3rd gen front bumper options

[HURRICANES]

Trying to decide if I want to replace my front bumper on my 99 Limited. Was in a minor accident today that damaged it. It can probably be repaired, but this may be a good time for replacement. What do you guys recommend? I have never been really fond on the "fat lip" style that's on it now. Would prefer and earlier version or maybe after market. If I go with a an earlier style I'm not sure what years would fit. I appreciate any input.

 

[JayRolla]

Trying to decide if I want to replace my front bumper on my 99 Limited. Was in a minor accident today that damaged it. It can probably be repaired, but this may be a good time for replacement. What do you guys recommend? I have never been really fond on the "fat lip" style that's on it now. Would prefer and earlier version or maybe after market. If I go with a an earlier style I'm not sure what years would fit. I appreciate any input.

If you want to go to the 96-97 chrome bumper I would try to get one from a junkyard and take all the mounting brackets.

If this is an offroad rig I would look into aftermarket plate/tube bumpers. Cool thing about steel bumpers is when someone decides to back into your bumper in a parking lot. They take all the damage.

Aftermarket stock bumpers are trash. They rust and fall apart pretty quickly.

 

[frodiesel]

I found my arb front bumper on cl for 500 and they seller directed me to a guy who made a rear bumper w tire swingout and sliders for dirt cheap. Getting it powdercosted now.

 

[kolelt]

cheapest front bumper will be SAVAGE offroad. I got front and rear.

honestly, if you font plan on adding a winch or off roading then get a oem replacement from junkyard or ebay

 

[Randyboy]

The early 96-98 bumper looks better than the fat lip style. I think addicted off-road has a deal on front and rear bumper and sliders for a great deal.

 

[Co4Fun]

I found my arb front bumper on cl for 500 and they seller directed me to a guy who made a rear bumper w tire swingout and sliders for dirt cheap. Getting it powdercosted now.

I have to ask...what is "dirt cheap" to you? Just curious.

I'm going through this now. Have a local fab guy who has done some nice work. Looking at $1500 or so for rear alone with swingout etc. But that's complete with swing out, tire mount, gerry can mount, pull points, and light buckets for LED's and this is fully powdercoated.

 

[kolelt]

I have to ask...what is "dirt cheap" to you? Just curious.

I'm going through this now. Have a local fab guy who has done some nice work. Looking at $1500 or so for rear alone with swingout etc. But that's complete with swing out, tire mount, gerry can mount, pull points, and light buckets for LED's and this is fully powdercoated.

thats a good price for a bumper... but if its quality built

 

[JayRolla]

I have to ask...what is "dirt cheap" to you? Just curious.

I'm going through this now. Have a local fab guy who has done some nice work. Looking at $1500 or so for rear alone with swingout etc. But that's complete with swing out, tire mount, gerry can mount, pull points, and light buckets for LED's and this is fully powdercoated.

Is it from addicted offroad. His rear tire carrier setup is custom made to each vehicle. Worth the money and down time.

 

[kolelt]

savage offfers a rear bumper that has bolt on swing out. Which reversible to both sides... he will be offering a bolt on add on such as hi lift jack and jerry cans. So you can have a swingout on one side and the cans on other side

 

[Scramble]

This thread is about front bumpers!!!! LOL

 

[Road Bull]

This thread is about front bumpers!!!! LOL

LOL.

OP, pardon our tangents on this forum. You WILL find good info and opinions here, but you will also begin to see that every question is a mere 6 degrees of separation from input and output that others have.... and, Kevin Bacon.

On topic.. I used to have a 2002 fat lip bumper. At first I didn't care much for it. I ended up swapping it out for an Addicted Offroad plate bumper. There are a few people that actually prefer the fat-lip over the snub nose bumpers. I would say that if you just want to keep a stock appearance, just find a cheap OEM replacement from either eBay, CL, or a local pick and pull. But it you were looking to spend any kind of money on new parts, I would suggest considering an aftermarket front bumper. There are plenty of style and price point options out there.

There are some advantages that offroad bumpers offer over the OEM bumper. The OEM bumpers are weak. If someone backs up into you, they dent. And that's at "parking" speed! Generally, for a little more money, you can get an aftermarket offroad bumper that will hold up better over the years and change the personality of the truck to your own taste. Anyway, it is something to consider.

I got rear ended a while back. When they replaced the bumper, I insisted on OEM parts due to aftermarket OEM replacements being trash and prematurely rusting. If I had it to do over again, I would have just got an aftermarket offroad replacement and been much happier.

 

[frodiesel]

I have to ask...what is "dirt cheap" to you? Just curious.

I'm going through this now. Have a local fab guy who has done some nice work. Looking at $1500 or so for rear alone with swingout etc. But that's complete with swing out, tire mount, gerry can mount, pull points, and light buckets for LED's and this is fully powdercoated.

Under 800 after i sandblast it ($10) and powder coat (160) w pull rings, tire swingout, hardware-which some will be upgraded, and i want to add a shock to support swingout. Did i mention the free rock sliders?
Pm for his number. He offers a raw front for under 500. He will not ship. I drive for work so no big deal for me.

 

[HURRICANES]

LOL.

OP, pardon our tangents on this forum. You WILL find good info and opinions here, but you will also begin to see that every question is a mere 6 degrees of separation from input and output that others have.... and, Kevin Bacon.

On topic.. I used to have a 2002 fat lip bumper. At first I didn't care much for it. I ended up swapping it out for an Addicted Offroad plate bumper. There are a few people that actually prefer the fat-lip over the snub nose bumpers. I would say that if you just want to keep a stock appearance, just find a cheap OEM replacement from either eBay, CL, or a local pick and pull. But it you were looking to spend any kind of money on new parts, I would suggest considering an aftermarket front bumper. There are plenty of style and price point options out there.

There are some advantages that offroad bumpers offer over the OEM bumper. The OEM bumpers are weak. If someone backs up into you, they dent. And that's at "parking" speed! Generally, for a little more money, you can get an aftermarket offroad bumper that will hold up better over the years and change the personality of the truck to your own taste. Anyway, it is something to consider.

I got rear ended a while back. When they replaced the bumper, I insisted on OEM parts due to aftermarket OEM replacements being trash and prematurely rusting. If I had it to do over again, I would have just got an aftermarket offroad replacement and been much happier.

lol...its all good. I have seen many threads take different directions from what they were intended. I think I have decided to stick with the oem bumper for now. Based on the damage I just have to replace the lower valance panel and a local body shop is going to buff the upper portion. One of the parking lights was cracked so that has to be replaced too. Parts are going to run about $350 and labor $200. My biggest concern in switching to an aftermarket is the possibility of it affecting how the airbags could work. Should that be a concern?

 

[bmodo16]

Don't quote me but I believe the ARB is the only bumper *Certified* to work with the factory airbag sensors. Now, is this truly the case? I dont think so, I think you'd be fine. Im about to build my own and taking bits and pieces from several builds.

 

[mckennar]

Hey @OP just wanted to mention that if you go for something cheap as a "stock" (looking) replacement from flea-bay or amazon 9 times out of 10 they'll be much thinner, lighter, weaker, cheaper metal than your stocker. They'll look identical on the outside but the metal is thicker and doesn't protect as well.

If you can, go with OEM.

 

[nc-grayson]

how bad is your current bumper exactly?

 

[frodiesel]

Instead of fitting my new bumper, i just painted the old one


I now have a rear bumper and swingout for sale in sw michigan. Also some extra beefy rock sliders.

 

[HURRICANES]

how bad is your current bumper exactly?

Its not terrible. The passenger side was pushed down a very small amount, but the body shop said they could adjust it so it was even like before. I didn't realize until looking at parts diagrams that the bumper was made up of multiple pieces. I just assumed it was once piece. The only part I will have to replace is the lower panel. I will try to get some pics in the next day or two. I'm still trying to decide if I want to fix it or replace with an off road style bumper. Probably wouldn't install a winch, but would like to have that option in the future.

 

[Co4Fun]

Is it from addicted offroad. His rear tire carrier setup is custom made to each vehicle. Worth the money and down time.

No though I talked to those guys. No this guy local custom fab and has done many Rising Sun rigs as well as my buddies and quality is really good. And I should be clear that $1500 for rear with swing out is in black bedlined (so nothing custom on finish), and two flush mount light cuts (not molded buckets as I errantly stated before), receiver, etc...and that's without dual can carrier which I bought from CBI for additional $200. Plus it's part of front and slider compete deal and ya all said and done closer to $2500 so wanted to give the full picture there.


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