So I have been trying to get my hands on a front bumper replacement for my f350 from t3 truck. I found a place locally that is a t3 dealer and the guy I have been talking to said something along the lines of....
"on these trucks (I did not specify that my truck was a diesel, only a 1-ton) the front clip is pretty weak and we (the t3 dealer) just installed a bumper without the winch option and we had to do some pretty heavy bracing for support everything. If you run your winch w/the bumper you would probably pull the front bumper into the grill"

I didnt want to risk sounding like an idiot so I wanted to ask around here first.... I don't think FORD would make a 1-ton truck that wouldnt support a winch. Surely they wouldnt design something so poorly... *cough cough* stock air box

Does this guy know what he is talking about? Am I going to rip the guts out of my truck if I buy a front bumper replacement? Thanks for the help in advance yall.

On Edit: I have a 12K warn winch that I plan on using.

On Edit #2: This is what I was wanting to put on...
http://t3truckequipment.com/Front%20Ends.htm

 

I'll preface this with "I don't have a winch" so extensive pulling I can't confirm, but on the other hand...

I do have a rather large replacement front bumper, I've put it to work pushing a smallish 18' trailer up a steep driveway (front receiver hitch) and had no problem.

Additionally the previous owner used this truck heavily on a ranch and if the marks and dents on the bumper explain anything there's been plenty of force on it. (again this is the opposite force of the winch though)

Hope this helps some.

EDIT: I'll try and get some pictures from underneath this evening so you can see how it was attached...

 

i have a ranch hand and have pulled some pretty stuck trucks and equipment out with it. i winched out one skidloader and i had to triple line it using two ****** blocks with my Warn 8274! front of my truck just screamed more!

your truck should and can handle a winch to pull heavy loads.

however this is all under the assumption that your framerails are in good condition and the bumper is rated to take the load!

-cutts-

 

How much does ones of those bumpers cost?

 

Let me think.....If I can hang a 1,000 pound snow plow off the front, plow 12 inches of wet snow(9 foot scoop blade) with it and hit snow banks at speeds that make me wonder if the back seat is gonna hit me the head, I think you can mount a winch and bumper up there. The weakest spot in the frame is where the front shackles bolt in and my plow frame has one bolt in front of that spot and two behind but still your frame can handle a winch.

 

around $1100 or so.

Front Bumper Replacements

-cutts-

 

the t3 bumpers run around $786 (for the winch bumper) which is really good compared to ranch hand which can run upwards of $1500 for the same thing (basically).
T3 is charging me $900 (including freight and installation of bumper/winch)

TJ: that is what I was thinking, I see guys with plows, trailers, etc all putting lots o' stress on the front end so there shouldn't be any reason why a winch/bumper would have issues. I really think this guy has no idea what he was talking about.

Thanks for the help yall.... I placed my order 10mins ago and it should be here in about 2weeks (they had to build it since they had none in stock)
I cant wait to take her out in the mud/trails again!!!

 

1 week remaining!!!