Need recomendations from y'all on what brand of bumper to get. Not that I intend to go around plowing into moose, elk and deer - but I do want to get an after market bumper that will guard my lights and grill in the case of bovine strike syndrome onset.
I also want it to have the capacity for a front trailer receiver hitch (in order to put a winch on a hitch and use it front and back), fog light wells, and a light/grille cage of at least 2" diameter pipe with brush guard for the head lights.

 

I found a great looking bumper at Iron Bull in Casa Grande, AZ - but, luckily before I committed to buying it, my wife found several negative reviews regarding customer service, weld quality and the fact that they were on an importer list getting bumpers from China despite claiming to make 50-60 bumpers per week (incidentally with only 4 employees).
This bumper was (allegedly) made of 3/16 steel and the pipes were 2.5" x 3/16 thick so that is going to be my minimum.

 

A lot of owners on this forum like Ranch Hand bumpers.

 

Check out the extensive list provided by another forum in 2008. Some of these companies are no longer in business. Also, new companies have come online that are not in this list.

heavy duty bumpers - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

 

Buckstop Bumpers, out of Oregon. I run one on all three of our trucks. Good quality stuff.

 

+1 on the Buckstop Bumpers...
I had the Baja style Buckstop on my old truck. A whitetail deer came out of nowhere one morning while I was heading to work. Smacked it at about 75-80 mph. Absolutely no damage to the truck or the bumper... but a real nasty green and red spray all over the truck!!

 

Anyone know if Buckstop will customize to order (like adding in the brush guard wires to protect the headlights)?

 

How about Warn - Warn's Heavy Duty Bumper Series - Ford Front Bumpers - Off Road Unlimited
Or products from Monster - Ford F250-350 99-04 FER Winch Bumper
Or Trail Ready - TrailReady Winch Bumpers for Ford Superduty Trucks - F250, F350, F450, F550
Or Truck Add ons (several mfrs) - Bumpers and Replacement Bumpers as well as other truck accessories at Truckaddons

 

Yes they will, I asked for and got an extra bar installed on the bumper we put on my wifes truck. Ask for Kris Holcombe. He assisted me with all three purchases.

 

oops! Forgot to add:

Kris Holcombe
Buckstop Truckware
Phone 800-431-6978 ext. 230
Fax 503-217-5748
Buckstop Heavy Duty Winch Bumpers for Dodge, Ford, Chevy, GM, Nissan, Toyota Trucks, Vans

 

Thanks, cay! I had already sent a web contact form in asking where their bumpers were made and didn't want to double tap them. I got Kris's contact info from his reply.
Nice to find a place that makes stuff in this country from steel produced in this country.

 

HK,
You are welcome. I like their products and service has been second to none.
Best of luck to you.

-Mark

 

When I get one, it's probably going to be from these guys:

1999-2004 Ford SuperDuty