Front hooks and bumper question

[fields_mj]

Okay, so I hit a deer this morning. Busted the grill, and pushed the bumper back a little on the right side. Had to have a guy yank the bumper back out so that I had enough room for the tire to make a left turn.

Sooo, as I called around to find a new grill, I went ahead and looked for a new bumper too just so that I knew the prices. One of the things that I was asked about the bumper is whether it had cut outs in it or not. The only reason that I can think of having cutouts is to give acess to a set of recover hooks, which is something I really wish my truck had, or I was able to add.

So my questions are, what would the cut outs on the bumper actually be used for if not for recovery hooks? Should either bumper fit my truck? I'm currently having problems finding a bumper, but I'll probably not end up changing it anyway. Last question is, with a regular bumper is there any way that I can mount a set of hooks or D rings to the front of the truck? It would be handly for dragging logs out of the woods in the winter time.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Get the bumper with the cutouts.

For either tow hooks or another fresh air avenue for a possible intercooler mod someday down the road as well.

The bumpers on the 87 and up are pretty much for show. They've got enough bracketry on them that if bumped just right, they'll pop out of alignment or twist.

You'd bout have to go thru the bumper into the frame for a secure mount.

 

[towcat]

my suggestion is to get the bumper with the cut-outs.
if you can handle the shipping, I do have access to the made-in-taiwan bumpers and cut-out moulding. trim your current rub strip to accommodate the new piece.
as far as the hook is concerned, that is a really bad idea on the OBS frames or any of our frames. the frame front section is actually designed to deform and they do it without much effort. nextly, the crossmember rivets are easily broken loose and things really get interesting especially on high mile chassis.
just food for thought.

 

[fields_mj]

That's kind of what I was afraid of. I've been looking the front end over since the day I bought the truck, and I still haven't come up with a good anchor point on the front end. If I ever have to pull start the thing, it looks like I will be hosed. Got to be the stupidest design I've seen yet.

The current bumper has a slight crease about 3" long near the left mount, and a slight dent where we wrapped the chain around it to yank it back away from the tire. I think with a few hours and a mig I'll be able to get it pretty close to where it ought to be. Considering how weak this set up is, I can't see any reason to spend money on replacing it other than looks. And since I only carry liablility on it, insurance isn't paying for anything so I care a whole lot less about what it looks like. The up side is that I found a gril for $40, and that's all I'll need to actually replace

 

[TWeatherford]

I've pull started mine from the front bumper, no damage. This was done using a chain and on concrete, not exactly easy on things. I would be curious how much force the frames are designed to deform under. I imagine it is reasonably substantial, and primarily designed for damping compression (not tension).

 

[fields_mj]

Well, in order to yank my bumper forward this morning, it took about 4 or 5 tugs. The truck was turned off and in first gear, no parking break. I had 2 wheels on the gravel shoulder, and 2 wheels on wet grass. Moved my truck less than a foot. Having said that, I had him get a little bit of momentum so that it would gently yank on the bumper and shift it back out. He may have been putting more pressure on the bumper than I would have by popping the clutch, but if so not by much.