Plate bumper vs Grill Guard

I'm definately on a budget. My son's college fund gets most of my money. It's mostly for street use and from what I've seen I'm really leaning towards the standard plate. I need a second job to help pay for all the ideas I have.

 

personally id get a set of bilstein 5100's from DSMS and some new coil springs. (id recommend eibach but i cant seem to find them for a 2012). if you also want a little lift in the rear get an aal and crank up the bilsteins in the front a bit, if not the new coils should handle the bumper and keep a good height.

 

also dont only upgrade the front, upgrade the rear shocks as well, otherwise the ride will be mixmatched and awful.

 

Got it. I was about to ask that. Thanks for the help. Would you recommend getting the shocks and coils before the bumper?

 

wouldnt hurt. less expensive than the bumper and you'll also have time to get used to the new suspension before you throw a bunch of weight on the front.

 

Will the new suspension make the ride rougher or keep it about the same? I eventually want to throw on a 3" lift. Will I have to change the suspension at that point as well or will this one work for that as well?

 

Brute force made mine but I dunno if he has one specifically for the 12.

 

if you do get bilstein 5100's you can adjust them from 0 up to 2 inches of lift i believe, depending on the coils you get (eibachs and ome 885?) give you 1.5. for the rear just get an aal or a set of ome dakars. do not get a spacer lift! or if you have the money do a full upgrade to icons or an ome kit. about the ride, some say its smoother, some say its rougher, youre just going to have to try it for yourself.

 

I hear you on the spacer. From what I've read they don't do much in the mechanical sense other than actually lift. Looks like I got some research to do. Again, thanks for the advice.

 

not a problem. i posted something about suspension upgrades a few weeks ago. that made up my mind pretty quick haha.

 

I'll look for the post and hopefully have the same result. @ Angus, I'll contact them and see what they have available for the '12.

 

You'll want stiffer springs to handle the extra weight of the bumper. If you install them before you install the bumper the ride will be rougher until you install one, and then it will even out.

 

I see what you're saying and makes complete sense. I could always wait until I have the bumper, shocks, and coils to install everything. I don't think my will power is that strong though, my truck is begging for some love.

 

I have an ARB and OME (Old man Emu) lift. Both the same company, I'm happy with the ride and frequently take it on road trips.

 

Do you guys think my son (14 months) will mind if I hold off putting into his college fund for a few months to pay for these mods? I'm sure he won't mind.

 

everythings ok as long as daddy has a sweet truck theres always ROTC.

 

I keep telling my wife that he can pay for his own school. Hell, I did and I turned out just fine.

 

Eventually I plan on adding front and rear bumpers. I will be looking at someone ( like Relentless Fabrications )who builds theirs out of aluminum so I won't have a rust issue to deal with. Although a light bar is quite a bit less expensive to deal with when your just getting started. So I plan on a light bar first then the bumpers when I can afford them.