Greetings Fellow Citizens...

‘99 Early F250 w/7.3. Time for a new front bumper. My biggest requirement is that I can stand on it. With this old dog, semi easy access into the engine compartment is turning into a must. This rules out grilled bumpers I’m pretty sure.

I have seen a thread discussing using a 2005 bumper. Not opposed to this as long as I can get a warm&fuzzy on the standing part. What single pic I have seen, it looks ok. But could use some more input.

Will consider new. Have seen that Ranch Hand Bullnose online (without grill guard) and it could be a possibility. Saw a Warn bumper - hidden mount - on a 2014-ish SD that looked interesting. Site says they have one for this year SD, but again could use a bit of warm&fuzzy if I’m going to shell out for something new like that.

Not set up for major surgery to get something on there. Can manage minor fab work though. Any thoughts? Thanx!

 

I just put Ranch Hand Legends on the front and back of a 2003 F-350 --- total cost was only $1520 shipped.

Those products fit 99-03.

Very pleased with their fit, function, quality.

 

Thanks for responding. The Ranch Hand, without the cattle grill, appears to be a decent choice. The question I have is can you stand on the bumper comfortably? Is there enough foot room?

 

Have you looked into a top side creeper instead of replacing the bumper it would be way easier on you and your wallet to lay on the top side creeper than to stand on the bumper and be bent over while working.

 

Do you have a welder? I know you said your not set up for major surgery but I am looking into Move bumpers. They have alot of options and are cheap cause you have to weld them up and paint them, but they are easy to build up.

 

Bumper is in rough shape and quite unsightly(peeling chrome and rust), that is why it is bumper time. I also wouldn't mind a slightly more aggressive look to the rig.

 

Warn does. Here is what it looks like for the 1999 model year...

 

I have a 2001. All I did was add 1" worth of bumper spacers (used to make more room for tires with lifted trucks) and put grip tape on the top of the bumper. I think It cost me like $60 and I can stand quote comfortably on the bumper. you could probably make those spacers for free out of scrap metal, so now that's like $8 for the grip tape.

the truck looks better with the bumper pushed-out a bit, anyway.

 

I like the thinking here. I could pick up a replacement bumper - either new or in decent shape without much trouble. I would agree that pushing it out a bit would harden the look a little bit. Thanks for the input.

 

Another good option, along the lines of what FractureCritical put forth below. It looks like the hidden kit provides some aesthetic trim components to account for the bumper being pushed out.


I wish my truck had half the paint job like the one in that image you posted.

 

Not sure I could trust my fab skills on something like that. But maybe a bunch of bedliner slathered on would gloss over some amateur workmanship.

 

Yes, the two Warn side pieces and single top trim piece are all included with the kit, and are contoured and form fitted to match. It would not be possible to have those panels professionally made for less than grand, no matter what materials were used. Something could be fashioned to fill the gap, but the fit and finish wouldn't look as OEM as what Warn managed to accomplish in their first Semi Hidden Kit ever made for the Super Duty.

The photo was taken 18 years ago, when that Woodland Green colored truck was brand spanking new, under huge overhead soft box lights, in a professional photography studio, and was retouched afterward. Prior to the photo, the truck was detailed. The photo is so old, that Warn hadn't even come out with their M15000 winch yet, nevermind the 16.5ti. The winch pictured is the original Warn M12000.

By the way, I have this hidden kit, and had a short meeting with Warn's lead engineer at the time at the 2001 SEMA show. That's how I came to be familiar with it.

If you really want a front surface to put your feet on, why not install a front receiver hitch, and insert a hitch platform carrier when you want to reach over the radiator?

 

I too am looking for bumper ideas for my 99. Plan on designing and fabbing mine (I own a fabrication shop, should be able to handle it). Who’s got custom bumpers out there? I’d love to see a bunch of custom and aftermarket ones so I can steal, huh “borrow”, design elements from the good ones.

 

I did that for my truck 4 years ago. Picked up second hand bumpers, Ranch Hand Brand. Removed the brush guard portion and had a nice roomy area to stand. I think previous owner replaced a lower cross bar with a piece of 1/8" diamond plate making it a step below the top plate and between the vertical plates. It has been great to work off of.

 

Good to learn. Thanx.