I need a little guidance. Trying to prioritize my next steps on my truck. I have two different projects but I have a feeling their level of importance is equal. Looking for some more experienced people to provide advice.

Project number one would be a heavy duty rear bumper. I’m not so much worried about departure angle, I’m more worried about not having a rear recovery point at this time. I don’t have a trailer hitch, so that’s not an option.

project number two would be armor. Rock slides and diff guards. I definitely don’t want to damage the body or punch a hole in either diff.

Which would you deem more important? Unfortunately I can’t do both projects right now. Gotta choose one and save the other for later.

as always, thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

 

That's a tough one. I'd have to lean towards the sliders and diff guards but that's mainly due to the lack of bumper options that I could live with that are on the market (I dislike just about all of them). And I'm sure a custom one is going to run you more than a Lucky 8 or TF. Plus if you want a tire swing out down the road it might serve you well to go the custom route. I'm unsure of who made my rear bumper but It appears to be a fairly simple design and has proven to be quite robust. You can see on mine the rear quarter panels have been trimmed quite a bit so departure angle is greatly improved. Only complaint about this bumper is I wish there was straight away recovery points...tho I do have a trailer hitch so I carry a hitch mounted recovery point.

I do hit my rear bumper more often than the diffs or sliders but when I do make contact with the diff or sliders it is usually a much more serious impact (*** end is always sliding off of ledges vs getting slammed).

 

Yeah ive never seen that bumper before. Looks like a custom. Agreed, bumpers are seriously slim pickings. RTE's is probably #1 on my list but that's so much more expensive that it's hard to justify. I think I'm leaning more towards sliders and diff guards because where I'll be MOST of the time is more rock than mud. Can't really see using my ****** strap as often as other parts of the country. Just don't want to be that donkey who can't get help or help someone else...

 

There should be a loop on each frame rail that should act as a recovery point in a pinch. I'm not sure that I would fully trust them for dynamic pulling but should handle normal winching operation just fine (unless you are really wedged in there good). One of mine (possibly both) have been mashed flush against the frame however lol

 

Guards under armour for sure.
How often do you need to get pulled from the rear

 

You could pick up a used tow hitch, the factory one was pretty robust. I did that, I never tow anything but it is great to have there both for rear end protection and something to hook onto.

 

Whowa004 yeah I would use them in a pinch but def wouldn't trust them!!!

redwhitekat I concur. That's what I'll do. Thanks. Haven't been pulled from the back...yet. But also want to be able to pull a buddy. But my priorities will be armor.

Dave03S I'll look into that for the time being.

 

the trailer hitch is a great idea to add. I takes the brunt of most impacts when the rear drags off things.

 

How do you use it and where do you go? Maybe that will lean you in a certain direction.

 

Sliders and diff guards ordered. Shipped today!