Greetings all!

New owner of a barely-used 2012 F-150 Supercrew Lariat.

I've lived in Texas for 23 years and finally have a pickup truck!

I'm a long-time Jeep guy, so know nearly nothing about the F-150 (obvious stuff aside).

First up - grill guard or front bumper (can't decide, so many choices)... spend alot of time in the Texas Hill Country, I've already pounded a deer in my GF's 4-runner... don't want to do that to an unprotected new truck.

After that... I dunno, had my heart set on a Raptor but budget wouldn't allow, so maybe some Raptor-like capability mods... who knows.

Cheers!

 

Congrats on the new truck

 

Congrats! As we say around here... Pics or it didn't happen!

 

I'll remedy that situation shortly! (although I think I need more posts...)

 

Congrats! Also a warning, we love pics around here. Can't wait to see it.

 

Congrats and enjoy your new truck.

 

Thanks all for the warm welcome!

Unfortunately yesterday work took me through sunset so no good pics. I'll get 'er cleaned up this weekend and get some good photos.

I guess I should have said Dark Pearl Blue Metallic, 4x4, 275/65R18 with white letters out (blech!)... so definitely a little less aggressive looking than I'd generally like, but that's easy enough to change over time. The previous owner had headrest DVD installed, a sunroof installed (very professional looking job), nice window tint etc. He took exceptional care of the truck.

 

Congrats on the new to you truck and Welcome to the forum!

 

Thanks all!

Here she is... crappy cell phone pic, but at least now "it happened"

 

Congrats! I had a Ranch Hand on the ol' KR 6.0 I bought from Texas, and I blasted 2 deer in 8 days. One I was going around 50 mph, caught him moreso center to the pass side, ran completely over him ( a spike probably a good 160lbs) and it bent my International license plate. Thats it, those bumpers are tough!

 

Nice ride congrats

 

Another vote for Ranch Hand, here's the one I had on my '05 Dodge 5.9 Cummins Diesel when I lived in Austin back in 2004-2006. Forgive me for posting my old Dodge please

 

Thanks all for the recommendations. I've had a number of recommendations for Ranch Hand outside of this forum as well... maybe the decision is made.

After hitting the deer in the 4-runner, and seeing the damage (and it was a small Texas deer, I can't imagine if it was a big eastern mountains deer!)... the guard/bumper is a must.

Thanks!

 

I too am looking at the ranchhand for my new 2013 Xlt that I pick up tomorrow.I live in the foothills of the rocky mountains and I have hit alot of mulies/whitetails in my time.

Last april my gf hit a 800lbs cow moose with her 2012 Hyundia Elantra, barely a scratch on her, and car wasnt even written off. but we did trade it in for a new hyundia GT.

And since I have just barely missed herd of Elk on the raod two nights ago in my jeep... I am seriously considering the ranchhand.

Also one less bull moose to hit... My buddy shot a 51" on sunday morning, of course it walked to the bottom of a ravine and died. couldnt even get the quad down there. Im still sore from hauling moose...

g0rilla

EDIT

Will add pics of moose vs elantra, new 2013 f150 and the 51" bull moose when I get home...

 

I looked at a Ranch hand guard for my expedition and was not overly impressed with it, again this was just the guard not the bumper. I personally like the fab fours quality and sturdiness however they only make gear for the F-150. So most likely I will end up with a Iron Bull or home made bumper.

Link:

Fab Fours

I will warn you that the Fab Fours are heavy and you may need to respring the front end to make it level again. Figure on adding 200 plus lbs to the front end. Their bumper is 185 lbs, throw in a couple of 2-3 lb d rings and a 9,500 or 12,000 lb winch and you are well into the 200 lb range.