Hey guys if you have been following my build thread my current bumper is a rusty POS and i am debating what i want to do now. Originally when i got my 05 bumper it was through insurance so it was an aftermarket 05 bumper. It has been 2 years and the rust has popped through and it is only getting worse every month.

My ideas are either a new (or good used) OEM 05 Front bumper, and 05 bumper with bull bar like ive had but again a new oem bumper, or a Fusion front bumper with the defender guard. In all these options i will be getting a 30" led bar as well as either 4" or 20" led fog light bar i already have some 6" spot light led bars. The 05 bumper fts a 20" bar in the front opening but the fuson bumper fits 2 sets of 4" led bars instead as well as a 30" bar.

Stock:


Bull Bar:


Fusion:

 

I really like the looks of the Fusion bumper. I especially like that it doesn't stick way out the front of the truck.

The only thing I would specifically check on is where the brackets mount to on the frame. Some of these really heavy bumpers just mount to the same holes as the factory bumper and end up breaking those plates off of the end of the frame horns. Others, like the ARB bumper that I have, bolt to a number of places on the frame itself in addition to those factory bumper mounting plates. My ARB has something like 8 bolts per side that mount through the frame itself, which provides good strength to handle not only winch loads, but also the jarring of off road driving.

 

Good to know! I believe they bolt to the frame with 5 bolts per side i found an article on truxkin before ill look again and link it if i can find it.

 

The Fusion looks awesome!! I would go with the Fusion.

 

If you have the coin for the Fusion, do it! All of the aftermarket bumpers look much better than factory. I had a bull bar on my '08 and then bought a Road Armor winch bumper... night and day!

 

Jim i always liked your 08 and that side by side really helps to see the difference between stock and aftermarket! I can fund the Fusion after tax returns if i go for one lump sum lol. If not though i have the option to make payments through my bank like a credit card almost.

 

I voted for the Fusion Bumper, been through these stages myself

3 Pic's for your enjoyment.......

 

IMO, if you're going to bother putting protection on the front, put something that actually protect it. Bull bars just bend into the bumper/grill, it's a sad joke. Steel bumpers only protect the bumper, so a deer taking out your lights/grill/radiator/intercooler really doesn't help much when they bounce off the bumper.

The only way to go is full front end protection. I'd have one myself if I didn't plow.

 

I agree with the bull bar, it wasnt for protection so much as looks when i first got the truck in high school lol.

 

Another vote for the Fusion..

I ran a Bull Bar on one of my F150's, it was just for looks and another spot to mount lights...I don't see them doing much else.

 

I sent an email to Fusion asking about their options because it seems every site that sells their bumpers has some of the options i want but not all such as all the light bar brackets but not paint/powder coat or the paint but no brush guard and you can only get the lights not just the light brackets lol. I emailed them with what i want and how much and see what they say today.

I an seriously considering going Fusion over stock i even have a winch picked out lol .

I was going to get a Warn VR12000 does that sound good? I don't do serious offroading but that was the closest to Warn said to do when picking a winch (the GVWR x 1.5 so 8,800 x 1.5 ~ 12,200).

 

Spoke with Fusion just now and all the options i want are available for the same price directly through them so if/when i purchase it i will just go straight through Fusion instead of an online site. I asked about pricing and with the options i want the Front bumper will be $1889 and the rear will be $1125.

Front Options:
4x 4" light bar brackets
Winch Mount
Grill Gaurd
Black Powder Coat

Rear Options
2x 6" Single row Cut outs
Black Powder Coat

Without powder coating its not bad at $925 for the rear and 1689 for the front for all my options i want.

 

Warn is a good winch they do a fine job...The numbers look about right from what I remember from my Jeep days...You need to account for the GVWR and the resistance of whatever it is that is keeping you stuck..

Looking forward to some pics when that baby is mounted up..

 

Awesome thanks just wanted to make sure i was going about it right. Will do! I probably wont order for another month and that will just be the front one and the back will be this coming summer. I will have the winch for when the bumper comes in but not the lights right away.

I will keep this thread updated

 

What do you guys think about rear bumpers? i really like the Fab Fours rear bumper but I'm not sure if I should match and get Fusion rear as well.

EDIT: added pics

Fusion


Fab Fours