I've been researching bumper/winch options and I have it narrowed down to two choices.

I'm leaning toward the DeFelice Offroad Innovations (DOI) bumper option. I called them yesterday and they said the bumper was about 40 lbs and what you take off is 20 to 30 lbs, so it is a 10 to 20 lb weight increase. It does not reduce the approach angle and it looks close to the original bumper. DOI mounts the winch with the feet forward, so the winch load causes compression between the winch and the bumper instead of shear in the bolts. Some bumper designers believe that it is better to have the feet down and the bolts in shear. I guess it is better from the bumpers stand point, but I was taught to always avoid shear loading bolts if possible, so I think DOI has it right. Also, DOI aligned the winch pull with the frame and the tow hooks to avoid bending the frame. With the DOI bumper you need to use the factory none Alpha front skid plate.

The other alternative I'm considering is the ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. The ARB bumper provides protection to the front of the truck, but it is 120 to 132 lbs or about a 100 lb increase. It is also more expensive, it would need to be painted to match my truck $$$ and the stock fog lights do not fit so you need new fog light$. One thing I don't like about the ARB bumper is the skid plate doesn't fit flush to the bumper on the sides, but maybe if you used the factory none Alpha front skid plate it might fit better? Also the ARB directions say to remove and discard the skid plate support brackets from the corners, which seams a little disconcerting. Finally the ARB installation requires cutting the plastic fenders and radiator air damn, so if you ever want to go back to stock you would need to replace these parts.

I appreciate any comments, suggestions or alternatives that anyone may care to provide.

 

OK, my previous post only addressed the bumper (despite the title) so now I'll address the winch.

According to DOI and their bumper will accommodate Warn M8000, M9000, XD9000 or the T-Max EW9000. Note: the M9000 is no longer listed on Warn's web site so I assume it is obsolete and the new Warn 9.5xp with its improved thermal performance will not fit in the DOI bumper (I called and confirmed this with DOI).

Of these winch options I am leaning toward the Ward XD9000 because Warn has been around for a long time and they have a very good name. It also helps that I know for certain that it will fit in either bumper option.

According to the Warn XD9000 specs http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/src/XD9000.shtml it weighs 78 lbs with 100' of 5/16" steel cable and a roller fairlead. By switching to synthetic line and an Aluminum Hawse Fairlead I can reduce the weight by 15.3 lbs and 11.5 lbs respectively (see http://www.winchline.com/faq.htm). This reduces the winch weight from 78 lbs to ~51.2 lbs.

When I combine the 51.2 lb winch with the 10 to 20 lb DOI bumper I'm only adding 62 to 72 lbs to the front, whereas the ARB Bull Bar will be 170 lbs to 183 lbs. Can you tell I'm leaning toward the DOI bumper and the Ward XD9000 winch?

 

I like the DeFelice setup, it would be my choice. I really like that it has a nice full body skid plate package that all bolts together with it. Keeping the original approach and depart angles is also a great feature, hard to find fault with this setup. It has been reviewed and tested by a 3rd party which is a bonus. I think you have seen this link, but for anybody else interested this is a great article on it: http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbu...nch/index.html

But I also think the ARB is equally as good; the nice thing about ARB is a lot of guys have them now and run them with few problems. With it being in the market for a while now it is the solid choice for anybody who wants to give the front a bit of a facelift.

Tought choice, but I think either one will make you happy.

 

Thanks for the comments Sugarphreak.

I started worrying that I was dithering too long and I wouldn't get the winch and bumper before our desert trip late next month, so I pulled the trigger and ordered the DOI bumper, E&G classics fender flare and skid plate from Teakatoys.com. Then I went to gowarn.com and got a great price on the XD9000 winch.

Now I need to order the synthetic winch line and Hawse Fairlead. I looked at the amsteel line on amazon.com but decided to go with Viking Offroad at winchline.com for better technical support.

Hopefully I can receive all this and the Slantback topper in time to get it all installed before our trip next month.

 

Sorry I'm throwing this out late but here's a thought for anyone else who may be considering a winch setup. I've been seeing some interest so I may do a run of these.