Front Bumpers, Winches and Lights-Thoughts, Opinions Experience, etc.

[CamperCamper]

I am looking for insight and opinions on front bumpers, winches and driving lights. I have looked but can't seem to find a decent thread on the topic.

I drive a 2015 Tundra and have pretty much boiled my decision on a bumper down to an Expedition One with the pre-runner hoops . I would like to consider ARB but am tired of waiting for them to come out with a bumper that will fit my truck. Besides, Expedition One is offering 20% off on all their bumper orders through the end of July so I should move quickly!

• Thoughts and opinions on bumper selection appreciated. What do you have and why?
• Considering Smittybilt winch-could wear out three before paying for the Warn
• Lights-Expedition One offers PIAA and Baja Designs for my truck-anybody with experience with these brands-light up trails, failures, life expectancy, etc. Looking at fogs for the ports and something on top-will accommodate up to 3 8" lights on top of bumper.

I am really having a hard time with the lights since I have never owned a truck with these types of lights. The reviews and videos are spotty at best.

Give us your opinions, post pictures etc! Thanks!

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I havent posted much here but have some experience with your query. I'm going to focus on your first paragraph although it sounds as if you've pretty much decided that you will be purchasing a bumper.

Bumper: I have an ARB Sahara mounted to my '96 Dodge Ram. I like it...a lot. I installed it myself without a bunch of drama.
Winch: Warn 15k. Works well. It's a beast, slow but steady. The Smittybilt I originally bought for it didn't fit.
Lights: IPF fogs fitted into the bumper (controlled by factory fog switch) with LightForce HIDs on the deck of the bumper.

Would I do it all again? Maybe not. I'd ask myself some really hard questions about my intended use and how often I would really use the items. The HIDs (or newer LEDs) are a no-brainer for me...absolutely! But the bumper and winch brought some unanticipated issues. Weight...I've chased front spring and steering issues since the installation. Granted, I'm driving an older 1/2- ton truck not really meant for that type of load. Count on an extra 250 lbs cantilevered out over the nose of the truck. The additional expense and headache of chasing those issues over the years has been frustrating. I've NEVER used the winch to pull myself out...others, yes.

What I'm getting at is to make sure you're really going to NEED those items versus WANTING those items. Take real stock of your planned use for the majority of your intended trips. If you think you "might" need a winch someday, then maybe consider a set or two of MaxTrax instead. Cheaper and LIGHTER. If I'm just blowing hot air here and you know you're going to get them, then you're lucky. There are a ton of outfits building parts for Tundras. Too bad ARB doesn't have your particular model year, they make great products that are well tested and certified. You might want to call or email ARB USA and ask them if they have a bumper for your application in the design pipeline. CBI out of Idaho also comes to mind. Google is your friend here.

As for Warn or other high-end winches...buy once, cry once. I'd stay away from low end winches. And while I like my HIDs I'd probably opt for the newer technology of the LEDs. Again, source from proven companies even if the price point is higher. You're often paying for the additional piece of mind and customer service that goes with it.

Looking forward to whatever you decide to do with your truck. Cheers!

Richard

 

[Happyjax]

For the newbie in the winch department......

Is a bumper and winch combination that much better than the mount that attaches to the receiver hitch? I would guess it would be more secure but is it stronger?

I like the idea of self rescue but I hope to avoid situations that would require it.....

Anyway it and many other things are on the table. Not sure they will make it to the rig but never hurts to ponder

 

[CamperCamper]

I am probably more interested in lights than in winches and a bumper seems to be a good place to mount them. I've never needed a winch but I have avoided places I wanted to go because I knew I would be knee deep in the big muddy if things went south.

Twice in the last year I found myself driving at night despite my best intentions and it was not much fun. I would have been a lot happier with more and better lighting both times. Seems the older I get, the more I need them. In March, I had planned on staying at a beach just south of Guerro Negro, MX. I found a nice spot on the beach and just when I started to set up, two coyotes showed up and "freaked out" the Mrs. She informed me that we needed a new campsite for the evening. We have seen plenty of coyotes but these two guys were a little off. Plenty of daylight left but they were there and just a tad bit odd. So, I beat feet for Catavina. I knew it was a bit of a drive and it would be after dark when I arrived but I wasn't too concerned since I knew the road. Unfortunately, the passes we needed to navigate (not really mountainous but at elevation) were fogged in and rainy and we were out there a lot longer than we anticipated. Add in a very late rising, and waning moon, no stars due to cloud cover and it was very dark out there in the middle of nowhere.

I don't plan to drive at night but life happens.

 

[craig333]

I"m still happy with my Hella 4000's Incandescent but who cares when they're running off the alternator. A couple cheapie HIDS round out the lighting. Weight was the number one reason I went with an aluminum winch bumper. Can't say I was impressed with Aluminess but it seems my experience may not be the norm. Its ugly but stout and should withstand a deer hit. I went with a cheap chinese winch and since I've yet to use it I can't weight in there yet.

 

[XJINTX]

Not sure if Warn makes one for your vehicle but I have the Warn Hidden winch bumper on my Super duty. I like the fact it keeps the actual bumper front of my stock look. With added fascia it's goes pretty unnoticeable I do not krawl my truck but it does see off road and some tough trails. I have never had an issue. The Warn mount is VERY tough and only the chrome steel from the stock is left. Thus far my winch has only been used to assist others. However, it's nice knowing I have if needed for self recovery.

 

[Squatch]

I'm going to echo Mighty Dodge Ram. I've had all the above and on my current truck have chosen not to add bumpers and such. Lot of weight on a 1/2 ton that's already carrying a camper. I did install a front hitch so I can use my winch there if needed. Or for storing my bikes and rack when camped.

I have a 9,500lb Superwinch on a Bulldog mount. I have yet to use it. Realistically I figure it will get more use on my property than in the field.

HJ A winch bumper keeps the winch tucked in higher and tighter than the front hitch. It also protects the truck. I winch in a front hitch works but it's not a full time solution to me for someone who winches a lot. Occasional use it's fine. You also need to decide if you are going to store the winch in the hitch or somewhere in the vehicle when traveling.

 

[Cayuse]

Before my desert trip this spring I had HIDs put into the stock locations on my Tundra. What a difference! I was incredibly happy with the lo beams and fogs, the hi beams not so much as there wasn't that much difference and there is the warm up time associated with HIDs. These pics are me going past a semi early in the morning on I-15 between Pocatello and SLC, My lights pretty well wash the semi's lights out. BTW, I also had them wired so the fogs stay on even when the hi beams are on.

 

[Happyjax]

I would guess one advantage of a receiver mount is you could use it on the front or back of the truck depending on the rescue situation?

 

[craig333]

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/fog_lamps/fog_lamps.html

 

[ntsqd]

Instead of a bumper might look into a "light bar" that will bolt to the OEM bumper and easily allow more lights.

I NEVER install fog lights. They are always "Auxiliary lights" though they very likely are a fog type of lens/reflector. The reason is that fog lights are only legal in KA to be on with low beams and I typically use them to "fill-in" the near stuff when the highs are on. "Driving lights" are only legal with the high's on, so I never install those either. Its all semantics, but it may become important if a LEO asks about your auxiliary lighting.

A trick that I saw used on a serious pre-runner with a lot of lighting was a master switch. It powered up the control circuits for the all of the light relays. Turning it off, like for on-coming traffic or lights in a trucker's mirrors, killed all of the secondary lights. Could turn it on, select the lights desired, and when needed turn them all off and back on with one switch.

I'm not a fan of LED lighting because the blue tint of the light looks "hollow" to me. Almost like its light, but not really LIGHT. Can't explain it any other way.
I have a set of HID's and a set of lights that were incandescent that are almost converted to HID. The difference between 100W incandescent and 35W HID in the same lens/reflector is impressive! Been thinking on where to mount the HID's on the camper. Up on the leading edge of the cab-over would be the most effective, but the mounting options there are limited or become a complicated fabrication for something we'll likely rarely use.

As to brands of lights, I've used Bosch, Hella, some ancient Dick Cepek's, and old school landing light bulb KC's. A friend has two sets of PIAA's that he really likes. I look to see what is used in off road racing or rally racing, both of which I see as a decent barometer of good lights vs. not good. Baja Designs has been used extensively in off road racing on both 2 and 4 wheels. As have Hella and KC. Rigid Industries has a good name, but I've no experience with them. Warn's lights are supposedly made by IPF, which has a decent name in lights (though mostly unknown in the Sates), but those that I saw were not impressive at all.
Some of Dan's "white pages" are OK, others I disagree with most or all of his points. I'll never buy anything from him as I got a serious run-around the one time that I did try to buy from him. I wanted a light that he carried, I wasn't going to justify what I was using them for to him.

Where a receiver mount winch gets iffy on strength is when pulling sideways. Trailer hitches aren't designed for that high of a torsional loading as a trailer just can't generate it. This is why most cradles have a max winch capacity limit. Getting battery power to the winch is not difficult, but does involve large cables and connectors. That expense multiplies if you want to run it at the rear.

 

[craig333]

My driving lights have a separate on off switch and the relays receive control power from the stock hi beams making it easy and quick to dim them if (rare) I'm running them on the pavement.

I agree with Dan about running fogs with high beams on the highway. Offroad is another story and yes, he can be a pita to deal with.

 

[Stalking Light]

I have a pair of Rigid Dually 'ditch lights' mounted on my hood by the windshield on a separate switch that are handy offroad. I also have ARB lights on my front bumper and one is a driving light and one is a fog light. They only come on when the hi beam is on and have a separate switch also.

 

[PJorgen]

Daniel Stern is the man! He really knows lighting and won't steer you wrong.

Another great forum for learning about lighting is candlepowerforums.com in the automotive lighting section. Lots of solid reliable info there. But be warned - the moderators are pretty harsh on newbies asking dumb questions and if you even remotely suggest something the slightest bit illegal they will be all over you.

Something I learned there is that most of what is available in aftermarket lighting is JUNK. Cheap stuff throws out a ton a light with a lot of scatter. Looks great but actually makes it harder to see. Cheap Chinese light bars are the worst!

I'm looking at a pair of JW Speaker TS4000 aux driving lights. Excellent quality at about $500/pair. Truck Lites makes good stuff too.

Good luck.

 

[CamperCamper]

Thank you to all who have contributed to this topic so far. There is a lot of very good intel here and much to think about!

 

[Advmoto18]

All those things are budget dependent...

Having said that:

I went with a TrailReady front bumper. I don't think they are making a bumper for '14 and later. Not sure why TR and ARB aren't producing them to date. Toyota front of truck design limitations?

Warn winch with Spydura synthetic rope. Warn shackles. ARB largest tree saver.
Factor 55 ProLink.

4x Rigid Series E series 4" lights in the bumper, 2 floods, 2 spots.

 

[Stalking Light]

Might be that the Tundra is primarily a North American truck?

 

[Advmoto18]

Might be that the Tundra is primarily a North American truck?

Trail Ready bumpers are made in Idaho. ( I think, NW for sure).

 

[trikebubble]

I am in similar boat. I just moved from a built Xterra (with ARB bumper and Superwinch TS 9500) and have bought a 2014 Tundra. My initial plans are for suspension and tires, but some sort of winch capable bumper will be going on at some point. Lightweight is a new thought. The Superwinch on the X served me very well, never let me down, so if a larger one fits ill likely look hard at that brand again.

 

[Stalking Light]

Trail Ready bumpers are made in Idaho. ( I think, NW for sure).

CBI makes a nice bumper and they're in Idaho too but don't make them for the Tundra. What I meant is that most of what I call North American trucks never get on a dirt road except in a commercial so maybe they don't see a market. I know I've never seen a Tundra on the trail.

Marketing decisions aren't always right but they determine what products you see.