If you're still rocking the stock setup on your truck, the new gen 1 raptor bumper has become the single best upgrade you can make to change the whole vibe of the front. Let's become real for a second—the original the year 2010 to 2014 SVT Raptor is definitely an overall legend. It's the particular truck that basically started the manufacturer off-road craze. Yet as great since it is, that will factory front bumper has always looked a bit well, large. It's a large piece of plastic material and metal that hangs down lower than it needs to, also it definitely doesn't scream "desert racer" as much as the relaxation of the pickup truck does.
Whenever you start looking at aftermarket options, you recognize just how very much potential is hidden under that stock nose. A good bumper doesn't just make the particular truck look meaner; it actually shifts how the vehicle performs when you're out in the dirt. Whether you're hitting the dunes, moving through some clean, or simply want in order to stop looking like every single other Raptor within the parking lot, changing things up is usually the approach to take.
Why the Share Bumper Isn't Trimming It
The particular factory gen 1 raptor bumper was built to fulfill a lot of people. It got to meet security standards, look okay to the public, and be cheap enough for Ford to mass-produce. Since of that, it's got lots of "girth" to it. In case you look at your truck from the particular side, you'll notice the bumper weighs down quite a bit. This eliminates your approach position.
The approach angle is basically the steepest incline your truck can climb with no bumper hitting the ground first. In the event that you're off-roading plus you hit a steep wash or a big rock and roll, that factory plastic is usually the particular first thing in order to crunch. Beyond that will, the stock bumper is surprisingly heavy for what this is, plus it doesn't offer much in terms of installing points for the stuff all of us really want—like lights.
Choosing the Ideal Style for Your Build
Once you decide in order to swap it out there, you're going to run into two main "schools of thought" regarding style. You've got your pre-runner style bumpers and your plate-style bumpers.
The Pre-runner Look
The pre-runner style is arguably the most popular for that Gen 1. They are usually made through tubular steel. They will look lean, they're lightweight, and they will give the truck that "trophy truck" aesthetic. If a person want your Raptor to look enjoy it belongs in the particular Baja 1000, this particular is the path you go. These types of bumpers usually have got a skid dish that ties directly into the frame, providing you with a smooth surface area to slide over obstacles. The greatest part? You can see the auto tires from the front side, which makes the truck look significantly wider and more aggressive.
Dish Steel Bumpers
Then you have the plate steel bumpers. These are the heavy hitters. They're made out of pieces of flat steel welded together to create a solid, angular face. These are great when you're worried about deer or in the event that you're doing even more technical trail using where you might actually bash into some thing. They're tougher compared to tube bumpers, but they're also a lot heavier. You've got to keep an eye on the weight, because the Gen 1's front suspension (even with all those amazing Fox shocks) can simply handle so much extra poundage before it begins to sag.
The "Frame Cut" Decision
This is actually the big one. Whenever you're shopping intended for a gen 1 raptor bumper, you're going to notice some that are "bolt-on" and some that require the "frame cut. " If you're not prepared to take a sawzall to your truck, stay with the bolt-on things.
A bolt on bumper is precisely what it sounds like. You unbolt the one, bolt for the new one, and you're carried out. It's easy, it's reversible, and it doesn't require any permanent surgery on your frame. However, because it provides to work with the particular existing frame horns, these bumpers can't sit quite up to the more intense versions.
A frame-cut bumper requires you to definitely literally cut the ends of your truck's framework rails off. It sounds terrifying, I am aware. But by doing this, you permit the bumper to sit much higher up on the nasal area from the truck. This gives the overall best approach angle possible. It's the "pro" way in order to get it done, but keep in mind that will once you cut that frame, there's zero returning to stock easily. Most guys who are serious regarding off-roading eventually move the frame-cut path because the clearance gains are just too good to pass up.
Lighting Up the night time
Let's talk about lights, because let's face it, that's half the cause we buy these bumpers. The stock Raptor lighting is okay, but it's nothing to write home about. Most aftermarket bumpers are designed with lighting tabs or "cages" built right in.
You may usually fit the 40-inch curved lighting bar or perhaps a series of 10-inch bars right in the particular center. Some guys even go regarding the "radius" appearance where the light bar follows the curve of the bumper. Plus, you've usually got places on the sides regarding "pods"—those little rectangle LEDs that assist you view the edges of the trek. When you're deciding on your gen 1 raptor bumper, consider what kind of lighting setup a person want. There's nothing at all worse than purchasing a bumper and after that realizing it doesn't have the mounts with regard to the specific lights you've been thinking of.
Materials Matters: Steel vs. Aluminum
Most of the bumpers you'll look for are made associated with steel, usually DEM (Drawn Over Mandrel) tubing or cold-rolled plate. Steel is strong, it's simple to repair in case you dent it, plus it's generally more affordable. The downside is usually the weight plus the potential for rust if the powder coating gets chipped.
Nevertheless, there are some high-end aluminum options around. Aluminum is awesome because it's incredibly light. Maintaining the off the particular nose of a Gen 1 is a huge deal for dealing with. The less pounds you have dangling off the front, the better your shock absorbers will perform whenever you're hitting lumps at speed. The catch? Aluminum will be usually much more expensive and harder to weld if you ever have to make a restoration.
Don't Overlook the Skid Dish
A bumper is only about half the story. The gen 1 raptor bumper usually functions in tandem along with a skid dish. The stock Raptor has a decent silver skid plate, but many aftermarket bumpers come with their own. Make sure the one you're looking at offers easy entry for your oil filter and drain plug. There's nothing more annoying than having to remove a 50-pound bit of steel every time you would like to change your oil. Some designs have got a little "door" or a cutout specifically for maintenance, that is a total lifesaver.
What About the Rear?
While we're speaking about the front, don't forget that the rear bumper on the Gen 1 is also a bit of a weak spot. It hangs low and the "dovetail" look is very popular at this time. The lot of men want to match their particular front gen 1 raptor bumper along with a high-clearance rear bumper. If you undertake go for a high-clearance rear, you usually have to "dovetail" the bed, which means cutting the lower corners of your rear quarter panels. It's a dedication, but man, does it make the vehicle look like the dedicated desert racing.
Final Ideas on the Update
Investing in a gen 1 raptor bumper is definitely one of individuals things you won't regret. It's a functional upgrade that also happens to make your truck look like a total beast. The particular Gen 1 Raptor is a classic, also it deserves to look the component. Whether you go for a simple bolt-on tube bumper or the full-on frame-cut dish bumper, you're going to spot the distinction the next period you're out on a trail.
Just be sure you do your research on the installation process. If you're doing the work yourself, grab a buddy and some heavy-duty jack stands. These things are awkward to hold in position while you're looking to line upward bolts. But once it's on and those LEDs are wired up, you'll be looking regarding any excuse to take the long way home—preferably through some dirt.