Low Profile Front Bumper Evaluation- Ones that don't move the sensors

[Romer]

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

I have found myself looking at winch weights today I don't use my winch on my Land Cruiser much. Mostly to help vehicles get unstuck. Once to get up a hard obstacle with a dedcated winch point. However, I did use it once to pull myself out of a snow drift and to move a big rock in my yard

The winch is not a hard requirement, but may creep in there. My main reason against is I just swapped the springs for Alldogs. Gained 1.6" in front and about 2" in the rear. Thinking a winch and bumper would droop about 0.5", maybe less. Why I asked about the crash bar. 0.5" droop is my guess with a 150 pound add. If the crash bar is 40 pounds, then droop may only be 0.33" vs 0.5"

Then going with the lighter CBI would likely bring it down to .25. In reality, those droop amounts are not that big a deal.

I did look at 1/2" spacers to put on top of the shock stack today. I read that size likely wouldn't impact anything negatively.

That is one drawback to working these evaluations in public. You get to see any requirements creep

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[gofastdan]

For sure. When I bought my truck I planned on doing very little to it. Now it's almost completely built out for full time overloading.

I expected the winch/bumper combo to pull my front end down but surprisingly, it really didn't. To your point, maybe .25" but that's not enough for me to do anything about.

 

[Romer]

I ran a little experiment. Not 100% accurate because the weight would be at the end of the frame rails which would apply more down force

8 gallons of water and 6 gallons of Tea (Ran out of water). Assume each is 8.3 lbs = 116 lbs

The droop in the front was about .25"

This simulates a bumper and winch minus the crash bar

Pike Bumper (81 lbs) + Warn VR EVO 10-S Winch (70lbs)- Bumper Removal (40 lbs)= 111 lbs net weight gain - weights from RCI website for bumper and winch

The Badlands 12K winch is 67lbs per Harbor freights web site

Bumper removal is crash bar, the dodad ?? in front of it and the bottom plastic peice. I guessed 30-40 lbs and using 35 until I have a better number
Edit: Toyotimothy confirmed 40 lbs from his crash bar.

Note that I have the AllDogs springs which are supposed to be slightly stiffer than stock (Verbal from AllDogs)

This was one of my concerns with adding a winch having just upgraded my springs. This rough test is sufficient for me to show a winch on the heaviest bumper I am considering isnt an issue. Lighter bumper would be even less.

 

[FlyAngler]

Now you just need to take those jugs for a ride to see how the front end handling is affected. LOL What could go wrong!

 

[Toyotimothy]

I ran a little experiment. Not 100% accurate because the weight would be at the end of the frame rails which would apply more down force

8 gallons of water and 6 gallons of Tea (Ran out of water). Assume each is 8.3 lbs = 116 lbs

The droop in the front was about .25"

This simulates a bumper and winch minus the crash bar

Pike Bumper (81 lbs) + Warn VR EVO 10-S Winch (70lbs)- Bumper Removal (35lbs??)= 116 lbs net weight gain - weights from RCI website for bumper and winch

The Badlands 12K winch is 67lbs per Harbor freights web site

Bumper removal is crash bar, the dodad ?? in front of it and the bottom plastic peice. I guessed 30-40 lbs and using 35 until I have a better number

Note that I have the AllDogs springs which are supposed to be slightly stiffer than stock (Verbal from AllDogs)

This was one of my concerns with adding a winch having just upgraded my springs. This rough test is sufficient for me to show a winch on the heaviest bumper I am considering isnt an issue. Lighter bumper would be even less.

I weighed the crash bar that I took off mine. Approximately 40 lbs give or take a little. So good guess. My pike 81 lbs and x bull winch approximately 59 lbs 140 total? I guess I didn’t think about the weight from the crash bar. I ended up only adding about a hundred pounds. I ordered Dobinson c59-822 front coil springs for a 2” lift but I was basing it on the 140 lbs. Do you think I should have taken a different route? I don’t want a stiff ride.

 

[Romer]

I weighed the crash bar that I took off mine. Approximately 40 lbs give or take a little. So good guess. My pike 81 lbs and x bull winch approximately 59 lbs 140 total? I guess I didn’t think about the weight from the crash bar. I ended up only adding about a hundred pounds. I ordered Dobinson c59-822 front coil springs for a 2” lift but I was basing it on the 140 lbs. Do you think I should have taken a different route? I don’t want a stiff ride.

Thanks for the measurement.

On the springs, are you lifting the rear as well? I think its more about the height then being too stiff.

Some folks like their trucks level, not me. I like some rake and even some extra since I tow.

You have the measurements from my experiance. what will .25" droop do for your current setup or with your new front springs? I do like the Front and Rear Alldogs lift I got. You could always get springs for the rear to match the front.

It really depends on what you want to end up with.

For me, I liked the stock rake and even a little extra is OK. That is why I changed all 4 springs

 

[Toyotimothy]

Currently it’s just stock. I don’t mind some rake but no as much as what I have. Only planned on doing the front for now. Originally the idea was to add 35s, I have 33s now and no issues. Plenty of room at the rear but I would feel better with a slight lift up front and then the crash bar removal thingy to make room. I am not happy with the BFG KO2’s that I have. Initially they were great. But upon first attempt at balancing, even with road force, they are no longer so great. Very noisy compared to how they were and the ride isn’t as good either, plus not much grip in rain or with slick road conditions. I only have 10-15k on them. Idk what to do. Considering Nitto or Toyo. Really want whatever is quietest and stays that way over the long haul.

 

[Romer]

I have been running Toyo ATs for years. I have AT3's on both the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. They balance easy and I have never considered them loud

 

[Toyotimothy]

I did look at the all dogs. R4t maybe? I really wanted at least a 2” lift up front so I would have maybe 1/2”-3/4” rake. Even a 1/4” would be fine. I just don’t want the front higher than the rear. Lol

 

[Romer]

I selected the RCI Pike Bumper With a Warn EVO VR 10-S winch.

• I liked the look of this bumper the best
• This has beefy secondary brackets.
• Install Video and Instructions are very easy to follow
• Likely to line up better with my RCI Skid plates
• Decided to add a winch even though listed as nice to have
• Test showed droop added to suspension likely less than 0.25" for bumper and winch. Not something I will worry about
• I have a Light Bar in my TRD Pro style Grill, so did not want big gapping holes were big light bars go. The ones on this bumper are small and don't look like something is missing. If I wanted a Lightbar, either Victory or Cali Raised would have been higher in my list
• I oscillated between CBI Super Convert and the RCI Pike for most of this. Feeling the RCI had a stronger mounting setup and I liked the look of the Pike Bumper better

All the bumpers I listed seem to be great choices. I picked what was best for me based on my situation and personal preferences

 

[Romer]

I did look at the all dogs. R4t maybe? I really wanted at least a 2” lift up front so I would have maybe 1/2”-3/4” rake. Even a 1/4” would be fine. I just don’t want the front higher than the rear. Lol

no reason you can't do Alldogs rear or Dobsons or others. Springs need to be the same side to side, but no neccessarally front and rear

 

[Toyotimothy]

I have been running Toyo ATs for years. I have AT3's on both the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. They balance easy and I have never considered them loud

A friend of mine has those on his Chevy Silverado. He said he hasn’t had any issues with them. I am considering those or the Nitto trail grappler. Some say they are quieter than the Toyo. Those that have run both. Drawback is they’re not 3 peak rated.

 

[gofastdan]

I selected the RCI Pike Bumper With a Warn EVO VR 10-S winch.

• I liked the look of this bumper the best
• This has beefy secondary brackets.
• Install Video and Instructions are very easy to follow
• Likely to line up better with my RCI Skid plates
• Decided to add a winch even though listed as nice to have
• Test showed droop added to suspension likely less than 0.25" for bumper and winch. Not something I will worry about
• I have a Light Bar in my TRD Pro style Grill, so did not want big gapping holes were big light bars go. The ones on this bumper are small and don't look like something is missing. If I wanted a Lightbar, either Victory or Cali Raised would have been higher in my list
• I oscillated between CBI Super Convert and the RCI Pike for most of this. Feeling the RCI had a stronger mounting setup and I liked the look of the Pike Bumper better

All the bumpers I listeed seem to be great choices. I picked what was best for me based on my situation and personal preferences

I think that's a good choice. Not sure if you need a front license plate in Colorado or not but if you do it looks like you might be able to keep it mounted in the stock location and still have winch access. It will cover the RCI cut out but some will argue that's a good thing...

Please post pics once you get it installed. Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

 

[Romer]

I think that's a good choice. Not sure if you need a front license plate in Colorado or not but if you do it looks like you might be able to keep it mounted in the stock location and still have winch access. It will cover the RCI cut out but some will argue that's a good thing...

Please post pics once you get it installed. Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Thank you. I will post up when I get this installed.

I really appreciaated the thread on your install and your interaction here. I learned a lot from both!

 

[Toyotimothy]

I think that's a good choice. Not sure if you need a front license plate in Colorado or not but if you do it looks like you might be able to keep it mounted in the stock location and still have winch access. It will cover the RCI cut out but some will argue that's a good thing...

Please post pics once you get it installed. Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

I think you’ll be happy with the choice. I was between the same two bumpers for a while myself. Chose RCI for all the reasons you mentioned. Don’t worry about cutting. I would recommend a long blade saw though. I was going to use a 3” circular saw blade but it would not fit in the crevices of the bumper. Had to borrow one from a friend. Best of luck and yes post pictures

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