custom bumpers, yay or nay

[mr_valingo]

Along with ball joints and other misc. maintenance i was thinkin custom bumpers from rlc welding and a winch are in order. My stock bumpers have had a rough life so they need to go. Anybody have any pros or cons to add? My truck is mostly stock otherwise. Just bl and 31's.

 

[2TimingTom]

subbing for opinions. I'm more or less in the same boat.

 

[Paraphoe]

I think you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone here who wouldn't recommend a customer bumper and winch. The only drawbacks I can think of are cost and added weight.

Go for it!

 

[mr_valingo]

How bout the added strain from a winch? Im runnin the stock alternator with optima blue top. That battery is a beast i think i will hold up

 

[2TimingTom]

I've heard of people mentioning weight a few times. Why does that really matter? I understand weight from a racing perspective, but I guess I can't see it being THAT big of a deal for a street/light trail truck.

There's a shop here in town run by a guy who has a 2nd gen Mountaineer that looks pretty set up (from his pics on facebook).

 

[FROADER]

If possible, leave the truck running when you use the winch, no problems. You can also upgrade the alternator when you get a chance. I used mine on the stock '92 system.

The weight affects the attitude of the suspension, which in turn affects the ability to make certain obstacles. Especially on the stock gear.

 

[mr_valingo]

Plus with ifs it affects ground clearance. But the way i see it, if i get stuck ill have the winch. Im thinkin of getting the smittybilt x20 10k. If im gonna go cheap i might as well go good cheap right?

 

[rabbit91]

im one of the few paraphoe mentions doesnt recommend a custom bumper : not that im against them

you can put a front hitch on, they usually comes out the opening in the front grill/bumper area, this would save you money, weight and still allow you to run a winch...

 

[mr_valingo]

My front bumper has cancer pretty bad. The back one forgot what straight looks like. And my hitch... Well it ripped in half so i bolted it together. Needless to say, they won't hold on much longer.

 

[bama-mountaineer]

If your gona go custom... Go big. If your gona be a bear, be a grizzly bear. Don't be a honey bear.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Hey, that's my SIG, lol.

 

[mr_valingo]

Nuf said. Trees beware, blue oval comin through