Brush - deer guard for Isata5 Ram5500

[Invisibleman]

After traveling one twilight I believe Rt-70 in Ohio (not certain), a less than wide two lanes with lots of 18 wheelers, and literally seeing deer standing along the side, and a carcass every mile or two, I've been seriously considering a front end guard (brush guard / cattle guard). I've ruled out an entire front bumper guard assembly as adding too much weight. I've zeroed in on the LUVERNE 311033-321334 Prowler Max. I looks pretty rugged polished stainless steel so decent look on my Ram5500 Isata 5. The only thing I'm not real keen on is the rather flimsy looking horizontal headlight protection. Ranch Hand Legend looks beefier, but it does not appear to be available for the Ram5500, and only in black. Would like to hear any experience with guards. I've read other areas of FR forum and the comments are mixed. All i can say, is I'm not doing any twilight driving again without something extra upfront.
https://www.luvernetruck.com/part/311033-321334

[MToffroad]

Custom bumper by the local machine shop. It's a Montana thing. The roadside critters must get kickback from the local body shops. Usually at least one a week gets hit around here. Light weight grill guards seem to just spread the damage to the front end over more of it.

[johndjmix]

Buckstop bumpers. Nothing better out there. Hit a deer at 50 and it didn’t even scratch the truck.

—john

[Invisibleman]

That custom and the Buckstop are both HD looking. It seems the best protection is a full bumper/guard. The other so called "grill guards" The bolt on the frame but leave the OEM bumper appear pretty rugged, at least specs (2" tubing) and are half the cost of the full bumper. One thing notably missing is the support weld/attachment on the farthest outer points, which would seem like a potentially likely point of impact.

[Invisibleman]

So here's a picture of a really nice bumper that I happen to see on Yellowstone it's on a 3500 ram but it's pretty nice anybody have an idea as to what that is?

[MToffroad]

Believe it could be a Ranchhand Bumper.

[Invisibleman]

I was thinking that, but have to contact them Monday because they don't seem to have anything for a ram 5500 at least on their website.

[Dirt Sifter]

Pack a heavy weight guard all over and maybe never need it. Or a light weight one that has to be replaced with the rest of the front end of your rig when you do hit one. Good insurance is cheaper in the long run.

[aircommuter]

I opted for the Buckstop, it will add some weight, anything that provides good protection will.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Invisibleman

After traveling one twilight I believe Rt-70 in Ohio (not certain), a less than wide two lanes with lots of 18 wheelers, and literally seeing deer standing along the side, and a carcass every mile or two, I've been seriously considering a front end guard (brush guard / cattle guard). I've ruled out an entire front bumper guard assembly as adding too much weight. I've zeroed in on the LUVERNE 311033-321334 Prowler Max. I looks pretty rugged polished stainless steel so decent look on my Ram5500 Isata 5. The only thing I'm not real keen on is the rather flimsy looking horizontal headlight protection. Ranch Hand Legend looks beefier, but it does not appear to be available for the Ram5500, and only in black. Would like to hear any experience with guards. I've read other areas of FR forum and the comments are mixed. All i can say, is I'm not doing any twilight driving again without something extra upfront.
https://www.luvernetruck.com/part/311033-321334

https://www.raneystruckparts.com/sem...AaArKhEALw_wcB

[Invisibleman]

I'm looking at Bodyguard 2T Extreme.

[mike.t]

Maybe?
https://www.raneystruckparts.com/dod...r-grill-guard/

[Invisibleman]

My number pick one so far is the BodyGuard T2 Extreme with expanded mesh in center grill, with the Buckstop a very close 2nd.
Bodyguard 2T Extreme ($2,161)
https://www.bodyguardbumpers.com/t2-...acement-bumper

Buckstop Classic 2 ($2,203)
Lower ventilation? Spoke to Clinton at Buckstop. Very helpful.
?No option for rock guard mesh in center section, unless custom
https://www.buckstopinc.com/products.html

Luvern Prowler Max (#311033-321334) ($1,432)
Not a full bumper. 2” polished stainless steel
https://www.luvernetruck.com/part/311033-321334

Steelcraft Elevation
Only goes to Ram3500.
https://steelcraftautomotive.com/hea...ufacturer_id=2

Herd Aero LT 2 Post Grille Guard (Only go as high as Ram3500)
Aluminum (Isn’t as strong as steel. Will dull/corrode) (Doesn’t appear to have enough vents)
https://herd.com/wp-content/uploads/...-for-Dodge.pdf

[MToffroad]

BodyGuard T2 Extreme with the proper options looks like it could be Montana worthy

[Invisibleman]

That's all I needed, thanks. They are fabed in Paris TX with a six week lead time. Bethany at Bodyguard hooked me up with a local off-road shop that will do the install. In fact they will pick it up at the factory, have it ready, and have me in and out in four hours. Texas hospitality. So, I've got my route planned.
BTW, the feed back in this forum probably saves me from making a big mistake.

[toshu]

Originally Posted by Invisibleman

That's all I needed, thanks. They are fabed in Paris TX with a six week lead time. Bethany at Bodyguard hooked me up with a local off-road shop that will do the install. In fact they will pick it up at the factory, have it ready, and have me in and out in four hours. Texas hospitality. So, I've got my route planned.
BTW, the feed back in this forum probably saves me from making a big mistake.

So what about weight? weight range depending on options shows 210-260. Whats the weight of the factory bumper and therefore whats your net weight gain with this add on????.....and you know that the LED spot lights and light bar are next.. ;-)

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by Invisibleman

My number pick one so far is the BodyGuard T2 Extreme with expanded mesh in center grill, with the Buckstop a very close 2nd.
Bodyguard 2T Extreme ($2,161)
https://www.bodyguardbumpers.com/t2-...acement-bumper

Buckstop Classic 2 ($2,203)
Lower ventilation? Spoke to Clinton at Buckstop. Very helpful.
?No option for rock guard mesh in center section, unless custom
https://www.buckstopinc.com/products.html

Luvern Prowler Max (#311033-321334) ($1,432)
Not a full bumper. 2” polished stainless steel
https://www.luvernetruck.com/part/311033-321334

Steelcraft Elevation
Only goes to Ram3500.
https://steelcraftautomotive.com/hea...ufacturer_id=2

Herd Aero LT 2 Post Grille Guard (Only go as high as Ram3500)
Aluminum (Isn’t as strong as steel. Will dull/corrode) (Doesn’t appear to have enough vents)
https://herd.com/wp-content/uploads/...-for-Dodge.pdf

The buckstop has the receiver on it. Body guard didn't seem to have a way to add one easily. Just sayin, maybe not for you.

[MToffroad]

Originally Posted by toshu

So what about weight? weight range depending on options shows 210-260. Whats the weight of the factory bumper and therefore whats your net weight gain with this add on????.....and you know that the LED spot lights and light bar are next.. ;-)

Was shocked that the factory bumper was so light. Just about a one hander. My custom bumper and the steel bumper/grill guard combos are heavy. I'll take the protection over the weight difference in the areas I travel.

[toshu]

Originally Posted by MToffroad

Was shocked that the factory bumper was so light. Just about a one hander. My custom bumper and the steel bumper/grill guard combos are heavy. I'll take the protection over the weight difference in the areas I travel.

Im guessing that it was primarily plastic molded.....like the rest of the "crumple zone" designs....

[Invisibleman]

What surprises me spending more and more time looking at the front end, is how exposed the radiator and what i am guessing is an oil or transmission cooler below that. The entire engine radiator only has a cheesy, stamped plastic front that I doubt would stop a tennis ball at 70 mph. I'm surprised they are not getting damaged often by road debris, rocks, whatever. That is one thing I liked about the Bodyguard. It seemed to have enough openings for cooling, yet has the mesh to keep stuff out. They even have an insert for the horizontal lightbar opening if you aren't using that (I won't) so you get the extra airflow. As far as a front receiver, I don't even know what that would be used for. I am curious.