Aftermarket bumpers on a 2.7

Has anyone here put steel offroad armor on their 4 bangers? If so how has the driving changed? I'm really looking into some aluminum options, but at nearly double the price it makes me wonder if 60ish pounds is worth it

 

I'm not pushing rocks, I do a lot of what some folks might call "overlanding" but without the name brand coolers and Instagram followers.
I need something to help push the branches and bushes out of the way a little better, and get a little more approach angle on the front. I figured aluminum would be good enough?

 

Sandbags are what, 50lbs? Add one under the hood or in the cab and see how it feels. Likely not much of a difference

 

I have abused an aluminum bumper for 6 years and it's held up to quite a bit. Aluminum can handle it, it's if your wallet can handle the premium cost.

 

I actually thought about that, adding 2 to simulate a steel bumper, maybe ill just try that

 

The problem is a Bumper adds the weight in front of the front tires which multiplies the effect on the front suspension and it has more of a negative handling effect than adding the weight in the cab or under the hood. Adding 60 pounds in the cab won't be noticeable but hanging it off the front will, especially since Pickups are very nose heavy. Not saying what you should buy but the 60 pounds isn't the issue, it's where you would be placing it.

 

Good point. There’s so much space between the grill and radiator, perhaps you could place it there

 

To be honest, I've been thinking of adding a heavy rear bumper just to level the truck in the rear. After building a weight Box (150 pounds) to lower my rear I was shocked at how much better my truck handled when I shifted the weight from behind my rear wheels to in front of the rear wheels. I think they call it Polar Movement when you add weight in front of the front wheels or in back of the rear wheels.

 

bull bar