To Bumper or Not to Bumper? aka Pheasant Protection

[Nick@ApolloOff-Road]

I chose Steelcraft

You quoted @DwnSth's post about his Ranch Hand bumpers, which is what I was referring to in my post.

 

[TX03RUBI]

So far in this truck I’ve hit 2 deer and a hog. Last truck 4-5 deer, 3 hogs, a Turkey, and dog. Many more animals with past trucks. I’ve narrowly avoided a moose, herd of elk, and countless deer with this truck. Last truck was the same, but also a couple of aoudad. I drive a ton, and a lot of it is at night. I’ll never not have a bumper.

 

[BroncOh]

So far in this truck I’ve hit 2 deer and a hog. Last truck 4-5 deer, 3 hogs, a Turkey, and dog. Many more animals with past trucks. I’ve narrowly avoided a moose, herd of elk, and countless deer with this truck. Last truck was the same, but also a couple of aoudad. I drive a ton, and a lot of it is at night. I’ll never not have a bumper.

No damage to the truck from the 2 deer and hog?

 

[TX03RUBI]

No damage to the truck from the 2 deer and hog?

No sir. I typically don’t even touch the brakes for deer or hogs. Almost hit some aoudad after a hunt last year, and they had me a bit worried about damage. Luckily I narrowly missed them.

I ran up to Salt Lake City in early November, and between Albuquerque and Farmington I was following a F350 welding rig with a bumper of some sort as well. It was close to midnight, and he was maybe 1/4 mile ahead of me. All of a sudden I saw him spin out and end up in the ditch. About 5-10 seconds later I realized why. He ran smack into a herd of elk at full speed, and I damn near hit what remained of them in the road. There were at least 2-3 on the ground, and I pulled up to his truck to see if he was ok. Before I could even stop he took off again. From what I could see his truck faired pretty well. I never caught up to him again, so I’m assuming it was doing ok.

 

[BroncOh]

No sir. I typically don’t even touch the brakes for deer or hogs. Almost hit some aoudad after a hunt last year, and they had me a bit worried about damage. Luckily I narrowly missed them.

I ran up to Salt Lake City in early November, and between Albuquerque and Farmington I was following a F350 welding rig with a bumper of some sort as well. It was close to midnight, and he was maybe 1/4 mile ahead of me. All of a sudden I saw him spin out and end up in the ditch. About 5-10 seconds later I realized why. He ran smack into a herd of elk at full speed, and I damn near hit what remained of them in the road. There were at least 2-3 on the ground, and I pulled up to his truck to see if he was ok. Before I could even stop he took off again. From what I could see his truck faired pretty well. I never caught up to him again, so I’m assuming it was doing ok.

That's the kind of news I like to hear to justify my purchases. Sounds like a win!

 

[Blade420Play🔪🏆]

Agree. I went aftermarket for more winch/lighting options, but I just got a bumper, no bars or anything. So I sacrifice maximum protection but got a bumper that I feel is still minimally visually intrusive but gave me better winch/lighting options. I’m very happy with the added function, and don’t feel like it took too much away from the aesthetics

View attachment 141309

I actually like this bumper

 

[Vecman]

I've got a couple options in stock, if you're interested. They're not quite as tight fitting as the Octane, but it's relatively minimalist and fit a winch. Also fits 2 pairs of pods and a 30" bar. And both are in stock and ready to ship.

First up is Road Armor Evolution with No Guard.

I don't have pictures of it installed on a 2023, but here it is as a rendering and installed on a 2022.

Rendering for 2023 Model

2022

And also have the Fab Fours Matrix with No Guard

The ADD ones aren’t bad, just for me, I didn’t like the mesh plate over the lights, which I’m sure can be removed. Does it work with adaptive cruise? That’s one of the reasons I went Fab Four was for the simole way I could keep the ACC since I can’t relocate it behind the grill

 

[Slosvt]

Any one have experience with Expedition One RangeMax Ultra HD front bumper?

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

Any one have experience with Expedition One RangeMax Ultra HD front bumper?

Not that bumper in particular but I have run one of their products in the past. They make great looking bumpers but I had weld integrity issues and their prep for powder coat was awful. A few years back there was a huge debacle in some RAM forums about their rear bumpers having all kinds of issues as well. That said, they are still in business and continue to develop for new models and sell quite well. Not sure if I would ever buy another one of their bumpers but I would consider it based on their designs alone.

 

[TexAg0842]

I can't find one that I love either.

I'm just going OEM winch with BD XL linkable light bar. I went ADD on the last F250 and it was fine but nothing for the 23' is speaking to me

 

[deathfromafar17]

I can't find one that I love either.

I'm just going OEM winch with BD XL linkable light bar. I went ADD on the last F250 and it was fine but nothing for the 23' is speaking to me

Where and how are you going to mount it?

 

[TexAg0842]

@deathfromafar17

Baja Designs is close to releasing the 23' mounting bracket for it.

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

@deathfromafar17

Baja Designs is close to releasing the 23' mounting bracket for it.

For what?

 

[TexAg0842]

The XL linkable light bar.

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

The XL linkable light bar.


View attachment 141429

Ahh, I wasn't aware that the current one wouldn't work with the '23+ trucks.

 

[Pompey]

Despite all the dramas I had getting mine, and fitting it, working around some lazy welding and dealing with the non existent customer service, having seen what’s available in the US I much prefer what’s available here. They just look more substantial. It’s a bit tricky getting to the winch lever that allows free spooling, but apart from that it’s fine.

 

[TRAMPER]

Good luck stopping us Pheasants. We can fly you know.

Haha new people to this forum or people who haven’t read up on the pheasant thread are going to think we’re all nuts.

 

[deathfromafar17]

@deathfromafar17

Baja Designs is close to releasing the 23' mounting bracket for it.

Tell em to hurry the heck up!!

 

[deathfromafar17]

View attachment 141445
View attachment 141444
Good luck stopping us Pheasants. We can fly you know.

Haha new people to this forum or people who haven’t read up on the pheasant thread are going to think we’re all nuts.

hahaha yep! Turkeys are jumpers too.

 

[Dos Hijas Ranch]

Has anyone mentioned South Texas Outfitters in San Antonio? That's what I went with and couldn't be happier. All their bumpers are custom and you can add whatever you want to them. They also work with winches and adaptive cruise control. Ask for KJ if you call.