones would hold up better in the event of a animal strike. The cost is a bit prohibitive. Sorry to answer your question with another question but I felt like this is an appropriate thread for my questions.
Thanks

 

[brian90744]

buckstop bumpers

check out buckstop.biz close to you, and $75 shipping??

just FYI brian

 

[seeNik48]

Hubby and I discussed this again last night and decided to buy the full grill guard, because as you said, you usually don't hit an animal dead center. We are very careful when we travel in open range/deer country and have been lucky so far but best to be ready. Our main concern is idiot humans who drive like they get second chances with a head on collision. Sometimes, you just want to shake them silly and ask them wth were you thinking. Maybe they will think twice before pulling stupid stunts. If we do get the full brush grill winch ready replacement bumper, where should we buy it? On-line purchase would be less expensive besides not having to pay state sales tax. Some had free shipping. Hubby can install it himself as he has lots of tools and a shop with pulley system. Thanks for your feedback.

Checked out Buckstop and it looks like they have a quality product. We had decided on Ranch Hand but may have to check their offerings, too. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DennisNYS]

Check CraigsList daily.
I found my front and rear RanchHand bumpers for a total of 600.00.
I helped remove both off the sellers truck, and with the help of an engine hoist, I was
able to put them on myself with little trouble.