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How do people feel about the new AEV bumpers?

That's fantastic and exactly what I want to hear about a bumper running north of 3k. My experience is that you buy once and cry once with this type of purchase. Around here I see many ranch hand bumpers and the like that just seem to corrode too fast.
 
Cant speak to the front bumper, but the rear bumper is well made and stout. The main “channel” iirc was 1/8” vs OEM bumper measured half the thickness. The “multi-stage e-coat and powder coat” should be durable against the elements, be resistant to peeling/flaking, and durable against light scratches. However like most any finish, It will scrape off if you drag it on rocks though and doesn’t offer “self healing” properties like galvanizing does.
My only concern is the tubular corner guard pipes. They provide a plastic cap for the open top, but I’d worry any moisture that gets in might corrode it from the inside out. I might drill a drain hole eventually at the low point of the pipe.
 
UglyViking said:
I saw the blogpost (https://www.hdrams.com/off-road-ready-the-2021-ram-2500-3500-aev-prospector/) about the new AEV grille guard bumper and new rear. It's the first time I've seen them on a truck without 40s and the flares. I am not sure how I feel about them yet, thought it may be a fun discussion.

How do you all feel about them?
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The AEV stuff is stupidly overpriced...but it is very good quality and great looking. You have to make the choice if the looks are worth the price. For me, I paid the price and really like the look, protection, and functionality it adds. Truck is stock height with no lifts or leveling kits. Still waiting on the winch that may show up before the world ends. 20220831_134546.jpg
 
UglyViking said:
I don't want to be a debbie downer here, but I'd be very surprised if that thing can take a hit from a big whitetail at speed without pulling out. I hope I'm wrong, because I dig the look of the bumper, but those bolts are pretty tiny. It may not be everyones preference, but I think I'd rather see that kit welded. Maybe someone with some experience can chime in to offer feedback. It looks like the two center mounts are still just single 9ft/lb bolts, but the side bolts are 30ft/lbs if I'm reading the instructions correctly.
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I felt the same way about the low bar being weak since they offer a support bracket to stabilize it if you mount lights to it. The brush guard has six very large bolts to tie it down on the corners, much, much larger than I was expecting. The brush guard feels pretty solid...only issue is the deer might just roll through the upper and lower bars and still go straight into the radiator.
 
Morrownc said:
The AEV stuff is stupidly overpriced...but it is very good quality and great looking. You have to make the choice if the looks are worth the price. For me, I paid the price and really like the look, protection, and functionality it adds. Truck is stock height with no lifts or leveling kits. Still waiting on the winch that may show up before the world ends. View attachment 44050
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Damn that truck looks tough
 
That's going to be fun to mount that winch when it comes in (ask me how I know ) after you installed the bumper. You're going to have to disassemble it again to get that winch back up in there. Like you, I couldn't wait and installed the bumper first....figured i can loosen it and slide the winch up there..NOPE.. BIG FAT NO...I paid for it..since it was me only..took me the whole weekend. Took longer to disassemble, put the winch in and then reassemble....again...what a PITA it was.
I pulled the trigger also on this brush guard. And installing as we speak. This truck is a money pit.
 
Wheelz said:
That's going to be fun to mount that winch when it comes in (ask me how I know ) after you installed the bumper. You're going to have to disassemble it again to get that winch back up in there. Like you, I couldn't wait and installed the bumper first....figured i can loosen it and slide the winch up there..NOPE.. BIG FAT NO...I paid for it..since it was me only..took me the whole weekend. Took longer to disassemble, put the winch in and then reassemble....again...what a PITA it was.
I pulled the trigger also on this brush guard. And installing as we speak. This truck is a money pit.
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I wasn’t gonna burst his bubble like that but you’re right
 
Man that look tough. You need to swap to night edition headlights like I did and hit those U things on the grille w black paint
Illymost said:
Had a shop install the bumper today. Happy with it, but I do think it would look better with 37s. It seems to be sturdy enough for the little whitetails we have around here. Knock on wood.
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Illymost said:
Had a shop install the bumper today. Happy with it, but I do think it would look better with 37s. It seems to be sturdy enough for the little whitetails we have around here. Knock on wood.
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Not gonna lie, I wasn't sure how it would look without the flares and especially with a dually but it fits really well. As to your point about it looking better with 37s, doesn't everything look better with 37s? It would look even better with 41s ;)
 
so i have an odd request from someone who purchased the grill guard separately. could you hold it up to a oem bumper to see how it aligns and post a picture? i am really not a fan of the large gap between the bumper and the lights especially for how much this thing costs. it looks like they took a bumper designed for an earlier model and just made it fit.. but i really like the look of the grill guard and wonder if there is a way i could adapt it to fit the oem bumper. i understand it would be purely appearance, im not interested in comments on functionality just curious if its possible. i know they say on their site it isnt but the lines of their bumper sure look similar.
 
Drumminguy81 said:
so i have an odd request from someone who purchased the grill guard separately. could you hold it up to a oem bumper to see how it aligns and post a picture? i am really not a fan of the large gap between the bumper and the lights especially for how much this thing costs. it looks like they took a bumper designed for an earlier model and just made it fit.. but i really like the look of the grill guard and wonder if there is a way i could adapt it to fit the oem bumper. i understand it would be purely appearance, im not interested in comments on functionality just curious if its possible. i know they say on their site it isnt but the lines of their bumper sure look similar.
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Hopefully someone can help you out. One thing to think about is that guard is $1,600, and while it can probably be adapted, you would surely be better off finding a local shop with a tube bender that could fab something for a fraction of the cost.
 
Drumminguy81 said:
so i have an odd request from someone who purchased the grill guard separately. could you hold it up to a oem bumper to see how it aligns and post a picture? i am really not a fan of the large gap between the bumper and the lights especially for how much this thing costs. it looks like they took a bumper designed for an earlier model and just made it fit.. but i really like the look of the grill guard and wonder if there is a way i could adapt it to fit the oem bumper. i understand it would be purely appearance, im not interested in comments on functionality just curious if its possible. i know they say on their site it isnt but the lines of their bumper sure look similar.
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It bolts to the top of a bumper that sticks out 10” how would it bolt to a bumper that sits flush with the front of the grille?

It won’t work, not even close. It would have to float out in front of your truck
 
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Here is a downward pic showing the low tube. The large tube mounts with the center two feet in the same locations. You can see how far out it would be “floating in air” in front of the stock bumper. The aev bumper has frame extensions and sticks out 10”

The tube is 3” dia for ref. There is probably 4-5” between the grille and the tube.

BFF930AF-C300-4313-80E7-AF0931867384.jpeg
 
Rockcrawlerdude said:
Here is a downward pic showing the low tube. The large tube mounts with the center two feet in the same locations. You can see how far out it would be “floating in air” in front of the stock bumper. The aev bumper has frame extensions and sticks out 10”

The tube is 3” dia for ref. There is probably 4-5” between the grille and the tube.

View attachment 44597
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great point, i had not seen the bumper from the angle showing how far it sticks out.. youre right that doesnt look like it would work at all. worth a shot i guess..
 
Morrownc said:
The AEV stuff is stupidly overpriced...but it is very good quality and great looking. You have to make the choice if the looks are worth the price. For me, I paid the price and really like the look, protection, and functionality it adds. Truck is stock height with no lifts or leveling kits. Still waiting on the winch that may show up before the world ends. View attachment 44050
Click to expand...
Thanks, your pic answered a question for me. It seems ALL other pics show after market fender flares and I was wondering what it would look like with the OEM. Just fine. Thank you...
 
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